The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-22

the county as a unit. After his cleo
tion he permitted his legislature to pass
statewide prohibition bill. He next
was seen in a furious effort to write
prohibition into the constitution of his
state. This effort resulted in the bit
terest campaign of recent years-that
of l9O9-and the differences engenderea
have not been forgotten and the wounds
entirely healed even to this good hour.
1t has not been made plain up to the
present writing for what liquor legisla
ton Mr.. Conner will now contend He
has professed to be opposed to the
liquor boss" as every other man is.
He has stated that If prohibition is
made an issue, he will be found on the
side of temperance" As both factions
have claimed that their ideas are in
accord with temperance" and as eacn
has charged the other with 'intemper-
ance" in act and speech, it is not defin-
ite1y known where Mr.. Conner will be
when the actual firing begins
1t is probable, however. that every
thing will be made plain when the
former governor delivers his opening
shot at Opelika in the near future 1t
is understood that he will speak from
his heart out, and that vitriolic vituper-
ations will be hurled upon the heads of
the animate and inanimate.
Plans of the "Purist''
In discussing prohibition, it is inter
esting to note that there is now a diff
ference as to ideas of policy among the
'purists" in Alabama politics. 1t is
stated by director of the Alabama
Anti-Sa1oon league that while that po-
litical organization will not support the
candidacy of any gubernatorial aspir-
ant, it will be in the thick of the fights
for legislative honors. AS to what
course will be devised having for its
object the elimination of the unlicensed
saloon~in the few counties in when
they are at the present, there is diff
ference of opinion.
1t is declared that some OF the leaders
are in favor of passing a statewide
prohibition bill. of using force, in other
words, as force has been used on other
occasions only to cause in the end a fine
revulsion of sentiment. Other leaders,
however, behold the possibility of gain
ing the same end and at the same time
playing politics so smoothly that the
people will be bereft of sweet resent
ment, In other words, some of the
directors of the organization favor
amending present liquor laws in such
manner that Alabama will still remain
local option state, but not with the
county as a unit. Local option with
the state as a unit is the plan. 1t il
contended that were Alabama to vote
on saloons versus prohibition" pro-
hibition would win. The people would
then be unable to say in justice that
prohibition against their wills was
rammed down their throats. Thus, they
argue, there would be no excuse in after
years for the people to rise in their
anger and smite the Galahads and the
IchabOd Cranes as they did toward the
shank of 1909.
Kilby Has Cinch
Candidates for minor office, while un-
able to star before the calcium as con-
tinuously as are the ambitious for the
fruits of fatter jobs, are quietly grind
ing their axes. Thomas E. Kilby, state
senator and one of the best known busi-
ness men of Alabama. is unopposed for
lieutenant governor Mr.. Kilby is so
popular and widely appreciated for
his business ability that 1t is considered
probable that should another candidate
develop, he would receive little en-
couragement. And what is more, Mr..
Kilby has obtained flying start and
has lined up for him some of the
strongest men of all factions in the
state.
For the other jobs however, there
will probably be an interesting scram-
BILE. The race for secretary of state
lies at the present time between j. II.
Nunnalee and Judge John Purifoy. If
llcCtoT IdHe TuHS IOr commissioner OF
agriculture, he will prove a most for
midable candidate. Others mentioned in
connection with this race are DIR. A. A.
Persons, former member of the faculty
of the University of Alabama, Robert
Pool and ]. f. Watt
The Other Candidates
For attorney general, Gardner Greene
has announced. Logan Martin, present
assistant attorney general, will oppose
him. Fred Wall is also mentioned. w.
F. Feagin, chief clerk to the superinten-
dent of education, will be a candidate
for superintendent. The Rev. j. A. Jen-
kins, state chaplain, is mentioned as
his probable opponent NJ C. Allgood
and w. F. Wilkinson are considered
candidates for state auditor Fitzhugh
Lee, clerk in that department, is also
mentioned in the list of probable candi-
dates. Frank Julian and Leon McCord
will ask for terms as associate mem
bers of the railroad commission.
The retirement from politics of
Brooks Smith removes the man who
was considered as certain candidate
for treasurer Others who have been
mentioned are d. c. Boyd state bank
examiner, and c. A. Townes. state
examiner of public accounts.