The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-08-21
Greatest Of Political
Conventions Nears End

fered and they had a long. and perhaps
warm. talk, over pending legislation,
but there was no sort OF disturbance.
But now each 10 going his own way
and doing his own work, without re-
gard to the other. Until a week ago,
they were close personal friends and
strong political allies. but both men
are ''sot" In their ways and the inevl-
table break came.
All OF these big political doings date
back to the call for the extra session
Of the Legislature. At that time Mr..
Mallory had, to all intents and pur-
poses. q clear field, with the goal OF
the qovernorship In plain sight. The
Governor and the Anti-Saioon League
Superintendent were, politically, Da-
mon and Pythias. The Anti saloon
League wanted certain prohibition leg
islation. particularly constitutional
prohibition. The Governor wanted GER
tain legislation. particularly biennial
sessions of the Legislature, which
would have cleared the way for his be-
coming a candidate for the United
States Senate. -.
The call for the extra session was 80
arranged that the opponents Of the
proposed legislation had only a week
to do any work to try to stop things.
oAd gave inc GfoVeTnOT ana
the Anti-Saloon League Superintendent
credit for doing things neatly and
smartly.
As soon as the Legislature assem-
bled the proposed amendment to put
prohibition In the constitution was in
troduced. Biennial sessions was held
back. 1t is said that the Governors
friends were told that IL the biennial
sessions amendment was proposed, 1t
unx.IA Ea. .
and allow the enemies of prohibition
to talk of politics" personal ambi-
tions." and SO forth. So, for the
good of the cause. constitutional pro-
hibition was given the right-of-way.
But to the surprise of everybody,
constitutional prohibition encountered
| hot fight in the House 1t was
finally passed. however. but in the
Senate 1t stuck fast. 1t stuck so fast
| that neither the Governor nor the SUI
perintendent of the AntiSaloon League
| beaten.
Cried for "Hel-lup
Then the signal, "Hel-Iup'' was wig
wagged to Mr.. Mallory in Selma
| Coming" was the wireless answer sent
| back. So, while the friends Of con-
stttutfonal prohibition were straining
and tugging at the BILL the friends OF
Mr.. Mallory arrived on the scene and
lent a willing hand. The amendment
slipped through with flying colors. 1t
had two votes to spare. Because OF
the assistance of the Mallory men. II
is said by Senators, that the amend
ment received four votes In the SEN
ate which II would not otherwise have
| received.
Right here happened the first divis-
ion-Tthe first break between the Gov
ernor and the Superintendent Of the
Anti-Saloon League. 1t was said that
the Governor, who had helped to pass
the bill In every other way. had had
nothing to do with the call to the
Mallory men. And to make bad mat.
tiers worse. the proposed biennial SEES.
sions got stuck at the very start
Enough votes could not be summoned
4 for Ii in the Senate; and 1t is said
/ enough votes could not be found fol
| 1t in the House. Some of the Gov.
errors friends have ventured the init
nation that the prohibition leaders
were too lukewarm in helping biennia
sessions, although the Governor haC
been most active in helping constitu
the Capitol that the Governor believed
he had bought a gold brick.
Such was the situation when tn
Governor left Montgomery last Satur
day to go to his farm in Barbou
County for a couple of days rest
4 HE went away bitter--veryi bitter.
said prominent member of the Hous
who ought to know what he was tale
ing about.
At that time the newspapers of tn,
State had united in a fight to eliminate
the clause of the Fuller bill which for
babe newspapers from taking liquo
advertisements. They were successful
In enlisting the aid of a number O.
Senators who believed that the claus
was Ubiquitous. They enlisted the aiC
OF several Senators who were stront
friends of Mr.. Mallory, who had helped
the constitutional amendment through
the Senate. Through the influence o
these Senators, an agreement wa
reached on the part of prohibition
leaders to eliminate the clause from
| the bill Report said that Mr.. Law
renee and Speaker Carmichael ant
others agreed that the clause went to-
far and should be cut out of the bill
But the Governor at that time would
hear of no such agreement. He de-
manded that the clause remain in thu
bill. He spoke to several Senator
about 1t. Judge Weakley. who drew
the. prohibition bill. suddenly appeared
on the scene. Mr.. Lawrence wa
summoned. The three men had a Ions
| discussion. Mr.. Lawrence. II Is said
commended that the ultimate effect o
the clause would be to ALLEVIATE con
siderable portion of the Alabama pnes
from support of prohibition movement
and that In the long run Its effec
| would be bad. The Governor did no
agree with him and the discussion Il
said to have been lively. The con
ference ended without either mai
changing his position.
Il Wlthdraws Objection.
The next day the Governor saw
number of his friends in the Senat
on this clause. conference of Sen
ators was called. But the conference
was overwhelmingly against the clause
The Governor then withdrew his objec
ton and said that the clause might b.
eliminated by a unanimous vote.
| Judge Weakley remained in town
He saw a number of friends of tn,
Governor and in the presence of tn
Governor. Then the report few thicl
and fast that he would be a candidate
for Governor. He told at least tw'
friends eonhdentially that 1t was hi
purpose to make the race. Hon
| Walter d. Seed is also running as
prohibitionist.
Such is the situation and such Is
rough draft of one of the big chapter
OF recent political history in Alabama
In the meanwhile. the Safe and San,
League members had begun to worl
like beavers, against the constitutions
| amendment. Five or six political lead
ers from different sections of Alaba ma
| drop In every day. make reports, ant
| go over the situation. Members o