The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-04
DEFEAT
FOR COMMISSION
AND PETTUS COUNTY
EnSIey May Win and HeAin's
Position viii Probably
Be Maintained
RETURNING PILGRIMS
GOSSIP ABOUT TRIP
All Agree That Governor Conner Is
Still In the Saddle and That
What He Says Goes
With Legislature.

| Returning pilgrims from Montgomery
last night brought echoes of what
seemed to be the death knell of the
commission BILL the Ensley annexa-
ton, the Pettus county and the bill
abolishing the office of Jefferson coun-
| ty solicitor. The fight against these
measures Is so spirited that their life
is feared, In fact. the temperature for
the past few days has been far above
normal, and many declare that there is
no hope for their recovery. Such was
the rumor which came up on the Louis
Vile and Nashville night train.
People who think that Conner is
dead had better go down there and
pered one politician.
ut is right foot, left foot, fall in
line and they do it so easily that the
big boss can go off to enjoy a duck
hunt without any fear whatever"
The opposition to the commission bill
was increased considerably yesterday
| by the rivalry which sprang up be-
tween it and the Greater Birmingham
bill. 1t seems that Urquhart, the au-
|
nered by the Greater Birmingham lob
byists, and his reply was Il am In
favor of the bill and hope 1t will pass,
| but my campaign pledge to allow all
the suburbs vote on annexation still
holds good and I will have to vote
against Greater Birmingham so long
| as Ensley Is included in the bill"
This spread through the capital and
several of the strongest men in Mont
gomery, men with a great deal of in
! fuence, are said to have boldly de-
| clared their enmity to the commission
bill. "rI take off my coat and fight
the commission bill If Urquhart pro-
| poses to pass us up in that manner"
is the way they are quoted
While the commission bill will no
doubt go through the house, Henry B.
| Gray has the guns loaded and leveled
| In the senate. The lieutenant COVER
nor is most intent upon the passage
of the Greater Birmin CHAM bill and the
| defeat of the commission bill and he
has much strength.
Ensey May Have Won.
| Some of the party on the train last
| night were of the opinion that the old
| King Greater Birmingham bill will be
adopted and that Ensley has won in
her fight to keep out. They say that
the lieutenant governor will not be
able to overcome the sympathy for
Ensley.
1t is reported that sympathy aroused
in having DIR. Ragsdale, the Bessemer
representative, who has to be carried to
the chamber, introduce the Pettus
county bill, will have some little infiu-
ence in the house, but none whatever
in the senate. The Pettus bill is con-
sidered hopeless.
At the hearing before the committee
yesterday afternoon the Tuscaloosa and
Shelby county delegations, aided by
big delegation from Birmingham,
made a strong fight. 1t happened that
Bessemer was of the opinion that
Sturdivant, the frocktailed representa-
tive from Shelby, was In favor of
their bill. and they saved him as a last
trump, hoping to turn the table. Much
to their chagrin. when he arose and
address himself at length, 1t was a OF
opposition speech and the Bessemer lob
byists sat with open mouths, while the
rake off seemed to be going the other
way. There was quite a laugh over
the incident
]. B. Arid, Frank Callahan and 9TH
ers are putting up such fight against
Colonel Johns bill to abolish the coun-
ty solicitors office that there remains
little doubt but that 1t will be killed.
Harrington Hefin is fighter, and the
fact that to some the bill is considered
a personal attack on Helm, makes 1t
a personal matter, in which this hur-
ried session will not choose to mix.
Borden Burr left his law partner, Walk.
err Percy, on the scene, and came home
last night. He said: The Greater Biz
mingham bill will no doubt pass, although
the Ensley citizens may win out In the
fight they are making. There seems to
be no disposition, however, to retain
Thomas In the bill, and the amendment
changing the line to leave out the Thomas
furnaces, the Tennessee companys mines,
and the 16O0-acre tract which the Repub-
lic company has reserved for steel mills
in the future will be adopted. They all
recognize that this is manufacturing land.
We were assured that this part Of the
bill will be changed"
John L. Parker spent the day in Mont
gomery in the interest of several bills,
and to watch the introduction of the
pharmacy bills. while at the capital
met most Of the representatives and sem
ators from the state, and they all volun-
teered the information that my candidacy
for lieutenant governor is being received
with approval in all sections of the state.
was given many assurances of support
and have every reason to feel confident"
1t now seems probable that Mr.. Parker
will have a clear field, as all who have
been discussed as candidates have an
aounced theis intention not to oppose him.
Shelby Is Optimistic.
j.. E. Shelby was more optimistic than
the average. Though they are putting
up an immense fight down there, I think
there is probability that the commission
bill and the big city will both go through.
The next week will see some very hot
fighting. Every vote will count"
T. c. Mcdonald said that while he
was interested in the passage Of the Pet