The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-22
AMENDERS STILL
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Recent UtteranceS Are Acting
As BOomerangs
FARMERS ARE MORE ALERT
Hobson Will Not Appear in Huntsville
Because of Previous Engagement.
Further Reports from Coun-
ties Over State.
FARMERS ARE MORE ALERT
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.


tory of the state, and with a continu-
alton of their policy Of explanation and
personal abuse, the defenders of the con-
stitution, when the sun went down yes
terday, gave freedom to an expression
of keenest satisfaction.
Whereas it has been contended by those
in favor of amending the constitution.
and thereby endangering the homes of
the people, that Governor Conner, Judge
Weakley and Brooks Lawrence are not
issues in this campaign. the publication
yesterday of defense of the chief exeeu-
tive with a compilation of figures tends to
prove, the defenders contend, that be-
hind the entire movement Is politics-and
nothing more.
Farmers Are Awake.
There were no unusual developments
yesterday. Col. A. M. Shook. who has
residence in Nashville, issued a card in
favor of the scheme to amend the con-
stitution of Alabama. Capt. Richmond
Pearson Hobson. hero of the Merrimac,
passed through Birmingham, and de-
cIared that he could not meet A. Latady
In Huntsville Saturday night, as he had
arranged for a speaking elsewhere. He
agreed to appear in Birmingham Monday
night. Many are interested In the coming
of Captain Hobson as 1t has been init
gated by amendment leaders that he
will do what no other amendment orator
has yet done-argue away the danger to
the homes which the second section of
the amendment contains.
A thousand letters reached anti-amend-
ment headquarters during the day, and
as many more were sent away. Tho
most optimistic reports came IRON every
county in the state. The chance OF a
landslide against the amendment is con-
sidered very favorable. The farmers of the
state-the men who, more than any other.
love their homes-are aware of the danger
which the politicians and office-seekers
would hurl upon them, is assured.
Eighty per cent Of the rural vote, it is
estimated, will be cast against the
amendment. This means its deefat.
Blows in the Face.
The amenders have received several
blows directly in the face under which
they are staggering and the effect of
which they cannot counterfeit by policy
of personal abuse.
One of these was the speech Of Cover
nor Conner at Clanton. His utterance-
You know you'd be cowardly skunks if
you failed to stand by me and see me
indicated gone over Alabama llko
wildhre. The people from the country
write anti-amendment headquarters that
Corners speech at Clanton has beaten
the scheme in the rural districts.
Another terrific blow from which the
sion of Senator Henry F. Reese, their
leader, at Maplesville last Saturday.
That admission was in the following
language: Il am free to confess that had
l had the framing of the amendment
bill l would have arranged the second
section In such way ths lit would con-
tain no element of danger be homes of
the people,"
The admission of Senator ltv 2, who is
leading the fight for the amendment in
the Fourth district, that the second Sec
ton ends -ers the homes of the people,
has had y. feet
Another terrific blow was the failure
of Judge N. D. benson at Clanton to
argue away the danger to the homes
which Senator Reese admits the Sec
ond section of the proposed amendment
contains. In this connection Judge Dem
son, admittedly the ablest amender, and
until recently member of the supreme
court of Alabama, eyaded the point by
statingI I'm the second section there
Is no mention made of hoEie, or search
or seizure "
Another blow is the question plopound-
ed by anti-amendment orators every day
and which has not been answered by
Governor Conner or Judge Wealkley or the
Rev. Brooks Lawrence: IF you did not
intend to drive whisky even In small
quantities out of the homes of the peo-
pie. why did you not by a provision in
the proposed amendment expressly for
bid the violation of the sanctity of the
homer"
Another severe blow was the excep-
tionally able card of Col. Hilary A. Her.
bert, which assailed the amendment on
grounds of reason, and which, as yet, has
not been answered.
jackson Declines Invitation.
Other incidents of yesterday were the
publication Of rhyme by Orion I.
Dozier, M. D.. an amendment leader, and
well known physician. in which he took
to task the "old guard" of Alabama:
of the amenders, to meet P. G. Bowman
at the Hippodrome Sunday However,
Colonel Bowman will discuss the address
of Mr.. Jackson. which was Issued some
days ago, and which referred to those
opposing the amendment In most uncom-
plimentary style.
There were many excellent reports dur
Ing the day. ]. w. Denton of New Cas-
tie visited The Age-Herald to tell the
good news that in his section of Jeffer-
son the sentiment is practically unan-
imous against the proposed amendment
Ed L. Todd of Odenville, coroner of
St. Clair county, while in Birmingham
yesterday, reported st. Clair In good
shape, though close. He predicted an
anti-amendment victory by about 100
votes.
Ernest Lacey of walker county was
in the city and brought good news. He
states that there is no doubt but that
Walker will go against the amendment.
C. f. Striplin of Ashland wrote a glow
ing report of a speaking in that city
by Judge benson and Rev. Frank Gull
yer some days ago. He states that no
votes were changed and expressed sur.
prise that the enthusiasm aroused was SO
limited.
r. B. Kyle, the octogenarian Of Gads-
den, who has done so much toward the
upbuilding and development of Etowah
county, writes; Tell the people our de-
feat means slavery. and our success.
political quiet and further prosperity
Senator John Gamble of Pike reports
Pike, Coffee and Dale In good condi-
ton.
Governor comer's Effect.
Charles L. Henderson, president of the
railroad commission, writes from Pike
that Governor Conner in that county did
M damaoe He reporfS ton. mn eucour-