The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-10
HENDERSON CHARGE
 MAY BE DROPPED
Little Now Heard of the Sen
 sational Utterance.
HAS LOST ITS GINGER
Mallory Leaders Have Apparently De- clded That Charges of Improper Influences Would Not Help
 Their Campaign This Time.
BY BURR BLACKBURN.


 It now seems that the Henderson charges may be considered an incident closed What appeared to be d great nor sel of sensation seems to have palled on the appetite.
 A few days ago Col. Emmet O'Neal branded it as wilful, malicious, slander- ous and cowardly falsehood. Since that time Mallory meeting has been held, and the only echo of the famous issue was to the effect that MT O'Neafs refuta- tion was 'undignified."
 Though closed, the incident was certain ly interesting. It began with the state ment of Charles Henderson upon his with drawal from the race for governor when he said:
 "In the recent amendment contest l stood against the adoption of the proposed constitutional amendment because l be- Iieved it's adoption would have infrnged on certain principles of free government. We contended in that campaign that the question of saloons or no saloons did not enter into that contest. Subsequent devel- opments, however, have clearly shown me that the allied interests that financed the amendment campaign are demanding compensation for the part they took and the contributions made, and are now mak- ing a fight for control both of the ex- ecutive and legislative branches of the state government.
 ''This is contrary to the position l took and the promises we made to the people" This was so indefinite that no one knew To of inf that financed the amendment campaign and that they are demanding compensa- ton for the part they took and the con tributions made" AS MT. Henderson was chairman of the anti-amendment cam- paign, it was not thought that he was referring to contributions which he had received.
 The opening of the ONeal campaign at the Jefferson theatre followed, when the speakers simply put it up to MT. Hender- son to explain himself.
 Then Colonel Mallory. in his speech at Oneonta saie: There has been made a statement, not against the people of Ala bama mind you, by MT. Charles Hendor- son. who was a candidate for governor, and who on withdrawing from the race said it had become evident that the liquor interests were seeking to control affairs in this state''
 The next day things began to look lively when James B. Ellis, Colonel Mallory's campaign manager, issued this stirring statement: "The paramount question in this canl- paign has been promulgated by Charles
  L. Henderson. Ray Rushton, Frank s. Moody and the other leaders in the Mont gomery conference that met last fall to in augurate a great fight. It is whether or not faith shall be kept with the people of Alabama when the pledge was made that the fight at that time was not for the purpose of bringing the saloon back to Alabama. T say that O'Neal and the quartet that brought him into the race are fighting on a side that is directly opposed to the principles set forth at that Montgomery conference.
 "If this is not true, why hasn't there been a denial from the O'Neal camp? They have had several meetings and state conferences. yet the statement of MT. Charles Henderson that certain interests through Mir ONeal are seeking compen- sation, remains unanswered. Hon. Ray
 
 Centreyile has called for an explanation. Yet there has been no answer forthcom- ing
 Then the issue was drawn MT. O'Neal had been charged with one of the greatest crimes in public life. It was one of great moment to the public. and MT. O'Neal S attitude was breathessly watched. Quick ly he replied.
 After quoting MT. Ellis statement, he said:
 q desire to say that the above state ment is a wilful malicious, slanderous and cowardly falsehood
 q desire to state further that no in-S terests of any kind, nor has any individ- ual approached me seeking compensation in the event of my election, or seeking in any way to dictate or control my ac- tions, nor will any interests or any indi- vidual hereafer dare approach me for such purpose"
 At the Bowman meeting the following night MT Bowman came to the sentence: q say that O'Neal and the quartet that brought him into the race are fighting on a side that is directly opposed to the principles set forth at that Montgomery conference" He branded it as "a more malicious, cowardly lie was never put into print. Any intimation that saloon, liquor or brewery interests have been to O Neal or any Of his friends and told them that anything is expected from him when he becomes governor. is absolutely false. 1 don't pretend to say they didn't go to Henderson, but I'm here to say that if there was any liquor money used in the late campaign, Henderson, who was cam paign manager is the man to account for it "
 Since that time nothing has come from the paramount issue" MT. Ellis has been silent. and the only mention at the Mallory meeting the other night was that Mr. O'Neal's vigorous denial was undig nifed
 Perhaps it is tc be forgotten. In fact, d Mallory leader declared the other day that MT. Ellis was not responsible for his interview as an ambitious newspaper re- porter connected with his campaign, seek ing to inject q little life into the cam paign. had written the Ellis interview on his own initiative.
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