The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-07

Colonel CARRIER is known all over the
state and his selection as manager of the
Conner campaign will be of unusual and
widespread interest.
CARRIER Makes Statement
In affirming the brief announcement of
Governor Conner this statement was issued
by Colonel CARRIER:
Confirming the announcement of Gov
B. b. Conner, I wish to state that at his
request ! will manage his campaign for
the governorship of Alabama.
Il regard Governor Conner as one of the
ablest, strongest and most courageous
men who have appeared upon the political
arena of Alabama since the civil war He
has fought vigorously the battles of the
people. and, like most men of blunt and bold
demeanor, with the courage of their con-
victions, he has aroused the antagonism
of this campaign has been thrashed out
part of the press, but he has gained the
confidence of a very large majority of the
thinking and discriminating citizenship of
the state. who believe in him and in his
political integrity. When the main issue
of this campaign has been thrashed out, 1
believe his nomination and election As
governor will be assured.
Beyond my personal support of Gov
ernor Conner. l stand in the deeper and
broader sense for the principles which
he represents at this time.
Question to Be Determined
1.-THE vital question to be determined in
this campaign is whether the state of
Alabama shall be controlled by the people,
unfettered by alien interference, or
whether certain representatives of spe-
cial privilege shall dominate the policy
of the state government. There should
not be such domination either by infiu-
encing legislation or by an Indifferent, liz
effective administration of the state laws
The true principle of government is JUS
tice which means fair but firm regula-
tion of all interests, individual and cor
porate. The government of Alabama must
be preserved intact as an instrumentality
of justice and equal service to and all
the people without prejudice and for every
interest without favoritism.
I'm many respects, this is a crucial
period in both the political and Industrial
life of Alabama There have already
occurred nationwide evidences of the de-
termination of the people of the United
States to curb the rule of the special
privilege class. The exposition of the cor
rupting methods of this favored class
has, in the disclosures of the recent past,
astounded the right-thinking and patriotic
public.
Hidden Forces at Work
'grhe hidden forces at work today In
Alabama present a reflection, in degree,
of the conditions thus portrayed and of
the great evil which Is requiring, for
correction, the highest and best efforts
of President Wilson and his co-adjutors.
The people prior to Mr.. Comer's candidacy
for governor in 1906 little realized or un-
derstood the powerful influence of the
special interests over legislation in Ala
bama and the administration of its laws
affecting corporations. Rarely. II ever.
did the people stand sa at the levers of
control and have a chance to look out
for themselves The Legislature of 1907,
for the first time in its history, UNDER
took to enact laws seeking the proper
regulation and control of corporations and
common carriers transacting an intrastate
business in Alabama. This legislative
attempt to regulate and control corpora
tions and other large interests and to
prescribe statutory rates for railroads
recorded a great reformation In the policy
of the state government and resulted In
arousing bitterest opposition.
Quotes From His Report
.'The administration of Governor Co
mer was forward step In Alabama his
tory. ] reiterate what had to say In
my official report as attorney general
at the close of my term in 1911:
1.-The four years just now passing
into history will be regarded by the i'm
partial student of Alabama's govern
mental development as the period most
constructive and progressive in Legislation
and the most aggressive in the enforcement
from former conditions (and in the re-
establishment and In the establishedment)
OF new regime whose basic principle
has been the assertion of the general in
terests of the people
1.-THE temper of the people Of Alabama
is manifest. 1t betokens a grave resent
ment against any effort to abridge or
subordinate the constitutional right of
self government. Present conditions make
ii plain that this is no time for COM
promise--to risk the loss of ground al
| ready gained The great body of our peo-
pie are utterly opposed now and in the
future to return to the domination of
special privilege. h. y. Conner, impeled
by a high sense OF duty. has offered
lis services. He has become a candl-
date for governor. The state needs ia
this crisis man of his strong and posi-
tive character man of his aggressive
ness. patriot of his type. The people
have called him. and the people will elect
him."