The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-02
Present Extra Session Will Prove
 Many Things
AMBITIONS OF MR. COMER
The Prohibitionists Claim to Have Things Going Their Way and Will Get All They Ask For-Speaker
 Carmichael Is Confident.
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, August 1.-(Special )-That the present extra session of the legisla- ture will largely determine the influence of B. B. Conner the future politics of the state, observant men are now confident. His very strength Is a dan gerous element, If he fail to use It with wisdom and discretion Recognized by the members as a man of strength he at the same time In large measure has their respect and confidence as a patriot lc lover of the state and it's people. He may build upon this, or he may lose the next few days.
 His denial of the report that he might resign to run for the United States Sem ate has had good effect. He could not have done that and maintained his self respect, much less the confidence of his people," said one of the leaders, and his friend. No amount of strength could have saved him from ignominious defeat if he had tried to make the race after such resignation" said another. who was of the opinion that he had no intention ever of retiring from the post to which he was elected by the people. This man and other men expressed surprise at his failure to deny 1t before he did.
 Race For Senate.
 If the governor runs for the Senate without violation of his obligation in as- stunning the head of the state govern ment-which no man really thinks for a moment he would do--he must secure the passage of a bill for a biennial session of the legislature, resign his position, which latter course he has said will not be pursued, thus, if race Is made at all, leaving two year sessions his only hope, if hope he has. By success of this movement there would be a session In 1913, in time to be out of the gover- norship year and yet be before the leg islature.
 And this very possibility Is having it's effect on the present session. There are men who believe that the governor is asking for biennial sessions to aid his own ambitions. and they are going to be against the move for this reason. This is so of men who really think that there should be two-year meetings and who would vote for them under other circum- stances. This extra session is an argu- ment for more frequent gatherings It Is thought by many that too much power Is put in the hands of the governor to be calling extra sessions at will. Not that they criticise this call, but the fear that calls of no good reason may be made if the habit Is formed.
 Amendment Is Lost.
 The belief is general that the biennial session proposition Is lost, that it will never get to a vote possibly. With 1t goes every opportunity of the governor to run for the senate. At the same time it gives him an opportunity to come out and say what he hopes to do. With a statement from him that he never intended to make use of the movement for any race of his own, and the further statement that he has no intention of making the race for the Senate at any time that would be made possible by any law that Is passed at this session, he would clear the way for the passage of the amendment. A close friend of the governor told him not to call this session, saying that he had everything to lose and noth ing to gain by it. Already that ad vice Is showing itself to have been good. There is a feeling in both houses and among his friends that politics and ambition ran too close to necessity, and they are going to get fin the way of 1t, quietly, but none the less eff fectively, to head 1t off. It may be un- fair, in the face of the record of the governor, to say that he has called the session for politics, but the belief that he was In a measure influenced to do so is running through the legis- lative mind to the detriment of legis- lation.
 Prohibition Programme.
 The prohibition programme for the coming week Is going to be strenuous. Besides the bills already in the con- stitutional amendment feature will be introduced in the house tomorrow, and later on a general bill to prevent many things, among them advertising of any goods that cannot be sold without vio- lation in the state. A measure to con trol soft drink places will come along too, making three in all. With the oth CTS, these will make up the list so that the many sides may pull off coats back off and make the fight, the great fight that Is expected.
 AS 1t looks now constitutional pro- hibition will pass. There Is some fear of the senate, but 1t Is regarded as safe to predict success there. The house is thought to be In line by a good majority. All the forces of the legislative department and the office of the governor are behind the move to make anti-liquor laws organic. The safe and sane movement has set the woods afire and the men who feel that the good name of prohibition Is at stake swear to let no law fail that tends to show how much In earnest they are. We have the cloth and will cut the coat" is the significant state ment of Speaker Carmichael. acknowl- edged to be one of the leaders per AAr