The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-08

At the state Convention in 1909.
Governcr Conner practically named the
Democratic state Committee. Not
many Of it's membership succeeded In
getting on who i aid not receive his
o. X. In some form or other.
1t was natural. therefore, that ON
yesterday his will should have domi-
mated the Committee. The large vote
In favor OF state primary for deis-
gates to the National Convention and
for the nomination OF two Supreme
Court Judges was virtually reelection
Of his decision. He wanted It that
way. and that way 1t went, in spite Of
the superb argument in favor Of county
primaries ana state Convention by
Messrs. Jsffries and deGrarfenreid.
Facts. logic. expediency. wisdom. do
not often stand In the way of the Cow
ernors sweet win.
1t Is reported that Governor Conner
until recently favored the Convention
plan. For some reason he is said to
have changed over to the primary plan.
It IL safe to say that there were strong
political and personal reasons. to the
Governors advantage in his own esti-
nation. What the reasons were for
this change may not be certain. but
there are surmises.
The Advertiser ventures some sur
misses. which may or may not be con-
elusive. Let them be taken for what
they are worth.
The Governor keeps his ear to the
ground. He knows that business con-
ditions in Alabama just now have not
indicated his wisdom in legislation.
The people are not 50 much enamored
Of oppressive policies towards rail-
roads and corporations generally, as
they once were. The Governor. with all
his fondness for the dear people, has
been hearing the peoples rumblings
about things. He may have been
afraid to have a convention of their
representatives assembled just now. It
as the one In 1905. II might have been
bold enough to have passed resolutions
showing a diminution OF anti-raiIroad
ardor, and desire for saner measures
in the State and Nation. II there was
doubt as to what Convention might
do. the Governor may have given him
self the benefit Of the doubt Very
probably he was wise.
Then. again. the Governor Is reported
to be very anxious to have certain of
his friends go on the Supreme bench.
OF course, he wants to make that bal
anee wheel in the state government
an anti-corporation body. in lire with
my policies" If the Governor was
doubtful OF his supreme control OF
State Convention, he preferred to try
his luck with primary again in getting
his friends upon the bench. He wants
to keep himself before the people, and
with q general primary he can tickle
his vanity by continuing TO talk to
them on the stump, in season ana out
Of season. as he has lately been doing
under the guise of locating the high
schools. The Governor is confident Of
his power to keep the people under his
hypnotic spell.
Finally. Governor Conner may want to
keep his political machine In good
working order, SO that It will be
strong enough to hoist him into the
United States Senate. He wants to
keep every state and County leader IN
der the impression that He is 1t. II
he bosses the State Committee. II he
can name the delegation to Denver. If
he can dictate the new Justices Of the
Supreme Court, IL he can prevent the
people from expressing any sort Of
weakened faith in his greatness. he will
have done much for that machine.
Perhaps the Big Boss may have his
way this year. but 1t remains to be
demonstrated. The people may md
way even in q general State primary to
give some Indication thatJthe are not
SO sure he IS the Embodiment of all
political wisdom and capacity. There
might be some surprises. Let US
hope 30.