The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-26
RAY RUSHTON IS
OUT WITH ANSWER
Replies to the Attack Made By
Bowman.
ABUSE WEAKLEY
pudiated Newspaper RepOrts-Has
Cast no Reflections at O'NeaI
or His Friends

Montgomery, February 25.-(Special)- J.
The attention of Ray Rushton of this
city being called to an attack on him in
speech by P. G. Bowman at Birming-
ham Thursday night, he tonight gave
out the following statement:
In an interview published in the Mont
gomery Advertiser on February l made
this statement: On the 9TH day of De-
cember Mr.. O'NeaTs authorized represen-
tatives announced that he would be a
candidate for governor as an anti
amendist'
In my speech at Centreville, which
Advertiser on February g. 1 used this
language: Taking advantage of some
remarks that had been made by Brooks
Lawrence and Mr.. Fred Jackson, a
leader in the Anti-Saloon league and an
adherent and supporter of Judge Weak
ley, Messrs. Bowman and Stallings ap-
peared in Montgomery on the 9Th day of
December at what is supposed to have
been an O'Neal conference, but which
Mr.. O'Neal could not attend on account
of the death of his brother, and at
which conference 1t seems no one but
Messrs. Stallings and Bowman did at
tend, and announced that Mr.. O'Neal
would be a candidate for governor upon
the platform of the Montgomery confer
ence held September 15.
Both of the above statements were
based upon news article in the Mont
gomery Advertiser on December 5, 1902
the headlines of which are as follows
'O'Neal speaks through friend An
nouncement made of candidacy. Defers
formal statement Bowman and STALL
ings are candidates spokesman. Say
that candidate will set out principles in
accordance with position of Montgomery
conference
And the news item of which was as
follows: Authorized to speak for Emmett
o'Neal, Peyton G. Bowman and Jesse
Stallings of Birmingham in Montgomery
Saturday night announced the candidacy
of Mr.. ONeal for the governorship of
Alabama, subject to the action of the
democratic party, to be expressed either
in primary or convention. The formal
announcement of the candidacy of Mr..
O'Neal expected to be made at this time
is deferred several days because of the
death of his brother, A. M. ONeal, at
Florence Saturday
1T was said by the two spokesman
that the declaration of Mr.. O'Nears posi-
ton regarding questions before the peo-
pie of Alabama at this time will be made
later in his formal announcement, but
that such declaration will certainly be in
complete accordance with the position
taken by the Montgomery conference,
held September 10 last, at which was
formulated the principles and platform
upon which the recent anti-amendment
campaign was made
THE above article in the Advertiser
had never been repudiated, SO far as I
knew, and 1 took 1t for granted that the
facts stated were substantially correct. 1t
was from this news item that I drew
the differences in my interview and in my
speech. l will continue to treat the ar
tice in the Advertiser Of December as
Stating facts until the same is repudi-
ated by Mr.. ONeal and his friends.
1.-The Age-Heralds report of the meet
ing in Birmingham last night also quoted
one of the speakers as having quoted me
as abusing Judge Weakley and intimat-
ing that l had struck at Governor Conner
below the belt No one who has read my
speech could fairly draw any such in
ference. My reference to them was
simply speaking of past political condi-
lions as l understood them. l have the
very highest respect for Judge Weakley
as a lawyer and as a man. and 1t was
certainly far from my intention to abuse
him for having an ambition to succeed
Governor Conner. 1 think that his views
on the prohibition question were extreme,
and that Is all that L have ever criti-
cised him for.
There was nothing in my speech at
Centrevlle rejecting upon Mr.. O'Neal or
any of his friends. / simply stated the
facts clearly and succinctly, as 1 under
stood them, and 1 do not believe that
anyone can successfully refute the argu-
ments l made in behalf of Colonel NAL
lory Battles are not won with invectiye
and innuendo.''