The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-26
Mr.. Henderson's Statement

Mr.. Henderson's Statement
Montgomery, July 5.-(Special) THE
charges made by former Gov. b. b. Co
mer, in his speech at Alfalfa that Charles
Henderson, president of the Alabama rail-
road commission, and candidate for gov
ernor, is in colusion with the railroads,
and that he has their marks ''branded
upon him, are strongly denounced as ma
licious and untrue by Mr.. Henderson, in
statement which he gave out today.
Mr. Henderson declares in his brief re-
ply to Mr.. Conner that he had hoped the
campaign would be conducted upon a high
plane, and that all insinuations and
charges made against any candidate,
would be based upon the record made
by such candidate, or, at least, upon the
semblance of truth
Mr.. Henderson leaves absolutely no
doubt of the effect produced upon him by
Mr.. Comer's attack. He declares that If
Mr.. Conner is correctly quoted, that he
'wilfully and maliciously made statements
that are not true, and defy him to pro-
duce one act of mine that will substan-
tiate his charge"
He further states that Mr. Conner must
understand that when he Undertakes to
defame either my personal character or
official record, that he must substantiate
these charges or be branded before the
public as one who engages in the me-
farious practice of making and circulate
ing untrue statements for personal bene-
fit
Mr.. Henderson's statement in reply I'd
Mr.. Comer's charges is as follows
{ Untruthful for His Benefit
In the report of Mr.. Comer's speech
at Alfalfa ] notice he charges me with
being in collusion with the railroads
or some of them, and that | am con-
spicuops by having their private mark
branded upon me. l had hoped this
campaign would be conducted upon a
high plane and that IL any insinuations
or charges were made against any can
didate they would be based upon the
records made by such candidate. or at
least, upon the semblance of truth.
want to say in regard to Mr.. Comers
statements, If quoted correctly, or If
by correct inference this was the i'm
preston conveyed, he wilfully and ma
liciously made statements that are not
true. and | defy him to produce one
act of mine that will substantiate his
charge
He must understand from the out
set of this campaign that when he un-
dertakes to defame either my personal
character or official record, that he
must substantiate his charges or be
branded before the public as one who
engages in the nefarious practice of
making and circulating untrue state
ments for personal benefit. l submit my
whole private and political life to the
public it has been open, no secret con-
clave has controlled my actions at any
time. They have been guided by the
broad principle of fairness and right,
and l openly defy this defamer"
~
Sam P. Kennedy, campaign manager
for Mr. Henderson, was probably more
caustic than that gentleman in an
swering Mr. Corners charge that if
Mr. Henderson were elected governor
he tkennedy) would be appointed pres
ident of the railroad commission, n
which event, according to Mr.. Conner.
we would have an Alamo gas steal be-
fore you could say SCAT
In answer to this statement Mr.. Ken
nedy characterizes Mr.. Conner as a
mob leader" an assassin of charac-
ter" and as wholly lacking in those
qualities which should fit him for a
public office.
Mr.. Kennedy declared that Mr.. Co
mer's remark could only be accounted
for by reason of his "maddened con-
dftion, brought about by the defeat
that is staring him in the face"
In characterizing Mr.. Conner as
mob leader" Mr.. Kennedy stated that
1t was we'll known fact that in the
early eighties this same ex-governor
did hlmself lead a mob in Calhoun
county for the purpose of lynching two
men, neither of whom was ever tried
or convicted of the offense for which
ne wanted to lynch them."
Regarding Mr.. Comer's charge that
there would be another Alamo gas steal
in the event Mr.. Henderson were elected
Mr., Kennedy said he knew of no rea-
son why he should be mentioned In
that connection. Mr.. Henderson's cam
paign manager said Mr. Conner prom
ised him his support when he ran for
associate railroad commission three
years ago, and declared that two OF
Mr. Corners brothers did support him
In concluding his statement, Mr.. Ken
nedy said:
MY good name is all have, and |
propose to protect it at all hazards
ala not nave the opportunity or the in
ciinatton to lay foundation for a fortune
by selling whisky to 'niggers' as did this
assassin of character
Kennedy Is Salty
Yes, read Mr.. Comer's speech made
at Alfalfa yesterday. and notice where
he Is reported as having made the follow
ing statement" answered Mr. Kennedy:
Mr.. Conner said that il Mr. Henderson
We're elected governor, Sam Kennedy
would be appointed president of the rail-
road commission. Think of it, Kennedy
and McCord. We would have an Alamo
gas steal before YOU could say SCAT
Just what Mr.. Conner meant by such
a statement can only be known to himself
and can only be accounted for by his
maddened condition brought about by the
defeat that Is staring him in the face
why should l be mentioned in connec-
ton with an Alamo gas matter? Surely
not because l am Henderson's campaign
manager. What else, however can be ex
pected from mob leader 1t is a we'll
known fact, or if it is not well known
l will now try to make it known. that
this same ex-governor did himself lead