The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-17
By HERvEY w, LAIRD.

Montgomery, July 16-(Special )-The call for the special session of the legis- lature, made public today by Gov. B. B. Conner, was a surprise in some feat ures and little more than carrying out of reports in others. Freighted with pos abilities of much business in it's 65 pro- visions it is none the less indicative of lot of politics in the minds and ambitions of some person or persons who may be benefited by the outcome. In one partic- ular feature 1t is thought to be in the interest of Gov B. B. Conner for the United States Senate, this being call for an amendment for biennial sessions of the legislature.
 If the amendment is submitted and adopted 1t may be passed at the regular session of 1911 and leave the election of a successor to United States Senator John H. Bankhead to the regular session. under its provisions, in 1913. more than year after the governor retires from his of- fice thus escaping the provisions of the constitution that he may not run for such office within year after retiring from the chair of the governor. The suggestion of this amendment is all the more signifi cant in the face of the fact that at the last election, held in 1908, the people re- ,ected 1t by a large majority.
 There can be no doubt but there Is much of politics in the proposition for strenuous prohibition laws, especially those which appear to go in the face of the recent decisions of the supreme court, and the effort to have prohibition made part of the organic law of the state. The present administration whs elected on platform calling for no more than local option, and to undertake such strenuous activities in the movement for prohibition is not carrying out of any pledge or promise.
 However, this much may be said: The demand for prohibition laws of strenuous nature is very great, and the legislature is sure to find much approval in the leg islature. The members are expected to do pretty much what the governor wants unless they have changed from what they used to be.
 Three Amendments.
 The call provides for a vote on three amendments to the constitution, the most startling of which is for including in the organic law provision for prohibition of the sale and manufacture of liquors. While many looked for this, following Q threat to have it included by Brooks Law renee, state Anti-Saloon league superin- tendent, there were numbers who thought 1t was an ultimatum that even the pro- hibition people would not have tried
 The proposition for sessions of the leg islature every two years has political significance, it seems, as with the people voting it by the time the regular ses- sion is held in 1911. 1t would give time for Gov. B. B. Conner to be out of the office of chief executive long enough to run for the United States Senate in 19lS
 The other amendment proposed Is in the interest of the Bessemer end of Jeffer- son county in the main, the people there desiring to be separated from Birming- ham as county seat and have county of their own. Under the present law re- quiring at least 500 square miles to a county, there is not territory enough to get them in. However, parts of Ma rengo county desire the same thing.
 For Prohibition.
 Every safeguard and support is to be thrown about the efforts to prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors A bill is urged carrying the same provision that the test will be which. if drunk to excess will produce intoxica- tion," and the more effectual securing
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