The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

1 Conner is as loyal to his friends as he is vindictive in the pursuit of his enemies.
 His loyalty, as a matter of fact, caused him to commit what is con- sidered his most serious political blunder-a blunder which alienated many former good friends and brought down upon his head widespread abuse and vituperation.
 Comer's fault, as the people saw it, consisted in the fact that whereas he had been elected governor on a plank which declared for local option, he had signed statewide prohibition bill-which precipitated the fight for and against constitutional prohibition.
 The truth is that Conner urged the so-called temperance forces" against statewide prohibition. When the bill was passed, however, he saw no other course open save one which would lead to his signature. Although he had declared in his platform for local option, he did not consider himself guilty of political embezzlement" be- cause of the fact that 90 per cent of the counties which had held local op- tion elections had voted dry But even had the reverse obtained, it is probable that his loyalty to his friends in the legislature would have caused him to sign the bill.
 In this regard, he recently said: xrrl,N ha1 cta |, me in the fight for rate reformation were prepared to pass that bill. When there seemed to be a question as to whether or not I would sign it, tele- grams from every corner poured into my office. I sent for Brooks Law renee, and insisted that he call of his dogs telling him to rest assured that if the bill was passed, would sign."
 Conner thought the "amendment" election ill-advised. But he got in the fight-and in the course of the fight sustained criticism as severe as was ever heaped upon the head of a man in Alabama. He retorted in kind, however, and in this campaign as in others, he failed to ascribe to those who differed from him, honesty of motive and purpose. In a speech at Clanton, as is remembered, he denom- mated those who stood against him, '.cowardly skunks," which phrase, in cidentally, served an excellent pur- pose in making more certain the ulti- mate defeat of the amendment and of statewide prohibition.
 Conner often tells stories in the course of his speeches which evoke the criticism of those who have al- ways been prone to criticise him. But inasmuch as Conner invariably never hesitates to strike hard when he desires to strike hard, or when he believes that by so doing he will enhance the principle for which he fights, it is pretty safe to state that the stories which he intends for humor but which arouse the ire of some who hear, are unin- tentionally offensive.
 On one occasion, Conner was cam paigning in Tuscaloosa county with professor. On account of an acci- dent, it was necessary for the two gentlemen, during an exceedingly hot and close night, to occupy the same bed On the following morning in the city of Tuscaloosa, Mir. Conner told of his experience of the night be- fore.
 While" he tritely remarked, sleeping with Professor L
 might be entirely agreeable to the good woman who is his wife, with me it is a job of certain unpleasant features"
 All of the stories which have been told to the disadvantage of MT. Conner, however, have not come from his enemies. One of his warmest ad- mirers was the late Harry Gunnels, former superintendent of education. While Conner was governor, he and Gunnels were members of the build ing commission of the University of Alabama. That commission, as is re- membered, gave to one of the finest