The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-10
GOVERNOR COMER DELIVERS ADDRESS Speaks Before Large Audience
 At Scottsboro DEFENDS ADMINISTRATION Denies Charge That Pension Money Has Been Misappropriated-says Administration Has Busted
 the Treasury.

Scottsboro September 9-(Special.)- .)-Gov. B. B. Conner came to Scottsboro from Huntsville last night and spoke at the college to large audience. He entered into an elaborate defense of his adminis tration and explained his official actions from the time he went into office up until the present, and said that unless the pro- hibition amendment to the constitution is adopted the next or some succeeding leg islature might repeal the prohibition laws now in effect in Alabama and again turn the state over to the liquor interests.
 He pleaded for support for the constitu- tional amendment He was given close attention, but no enthusiasm was shown elected by the democrats of Alabama on a platform the last item of which had been drafted in the laws of the state. He said that Jackson county's representa- lives, Armstrong and Benson, had stood by him, and if there was any one in this county who does not approve they should lay part of the blame upon their local lawmakers.
 The equalization of taxes was cited as one of the accomplishments of the Conner administration.
 Then he went on to explain where the money had gone, and list of the appro- priations made by the legislature was read. ''The money has been well spent" he said, and we have secured results
 Anent Pension Fund.
 He showed some spirit in his denial of the charge that the pension money due the old soldiers had been misappro priated. He said the legislature had increased the pension fund by s350.OO0. and went on to tell what each class received as an in- crease over previous years. He said that the old soldier had received all that is due them and those who dispute this are demagogues and don't know what they are talking about. He invited an exam nation of books and reports of the true facts. and offered to pay out of his con tingent fund the expenses of any commit tee to Montgomery.
 Condition of Treasury.
 He said the administration has busted the treasury and he is glad of It. The money has been invested among the peo- pie and the state has been elevated to high plane He said the teachers and old soldiers stood as good chance to get their money as he did his salary.
 He expressed pride In his fight on the railroads.
 He pointed to little cold water templer badge pinned on his lapel by some good woman somewhere in his round. and re- ferred to the fact that he had been elect ed by the democrats on a local option platform, but when the legislature called up the prohibition question by the neces- sary majority and passed the statewide law he had to line up with whisky or temperance forces and chose the latter He did not care to pit his judgment
 Rev. Wasson Speaks.
 Governor Conner was accompanied to Scottsboro by the Rev. S. F.. Wasson. pastor of the Methodist church at Hunts vile, who was introduced by the Gov ernor at the conclusion of his speech. The Rev Wasson spoke an hour and was given close attention. MT. Wasson Is fluent speaker and made a red hot pro- hibition speech. during which he did not forget to pay his respects to the Adver- tiser and The Age Herald; also the Safe and Sane" Leon McCord. as he termed him. He also spoke of the "hook-nosed Isrealite" from down in Mobile He said if any in the audience did not know where the little town was that he would say it was little sandbar down at the tail end of the state.
 He tossed a number of bouquets at the governor, and said that his name as prohibition governor would be more last ing than if carved in granite. He pre- dicted that the state would go for the amendment by so.O0O majority. and said that he would be one of the number.
 Immediately after the speaking the Gov ernor left for Canada to join his wife.