The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-22
WILL CENTRAL|zE WARFAR ON U NEAL Believed to Be Anti- Saloon
 League Attitude GOSSIP ABOUT PLATFORMS Not Unlikely That Railroad Issue VIII Again Be Injected Into the Cam
 paign-Governor Corners
 Attitude.
 


 The publication yesterday to the ef- feet that the Anti-Saloon league of Alabama will go out for the specific purpose of defeating Emmet ONeal for governor proved the most interesting morsel of gossip for those who are watching the developing features of the ensuing political campaign.
 It begins to appear that because Emmet O'Neal started the light against the prohibition amendment he Is the enemy-in- chief of the throng which urged the adoption of the amendment. And the old issue is fast becoming the new issue.
 The chiefs of the Anti-Saloon league have declared their determination to write proh hibition into the constitution irrespective of the verdict of the peo- pie as expressed November 29, 1909 Emmet O'Neal will always be opposed to writing prohibition in the constitu- tion. Therefore, the reason becomes ap- parent why the chiefs of the Anti-Sa-
 
 the publication yesterday, relentless war against him
 It is true that the majority of those who defeated the amendment to the constitution are opposed to any man who. were he governor would be a potent factor in passing a future pro- hibitiono amendment In case. there- nn Is clared that war. it is indicated. will weld the anti-amendment strength even more closely than 1t is welded today. In that way the issue which tore asun der the people of the state last fall will be the real issue in the ensuing gubernatorial campaign. Colonel O'Neal has publicly declared that he Is hope ful that the issue will not be pre- scented again. He does not hesitate to pressed, he will readily pick up the gauge of battle.
 Viewing the Platforms.
 According to the publication referred to the Anti-Saloon league of Alabama will not progressively battle for the
 
 gressively battle for the defeat of O'Neal. O'Nears platform. along with other declarations, declares for fair trial of the prohibition laws of today. Practically the same declaration though hardly as conservative-has been made by Col. Hugh s. D. Mallory of Selma. As Is remembered, while during the amendment campaign he was quoted as saying that they had driven whisky out of the saloons ana were now preparing to drive 1t out of the homes. shortly aftef the amendment election he issued statement de- claring that although he was in favor of the amendment, he. being above all else a democrat, stands for whatever, in this regard, the people want.
 In case the Anti-Saloon league can not indorse the platform of O'Neal the point is made that the league cannot indorse the platform of Mallory That organization will not be interested vitally in the platform of Charles Hem derson, which Is to be, 1t Is reported, the continuation of the present policy of the state toward the railroads. Judge Samuel D. Weakley.s platform fin re- gard to the liquor traffic will accord with the ideas of the Anti-Saloon league, and therefore it is probable that the league will indorse him or Walter D. Seed.
 The Alabama Anti-Saloon league. as has been pointed out, is destined to propagate the real issue of the ensuing campaign for state officers. SpragIns and Moody.
 Politicians in Birmingham give credence to the report that Senator R. E. Spragins Is desirous of becoming candidate for governor.
 But the report is not credited that Sem ator Frank S. Moody of Tuscaloosa will consent to take the second position on the spragins ticket. As matter of fact politicians agree that Senator Moody would have been a most formidable can didate for the governorship-more for midable in fact than Senator Spragins- and his friends do not believe that in asmuch as he declined, after pressure. to enter the race for first place, he will consent to accept a second place on the ticket
 AS to whether or not Senator 6pragins enters depends, it is generally believed, on whether or not he can persuade him. self that he will stand good chance of election.
 Politicians throughout the state agree that the race is between Mallory and O'Neal. Politicians agree, too. Shat with Epragins in the field the race will still be between ONeal and Mallorq. In other words, politicians do not hesitate to state their conviction that some of the candidates now in the field will not be candidates on the day of the primary.
 The Railroad Issue.
 It Is expected that efforts will be made to rejuvenate the railroad issue on which Governor Conner sailed into office.
 It is expected that Charles Henderson will incorporate in his platform plank for strict regulation of the railroads. This, too it is expected, will be one of the features of the platform of Judge Weakley.
 Therefore, in a certain sense, Governor Conner, Charles Henderson and Judge Weakley will stand together. It is gen.