The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-16
Says He Is As Variable As
Wind and Is Band
Wagon Rider
CHARGES O'NEAL WITH
FRANK inconsistency
He Says O'Neal Dcn0unces Comerism
Though He Voted for Conner and
Has Republican Speakers Ad-
vocnting His Election


ferson theatre in the interest of Col
H. S. ID. Mallory's candidacy for COVER
nor, former Chief Justice John r. Tyson
of Montgomery addressed an audience
which occupied about three-fourths Oh
the seating capacity on the ground noor'
Charles Fl. Rice, local attorney, pre-
sided over the meeting, and offered rev
preliminary remarks. He was followed by
E. X. Campbell, who made the formal
speech introducing the principal speaker
Judge Tyson's address was devoted 10
an extended criticism of Emmett O'Neal,
his policies, his record and his followers.
He charged Colonel O'Neal with rank In
consistency in his politics, stating spe-
cific instances which he advanced in PROOF
of his charge, and declared that the
O'Neal following has dealt In deliberate
Misrepresentation and misstatements,
stopping at no statements which might
be used to arouse the passions and preju-
dices of democrats against democrat.
He further declared that Colonel O'Neal's
candidacy for governor is based solely on
three propositions Denunciation of Com
erism, II voted against the amendment"
and Brooks Lawrence and the Anti-Sa-
loon league.
In attacking the O'Neal policies, Judge
Tyson stated that he would employ
Colonel ONeal's own test of a mans
qualification for the governorship: First,
whether he is man of sound judgment
and true to his convictions, and second
whether he is a man who is swayed by
every passing breeze and who Is a band
wagon rider.
IF Mr.. O'Neal was ever loyal to con-
viction,' said the speaker, Il should like
to know what that conviction is. AS to
the second question, which he says the
voters should ask themselves, Mr. O'Neal
is as variable as the wind and band
wagon rider, If there ever was band
wagon rider. Why? In the first place he
voted for Conner, and now denounces him.
Is that loyalty to his convictions? And
not only that He takes Corners right
bower, Lee Long, as his campaign man.
ager.
"On July II. 1903. Mr.. ONeal declared
himself In favor of local option. So the
Montgomery Advertiser said and you all
know the Advertiser always tells the
truth and stands for the people of Ala
bama. Yet In his speech before the Mont
gomery conference opposing the amend
meht he says he stands for statewide pro-
hibition. Is that loyalty to his convic-
lions?
Mr. O'Neal was member of the con-
stitutionai convention which framed our
present constitution and was among those
who asked tat the people ratify 1t. Yet
he denounced the convention and the
constitution In 1908 he denounced the
national democratic platform, yet, now
says he Is a democrat In 1900 the ma
tional democratic platform favored the
selection of United States senators by d.
rect vote of the people. Mr.. O'Neal de-
nounced that platform. Was that de-
mocracy? If he was opposed to 1t then
he is necessarily opposed to 1t now, and
the state democratic platform provides
that senators be nominated in direct prl-
maries.
I'm July, 1909, Mr.. ONeal said he stood
for local option and now denounces the
initiative and referendum. Is that loyalty
to his convictions?
This Is the first time I have known
a democrat to seek office and still have
republican speakers to ask democrats to
vote for him. Mr.. O'Neal does. At the
first meeting held in this city in the in
terest of Mr.. O'Neal, J. C. Manning, an
ex-republican, was among the speakers
J. c. Manning formerly held office. He
was kicked out and now joins the O'Neal
democracy. I don't take my democracy
from j. c. Manning
Mr.. O'Neal denounces your democratic
governor. He says the constitutional con-
vention, of which he was a member, was
radical, and that you were wrong in vot-
Ing down amendments which provided for
biennial sessions of the legislature
though the constitution which he helped
frame provides quadrennial sessions. He
favored the Montgomery conference plat
form. which declared that the amendment
should be used by no candidate as a
means of riding into office, yet now says
to the people 1 will ride into office on
the amendment
'Mr. ONeal goes from one end of this
state to another denouncing Comersm
as radicalism and profligacy. He Is not
fair enough to tell the people that he is
partly responsible for this Comerism.
Why? Because when the contest for
nomination was on between B. B. Conner
and DR.. r. C. Cunningham of this city,
Mr.. ONeal advocated the election of
Conner, and voted for Conner. Mr.. NAL
lory of Selma voted for DR.. Cunning
ham"
In conclusion Judge Tyson called atten-
ton to the fact that Colonel Mallory is a
member of the order of Masons. and was
once grand master; that he Is lawyer
of ability who for II years presided over
the destiny of the democratic party In
Alabama; that his very life is refuta-
ton of the charge. that he favors in
vasion of the home; and that he has the
confidence of the Masons and democrats
of Alabama.