The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-06
HOOPER WILL MAKE
PARDONS VERY SCARCE
Will Show No Leniency To
Prohibition Viol1 brs
LIQUOR LAWS TO STAND
Hooper Seems Determined to Keep
Tennessee Dry and Make Con-
victs Serve Out Their
Sentences

Nashville, February 5.-(Speeial.) -Sev-
eral side features have figured in the first
full week of political activity in Tennes-
! see since the boards were cleared for
legislative action following the break of
the United States senatorial deadlock and
the Inauguration of the first republican
governor for three decades. Chief among
significant incidents indicating that there
will be a radical il not complete change
of gubernatorial schedule was the an
nouncement in no uncertain tones by Gov
ernor Hooper In his address before the
Chattanooga board of trade that not
only would every possible effort be made
to enforce the statewide laws as existing
but that hereafter there would be no
leniency for convicted bootleggers. In
fact, according to the governor, pardons
will be very scarce In the future. These
announcements are accepted by the law
enforcement interests as most gratifying
1t is, however, contended by some that
the governor will have little trouble in
at least carrying out his anti-pardon proc
lamation, the state pen walls being largely
depopulated by the retiring chief execu-
tive. Within the last few days of his adj
ministration no less than 12S convicted
felons were allowed to pull the peniten-
tiary latchstring, and upon the morning
of his formal retirement he was compelled
to deliver a parting address to large
concourse of clamoring pardon-seekers
before the gubernatorial office, explain
ing that the curtain had gone down for
good, and that it would be impossible to
extend further clemency.
As to the matter of legislative change
in presently existing statewide prohibit
tion statutes, 1t is generally agreed that
nothing will be done. The fusion plat
form stood pat on present laws, and as
this element dominates the lower house it
seems a foregone conclusion that there
will be no receding. 1t is thought by
some. however, that recent large political
mixups. including the senatorial contest
and the strange and unexpected defeat of
Reau e. Folk for reelection as state
treasurer by republican when the reg
ular" democrats voted almost en- masse
for the republican, may include trades in
volving possibly this question and 9TH
ers to be disclosed later. Folks defeat
was even greater surprise than final
developments in the senatorial bout, for
he was considered to have had the race
sewed up beyond peradventure. Besides
it was hardly contemplated that the reg
ular democrats would ever go so far as to
vote for straight republican, thus doing
what they have all along insisted read
the Independent democrats out of the
party. Thus the further strange spec
tace was enacted of republican being
so selected without even the approval of
the majority of that faction as the bulk
of the republican vote went to Folk.
An interesting fact regarding the new
governors record SO far is to be noted
In that he placed his first veto upon the
first bill reaching him with the indorse-
ment of both houses, and this too a labor
measure, although one of no great import.
Nevertheless it was introduced at the be-
hest of labor representatives. 1t involved
the refilfng for commercial purposes of
bottles that had been thrown away.
Ever since his election, Tennessee's boy
senator, Luke Lea, has been the object
of great attention generally as well as
locally. He was handsomely and eab-
orately dned at perfectly dry festal &C.
casion here during the week whereat
a great deluge of weighty oratory de-
scended upon him, emphasizing the
mighty responsibility resting upon him as
the countrys most juvenile statesman of
high degree. He has received several bar
rels of letters and kilograms from all over
the country.