The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-06
GOVERNOR TALKS
TO THE COTTON MEN
Condemns the New York Cot
ton Exchange
HE DEFENDS NEW LAWS
v H. Seymour Is Again Elected Pres
ident of the Alabama Division of
the Southern Cotton Asso-
Observation-Disclosures
HE DEFENDS NEW LAWS

Montgomery, February 5-(speciaI)-
In an address before the Alabama d.
vision of the Cotton Association today,
Governor Conner defended the laws
passed by the last session of the legisla-
ture. condemned gambling in the pro-
ducts OF the farms, endorsed William ].
Bryan as the ideal candidate of the peo-
pie, made a plea for compulsory educa-
tion, urged the advantages and beauties
of farm life and encouraged the men and
women there to stay. He also said that
that gambling hell, the New York Cotton
Exchange, should be put out of business
The Governor was presented by Presi-
dent w. Fl. Seymour at the morning ses-
sion, in few remarks, chief of which
were to the effect that the executive had
always stood by the farmers. had en-
dorsed laws that would better their inter-
ests, and would be happy at any time to
do what he could to increase their inter-
ests The speaker was received with APP
plause and given hearty attention from
the first In fact, it looked as if he had
the good will and support of every man
in the audience from the enthusiasm that
followed what he had to say
After telling the farmers present that
they were the power in the state and have
the sense and manhood to use it, the
Governor took up the laws passed by the
recent legislature at has been said that
they are revolutionary" he said. ANY
way, we are going to stop gambling in
cotton, and If the Legislature had done
nothing else it would have been vast
service in suppressing the bucket shops.
We want also to stop that gambling hell,
the New York Cotton Exchange" The
Governor then quoted a number of acts
that have to do with the interests of the
farmers, and said that none of them fall
short of good to all.
Game and Fish Laws.
The game and fish laws were approved.
The speaker presented the beauties of
the country life, urging that they be in
stilled into the minds and hearts of the
children. The attention to the old sol
diers, the girls schools the school for the
boys, the educational advantages to all
the people that have followed, the bene-
fits of prohibition as he sees them, and
the necessity of having good white men 10
own and operate the farms, were recalled
as looked after by the legislature. He
said that many foreigners were going
back home because of hard times What
the state wants is men who will stay
here and help to work out it's salvation,
not get up and run when there is hard
times. The country high school law was
evidence that the state is doing a great
work for the children and the youth.
The Governor said that he believed that
from every home should run good road
to a school house. The boys should be
made to work, but he did not approve
of working a boy like a steer or ma
chine all the year yound. There should
be a law he declared. Ito make parents
send the boys to school. 1t Is our bust
ness to give every boy and girl in the
state a chance to get an education"
The speaker said he hoped that every
district would elect Bryan men to the
national convention. I'VE know that he
will carry out the will of the people, he
said This statement was given vocifer-
Gus applause.
In a discussion of the question of
states rights, the Governor said that
without state supremacy the common
wealth would go down. I'VE have been
trying to restrain the trusts he said.
Have you read the message of President
ROOSEVELT. 1t is a white mans mes
sage; it is for freedom" He also noted
that while a judge in Alabama had tied
UP a law for two and half cent rate
on the Western of Alabama, a Georgia
Judge had refused to tie up one for
two-cent rate in that state.
Railroad Dictatorships.
Referring to his fight for president of
the railroad commission, the Governor
said that the campaign against him had
been conducted from Louisville, where
railroad officers undertook to tell the
people how to vote. The advice was re-
fused. Are they our advisors? Are
they competent to give us advice?" he
asked. mot if we know ourselves. The
people should demand their rights. A
man tied up to a trust road will not do
to make our laws"
After the speech had come to an end,
the Governor was given hearty recep-
ton and continued applause. What he
said seemed to have gone deep in the
appreciation of the crowd, which in every
way possible showed how much it was in
sympathy with him.
Officers Are Elected.
At the afternoon session of the Alabama