The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-29
Local Option Campaign Is Drawing the Big Men
 of Both Sides
BARBECUE TOMORROW
 TO BE A BIG AFFAIR
Election of Liquor Question Will Be Held Next Thursday and Cam paign Is Growing Very
 Spirited

Though the nature of the blow is un- known. Governor O'Neal is going to strike gainst the continued existence of prohi- hirion in I.auderdale county. And he is going to strike tomorrow.
 As matter of fact, Governor 0 Neal will pass through Birmingham today al noon en route to Florence. He will De joined here by Col. Jesse Stallings. The two will be the chief speakers at bar beoue to be held by the local optionists Saturday two miles out of Florence From the reports gathered in Birmingham 1t seems that the local optionists or the entire county will attend the barbecue and that a lively, old fashioned political meeting will follow.
 |, leaked out yesterday that certain eX- citing incidents are about to occur Tn Lauderdale The local option election VIII occur next Thursday. The prohibitionists o,; account of the fact that Lauderdale gave O'Neal to the state, are anxious to trim the governor in his own back yaro. The governor has never had desire to De trimmed. So the conflict promises to Dc interesting 6uOuSn lO oNtuPS thO SNN~N- ton of the state for the ensuing week.
 Orators Are Gathering
 To retain Lauderdale county in the pro- h:bition ranks the leaders of that issue have dispatched to the scene of the strug- gle Congressman Richmond Pearson Hob- sen, Lieutenant Governor Walter D. Seed, Judge Samuel D. Weakley and. other satellites. For local option, Governor O'Neal will say a few words tomorrow. Jesse stallings is slated to make one or two speeches. Tom Long will remain in the county until the election, and the chances are that Leon McCord will speak of the evils of prohibition before the Lau- derdale campaign reaches it's end. AS is known, Tom Long has challenged Wal ter D. Seed to a series of debates in Lau- derdale, and the latter intimates that he will accept provided the prohibition com mtitee, in tine hands of which he reposes, agrees. Should the debates be arranged, times are promised.
 ''The barbecue Saturday, stated Colonel Stallings yesterday. Twill be open to everyone who cares to attend We would deem it fortunate were Weak Icy, Hobson and Seed to appear. What a great old time it would be were debate between six men, three to a side, ar ranged. There would be great deal of fun, beyond all doubt.
 However, nothing to that effect has been outlined As far as I know, the governor and I will speak, and we will be followed, it is probable, by several of the Lauderdale county orators"
 Recent Political History
 The outcome in Lauderdale is doubtful The county has always been disposed to frown upon the sale of whisky. The pro- posed prohibition amendment was beaten in Lauderdale, however, chiefly through the efforts of Governor O'Neal, in 1909, and the following summer that county ent overwhelming in favor of O'Neal In his race for the gubernatoria1 nomina- tion against Col. H. S. D. Mallory.
 Another interesting feature in connec- tion with the present political controversy is the fact that while Lauderdale gave O'Neal to the state, it is also the county of the birth of Judge Weakley. The two men, who grew up together, have generally been arrayed against each other i nthe political controversies which have made the history of the state.