The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-24
O'NEAL INSISTS POLITICS
 IS BEHIND WHOLE FIGHT
WeakIey Says No Law He Ever Wrote Has Been Declared Unconstitu- tional-Attacks O'Neals'
 Personal Record.
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.

Sheffield September 2S.-(Special )-Em- met O'Neal and s. D. Weakley flew at each other as soon as the crowd had gathered around and the clashing of gaffs was continued for half a dozen hours and more
 O'Neall talked for two hours endeavoring to persuade the people that the proposed amendment to the constitution was bad. Weakley that 1t was good, and as side issues they attacked the records of each other and defended their own.
 There was not great crowd of the peo- pie gathered to hear the debate. Per haps eco were present. In the throng were large number of women and they wore the little bit of white ribbon which was seen so often during the recent pro hlpltion agitation. These women favored the candidacy of Weakley and his every remark met with rare reception from them. There was an occasional waving of handkerchiefs.
 Crowd Limited But Patient.
 But the crowd, though limited in num- bers, was patient. They heard ONeal without murmur. There was then a recess and they gathered again to hear Weakley- His talk was as long as O'Neal's. Neither seemed willing to lose precious moment. Then there was an- other recess. On recongening the people heard O'Neals rejoinder
 It was bitter day. When the debate began 1t was exceedingly chilly Before Weakley concluded in the afternoon a desultory sprinkle fell It was compli- ment to both speakers and testimonial | n a |, frt.4 the constitution has aroused.
 O'Neal went 10 the marrow of the nrnn osition Fa ana .-yze1 the prcposed aGtend- nlent and pointed out the danger which he declared confronted the state. He took the administration to task in no uncertain terms and carried the battle Into the territory of Weakley.
 WeakIey Candidate.
 He maintained often that Weakley, who framed the drastic legislation is a candi- ] date for governor He charged the ad- m1nstration with having called the extra ordinary session and promulgated the amendment in order that there might be an issue on which Weakley might ride into kingdom. He flayed Brooks Law renee and paid his compliments to Conner and to Comer's legislature. There was during the speech of O'Neal much cheer Ing from those who are opposed to the amendment
 Weakley consumed the greater portion of his argument in assaillng the political record of ONeal and in introducing to the public eye an old city ordinance of Florence prohibiting the sale of liouor in that city. an ordinance which the speak CT claimed was more drastic than the fuller bill and which he endea vored to cause 10 be understood was framed or 1athered or favored by O'Neal He con- ciuded his argument by a defense of tbe second section of the proposed amend ment, and endeavored to show that there was intended or planned no violation of the sanctity of the home. He declared that Section must be construed in har- mony with the commerce clause of tba 1ederal constitution and not in contra Ventlon Before concluding he carefully attended to the majority of the nojnts made by O'Neal, but he was very care ful not to refer to Conner nor to the legislature, nor to Brooks Lawrence. nor 10 the political parson, nor to any other thing which might be considered to DOS sess sem-political nature.
 He spoke at length on the excellence or prohibition and assailed the evil of whisky and the dive saloon. declarjng that these made up the present-day issue
 Judge Weakley affected the exhortation form of oratory and along with A polt- '~di opecCH, ne pTedCned a very fair ser mon. He made an especial play for the effect on the women He also men tioned the old soldiers. At the concIu- sion of his speech there was much cheer ing. The ladies and those gentlemen who came to the frolic armed with white ribbons crowded around him, took hold of his fingers and patted his chubby hand.
 Put Weakley on Gridiron.
 Tn hie ral,,,++oJ O,NaoI .ro+ ,..ux. to Judge Weakley. He put him on the gridiron The judge moved about in his seat impatiently, tapped his feet per- petually and often interrupted remarks At one time when the tirade of O'Neal became exceedingly warm he drew the air through his teeth several times nois- fly. He often glanced where the ladies sat and each time obtained their ap- proval. ''We are with you," was flashed from their eyes.
 When MI. O'Neal had concluded his speech there were cries for Carmichael. The speaker went up on the stage. There were then cries against Carmichals speaking. Judge Weakley then appeared and told the people that he thought would be treating O'Neal unfairly to send another opponent into the field and the crowd dispersed.
 An interesting portion of Judge Weak 1ey's speech was his reference to an editorial of the Memphis Commercial. appeal winch the speaker stated had as- saulted him unjustly and without found ation of fact He declared that the ed itorial was based on transformation sent to the paper by the liquor interests hav- ing headquarters at Montgomery
 Judge Weakleys remarks concerning the recent temperate convention in Mont gomery were exceedingly interesting. Al though he repeatedly referred to those opposed to the amendment as the whisky element he did not attack the personnel of the Montgomery convention and ms language as whole was parliamentary and dignifed
 Chairman Lauds Sheffield.
 H. F. Urquhart, formerly cashier of the American Trust and Savings bank of birmingham and now president of the Bank of Sheffield and of the commercial