The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-15
THOMAS IS
 FOR COL, O'NEAL
Says Henderson Implied Line
 up on Amendment Fight.
HE ACCEPTS CHALLENGE
Situation Now Assumes Shape of Mal- Iory and Seed Against O'Neal and Thomas for Governor md
 Lieutenant Governor.

Montgomery, February 14-(Special.)- Taking that the announcement of Walter D. Seed for lieutenant governor is an ef- fort to line up on the amendment fight, Perry B. Thomas today announces that he will support the candidacy of Colonel Emnlet O'Neal for the democratic nomi- nation for governor. He and Colonel ONeal were together in the opposition to the amendment and it appears to him that the candidacy of MT. Seed, with some of the backing he has and the that it is to be Mallory and Seed against O'Neal and himself. so he accepts the implied challenge.
 Tn his card he says:
 "Yes, I noticed in the daily press of the 9th instant the statement from Hon. Walter D. Seed announcing that In order 1 to subserve the best interest of the state he deemed it wise to withdraw from the race for governor and become a candi- date for lieutenant governor.
 "'The best interest of his state which MT. Seed says Is actuating him in be- coming a candidate for lieutenant gover- nor Is one of the highest motives which can and should influence human conduct; and while, of course, I question his judg ment in thinking that the best interest of the state, at this time demands that he make the sacrifice and become candi- date for lieutenant governor since 1t is somewhat of reflection on me, I being an unopposed candidate for the office un- til his announcement: yet, if he be- lieves so. as he says he does in his statement, l must say that I greatly ad- mire his unselfish patriotism in thus willingly and cheerfully renouncing his long nursed ambition to be governor in order to furnish the dear people of our beloved state one suitable candidate to whom they could with confidence en- trust the lesser office of lieutenant gov ernor and thereby prevent its falling into hands so unsafe as mine.
 Such virtue on his part, if true, de- serves to go not unnoticed and such pa triotism, if true, should not be left uncom- mended.
 But in the light of recent events MT. Seed will pardon the evil-minded for questioning the sincerity of his statement and for indulging the suspicion that other considerations rather than what he claims In his statement prompted him to switch his candidacy from governor to lieutenant governor, and that in less than three days dAtSI ic idu III lIe puDllc ptlHls StIeHu- ously and positively stated he would re- main in the race for governor,
 Swearing he would never consent-he has consented"
 If the political signs of these times are not read amiss, his fate will likely be that of the marble player. who first aimed at the 'middle-man, then the ring man and shot and missed both
 T notice further in the press that this change of ambition on the part of Mir Seed took place at and about the time of the conference in Montgomery re Mallory's friends, the most of gre friends of the late deceased al .dment though the announcement of the change was not given out until MT. Seed reached Tuscaloosa.
 l noticed. too, that the reporter of the Advertiser In his write-up of this flair openly charged that this change of mind on MT. Seeds part was brought about by Colonel Mallory's friends, who were friends of the recent amendment. and through the influence of the Anti Saloon league, which is directed by the Rev. Brooks Lawrence, and which is now supporting Colonel Mallory for governor and MT. Seed for lieutenant governor practically to a man. On the third day afterwards Colonel Mallory comes out and denies that he has made any such trade. I do not doubt this. Colonel Nal lory is well aware that even If he were so inclined, of which I acquiet, he him self could not afford to be g. party to thus drawing the lines when his chief hope of success depends upon keeping up an impression that the lines are not being drawn by the amenders.
 But what have his friends done? He should not expect to enjoy the profit and not bear the injury of their con- duct.
 The next day after Colonel Mallory's denial the president of the AntiSaloon league comes out in statement saying, in effect that the league is taking no part in the gubernatorial fight. leaving us to infer that the league is not re- sponsible for the apparent trade where by Mir. Seed withdrew from the race for governor and became candidate for lieutenant governor. It Is no doubt true that the league as an organization is taking no part in the fight; for, judg- ing the future by the past, the officers are aware that to do so means prob able disaster to the candidates they sup port. While this is true. that the league as an organization is taking no part. it seems to be equally true that the off cers and members of that league with practical u.lanimity are supporting Colo nel Mallory for governor and MT. Seed for lieutenant governor
 It is likewise unreasonable to suppose that Mr. Seed would have withdrawn from the race for governor to the profit of MT. Mallory. and at the same time and by the same act become candidate for lieutenant governor without some con- sideration in the shape of strong assur- ances from Colonel Mallory's amendment friends. or large part of them. of their support in his candidacy for lieutenant governor.
 Besides this I have sent out in behalf of my candidacy many letters all over the state to many leading amenders and anti-amenders alike and have received but few promises of support from the amend ers while from the anti-amenders such promises have been prompt and gen. erous.
 'All these things. and many more. per- suade me that the amepder friends Of Colonel Mallory are resptnsible for MT. Seeds retirement from the race for gov ernor and his candidacy for lieutenant governor. operating to Colonel Mallory s Iene1t and my detriment; and I am also persuaded that it Is the secret purpose of a large majority of the amender5 to draw the lines in the coming fight on governor and lieutenant governor while openly protesting to think 1t horrible sin for the anti-amenders to do so. They seem to think it perfectly all right for them to vote practically as unit for governor and lieutenant governor and that tbe anti-amenders should be gen. erous and unselfish enough to furnish the amenders sufficient additional votes to elect the latter's candidates. That kind of patriotism and fair play does not ap- peal to me just at this time.
 There are some friends on the amend ment side, however. who honestly and un- selfishly endeayored to prevent this draw ing of the line and were unhesitatingly and generously supporting me; and up to this time it was my purpose to take no