The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-22
Deliberate in His
 Opening Speech ct OneOntd


mas heen abandoned as completely as has those that actuated Stevens and his illSs
 And yet that is the single issue of their campaign.
 Tt has pleased the Birmingham Age Herald in its edition of this morning to pronounce what will be my issues in this campaign. l reserve the right myself to announce my issues and not have them selected by my enemies
 MT. Mallory then read part of the ar ticles in The Age-Herald referred to in which it was said Tt has been under stood from the inuendo suggestions scat tered about that the liquor interests are trying to get into the saddle. that the Mallory people were saving it for last card. It will be remembered that this issue was not used in the fight for the amendment until two weeks before the election. But from the whispers in the wind it seems that Mr. Mallory will now stake his all on the charge that Mir. ONeal is the representative of the liquor interests. Such a charge, duplicating all the leaders of the anti-amendment fight, would bring down such torrent of right eous indignation that the meeting at the Jefferson last week would hardly be circumstance'
 That charge has never been made and
 so far as I or my friends are concerned it will never be charged that the people
 WAiO NOlCu aSdllSl llC dtiiSHOHlOnt hCiC
 in favor of liquor or the open saloon.
 T am now the flag bearer; by my side
 many of the leaders and tens of thou
 sands of those who were opposed to the amendment who will vote for me. Do you believe that if l charged such thing that Frank s. Moody Syd Bowie, Ray Rushton, Mr. Weaver of your own coun- ty, and thousands of others who I could name would be with me in this fight? There has hOUavar hann a ment, not against the. people of Ala bama, mind you, by MT Charles Hen derson, who was a candidate for gov ernor, and who on withdrawing from the race said it had become evident that the liquor interests were seeking to dom- mate Alabama. He Is a creditable man, known for his conservatism. He charged not the people of Alabama, but the liquor interests were seeking to control affairs in this state. No man that stands with me charges the people of Alabama with being dominated by the liquor interests.
 My opponents gave me a good certif- cate of character at the Birmingham meeting. They gave me an excellent character for honesty, integrity, intelli- gence and all the virtues that make up a good citizen. They say. however, you ought not to make me governor because I was for the amendment. Yes, l was for the amendment. It was my convic- ton l was a candidate for governor long before the amendment was thought about and if I did other than follow ny convictions you would not believe me worthy to be anything or hold any office. That thing is dead and has no business whatever in this campaign.
 ''They made me out mighty force in this amendment business. l am the chief sinner. I was responsible for it all, and they say l am a 'weaklins,' I have no backbone. Yet, before the breath is dry in the air from their lips they say my strong right arm precipitated that strug gle The people may say l used bad judgment but they can't say I'm weak ling. They also say I will 'wield big stick if I am made governor. I thor oughly indorse and believe in the consti- tutional provision that the three depart ments, executive, legislative and judicial, shall be coordinate but separate depart nlents of government, and I do not be- lieve that the prerogative of one should interfere with the other in the least. They say am fanaticaL You can read me so far as my life has touched publE affairs; can go to my home or to my na- tive county of Tauadega, and see if l have been true to the positions I have held; see If have been a crazy man.
 T believe in a safe governmental pol icy.
 T believe in building up all the indus tries and interests of the state and teas ing down none of them.
 "I believe in our state upon which the eyes of the world are focused, recogniz- ing it's opportunities and desirability from every point of view
 "I believe in my people; that they are wise, just and patriotic. They live in my heart, my heart lives in them.
 If you believe I will make you a good governor I will appreciate your vote and support If you do not will regret the loss of your confidence more than the loss of the office, for if l know my heart ] would enjoy the confidence and trust of my fellow man more than the bestowal of any office by this or any other commonwealth
 Introduced by Weaver.
 In introducing MT. Mallory, MT Weaver said, -'I have the pleasure of introduc- ing a man who has achieved more than most men in a lifetime. In truth and in fact the gentleman here, as candidate LOT governor of Alabama, is above susI picion. conservative in all things, many in all things, man of whom we will all be proud, and If elected he will carry the state higher than ever before. He will represent no interest, no faction, but he will be the governor of the state and nothing else"
 T am In a new role,'' said Mir. Mallory. T have never asked the people for an office before this time l have tried in an humble and l hope a faithful way to serve my country and my party, and Il -4as been a pleasure, not a task.
 '"rhe office of governor of Alabama is one more than worthy of the aspiration of any citizen. Its opportunities are great. and its powers over the destinies of the state are large.
 Tt is to the vital interest of this state that the citizens test the candidates capacity. I am before the people of Ala bama and they have the right to turn the sesrchlight upon me. If you think I am you ought not to elect me. I would not put myself upon the people of Alabama against their wishes if I could.
 Praise coming from man himself is not worthy, but l shall ask you to look at my record, and my life, and let that stand. l will be compelled to say some thing in defense of myself in response to things which have been said" He then spoke of the states greatness and the importance of its agricultural devel- opment. He turned to the wealth of the growing towns, industrial and mining 'le and said. These things should be touched for good and not for detri- ment or injury. You should elect a man who Is in accord with all these legiti- mate industries, who is conservative. and will not tear down one individual at the expense of another. Therefore, l am opposed to what is commonly called class legirlation, when the elevation of one is brought about by the detriment of the other. I would desire to so conduct the office of governor that peace and well fare. guaranteed by the constitution, might be looked after.
 "I shall not evade any question. It is not a part of my life. This has oeea