The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-09
Bill to Increase Governors s Salary May Be Vetoed
PLANS 0F LEGISLATURE
Among Legislators and the Ma jority Appear to Favor the
 Measure
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

| BY HUGH w. ROBERTS Montgomery, January S-(Special)--
 Should the legislature, immediately after | the salary of the incoming governor from | s5000 to s75o0, that bill may not receive the signature of the present governor. | This at least has become known, but Governor Conner has made no statement to that effect
 | Just why Governor Conner should see fit to assume his rumored position is, of | course, a matter of speculation. He has made no announcement, not even to the effect that he will decline to sign the measure. But it is whispered around that the governor states that the incoming lcgisla ture is O'Neals legislature and that he will have nothing at all to do with it, If the governor persists in his present intention, Colonel O'Neal will not be the first executive of the state to re- ceiye a yearly salary of $5000. For, of course, he could not attach his own sigma ture to a measure of which he would be the beneficiary.
 It has been understood for some time that the legislature had planned to in- crease the salary of the next governor. It is understood that a majority of the members of both houses have expressed themselves as being favorable to the idea. It was planned to present the bill in the lower and upper houses smul- taneously in order that as little time as possible would be lost. The plan was then to rush the bill to Governor Conner for his signature. Colonel O'Neal assuming charge a week later could reap the benefit.
 In this connection it is rumored tonight that plan Is on foot whereby the leg lislature will appropriate certain sum of money for the expense of the next governor in case Governor Conner should salary.
 Presidency of Senate
 In spite of the fact that the serious ill., ness of Senator Spragins of Madison and Senator Turner of Washington will cost Senator Morrow two votes in his race for president pro tenn. of the senate, the gentleman from Jefferson is absolutely
 
 the day. And the prediction is general that Senator Morrow will be the next president pro tenn. of the senate, although none of his competitors have hauled In the flag. or displayed signs of having had enough.
 Up to the present moment there have occurred no developments in the contro- versy as to whether or not there should be 8 democratic caucus prior to the or ganization of the houses of the legsla- ture. Senator Frazer, as is remembered, raised the point that there is no one au- thorized to call caucus, and no one au- thorized to participate in one. Senator Brown. another applicant for the honor of presiding over the senate, agrees with Senator Frazer.
 When questioned in this regard, Sena- tor Morrow said: T don't care when the caucus is held or where; don't care who calls the caucus or presides over the caucus. I simply want to be notified be- fore the meeting in order that I may par tcpate. It Is altogether a matter of in difference to me-"
 neither Senator Spragins nor Senator Fur ner would be able to be in Montgomery this week, there was marked uneasness among the Morrow followers. But those who suspected to find Senator Morrow troubled as a result of this news were doomed to disappointment. Tt Is true" stated he, that will lose two votes. But this will not effect the ultimate verdict l am confident of win ming, and all that remains undOne is the formal announcement of the votes. James Packer Smith of Birmingham, candidate for page of the senate, is re- ceiving his share of attention in the lobby of the Exchange hotel.
 The candidate is a percocious young chap of l3 years, has keen wit, a ready humor, and good appearance. He doesn't hesitate to introduce himself to the incoming senators. and Is not back
 ward In pointing out his exceptional merits. And he has made distinct hit He will be elected by big majority. Were all the candidates for honors at the hands of the members of the legislature as sure of success as he, there would be nothing here but long sleep and pleasant dreams James Packer Smith displays a letter of indorsement from J. J. Willett of An n,ston, and states: If do say it myself, what that letter contains is true" | And he generally draws a laugh, a slap l of approval and pledge of support. | How do you stand on the race for president pro tenn. of the senate?' he was
 asked
 | r'.I am not committed, ne repneo. 1 "But, honestly now. do you not lean | inst a little toward MT. Morrow"
 q must positively refuse to testify" l shot back the young politician.
 Young Smith lives with his mother on | Fourth avenue and Twenty-first street. Birmnigham He was formerly in the of-
 flee of MT. Willett in Anisten, and he 1 states that numerous members of his old i la wfirm will eventually arrive on the 1 scana to aid him in his candidacy.
 But he needs no aid. He has done all l the work himself. Nothing can defeat
 him. He has too much spirit and too much pluck. He is the ideal example or young America.
 Capital Gossip
 Birmingham is represented in Mont l gomery at the present time by Lieut. Gov.
 Henry B. Gray. Senator Morrow, Repre- l sentatives Judge Mcdonald, c. A. O'Neill, Percy and Eastis.. Judge Cahalan, John Abbott. Col. J. w. Tomlnson, Col P. C..