The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-05
Conner and Local Option


in its nature. Very sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON
Conner and Local Option
1.-The democratic convention, which as
sembled in the city of Montgomery after
Mr. Conner had been nominated for gov
ernor, in the democratic primary, adopted
a platform embracing the declaration of
democratic faith and of party principles.
and pledging the democratic party and
its nominees to abide by the party $
pledges.
"On September 10, 1906 the democratic
state convention adopted the platform
as reported by Capt. Frank S. White,
chairman of the committee on platform
and resolutions, Mr.. Comers then leader,
plank "a of which reads as follows:
." No "a. We favor laws establishing
and governing the privileges of local OPP
tion, Mr.. Conner went before the people
and was elected and inaugurated chief
executive of Alabama, bound as every
one thought by the platform of the party,
that had nominated and elected him. But
no. not so. Plank No. "a proved to be no
platform at all; he refused to stand on
it; it was merely his running board.
Conner and Prohibition
Having become satiated in passing
anti-railroad bills the legislature pro-
ceeded to enact a state wide prohibition
bill which Mr. Conner, dsoyal to the
platform of the party that elected him,
unfaithful TO the letter and spirit of his
party's convenant with the people, with
great alacrity and much ceremony, pro-
ceeded to approve. All. he was bigger
than the party that made him governor.
he could afford therefore to ignore its
pesky pledges!
"But the end was not yet. for the
valiant foemen of demon rum, drunk on
victory. delurious with success. passed a
bill submitting an amendment to our
constitution, providing for the everlast-
ing obliteration of liquor and for eternal
state wide prohibition, which Mr.. Conner
and his cohorts tried to force down our
throats, but we balked.
Mr.. Conner was repudiate ted for his
infidelity to the platform
of the democratic party by an overwhelm-
ing majority against the prohibition
amendment.
Il charge that while the statewide
prohibition law was on the books, Mr..
Conner, the governor of Alabama, each
day that he walked from his Montgom-
cry residence to the state capitol, passed
by four open saloons where whisky was
being sold openly and notoriously over
the bar
Il charge that Mr.. Conner knew that
whisky was being constantly sold in
Montgomery and although the sheriff of
Montg omery county, at the time was Mr.
Comer's appointee and although he hired
private detectives to aid in the suppress
sion of the sale of whisky, that he could
not and did not stop it; that the prohibi-
tion law was regarded as a consummate
farce.
II charge that while the prohibition law
was supposed to be in force whisky was
sold openly over the bar in many of the
counties of this state, notably in Morgan,
Jefferson and Mobile.
''Mr. Conner with characteristic mod
esty, admits that he believes he was the
best governor Alabama ever had" but
in his failure to enforce the prohibition
law did he score his most conspicuous
success.
'sTo compare B. B. Conner with George
s. Houston, Thomas II. Watts and host
of other ilustrious patriots and states
men, who have been governors of Ala
bama would be like contrasting the croak
of tree frog to the caroling of an angel
choir.
Regulation and Railroads
s'The railroad rate question is purely q
false and fictitious issue in Alabama poll
tics. There is no such issue. The su-
preme court of the United States has de-
c1Ocu lndI IDe Idllfodu tOlfllnlSSlO0 1du
adequate power to make rates on intra-
state railroads.
"a statutory rate is purely arbitrary
and not subject to change without legis-
Iative action. A rate made by the rail-
road commission can be raised or low
cred upon short notice. as fairness and
Justice to the railroad and the people
may require.
Conner and the Railroads
'Mr. Conner has waged a crusade in
two campaigns against the railroads Of
the state. The state has expended for
court costs and lawyers fees the prince
iy sum of s199. 4sl .o4. and yet the state
has never won a case. The only change
in railroad rates in Alabama that has
been brought about by Mr. Conner was
arranged by agreement now on file in
the governor S office. 1t is insisted by
those in position to know that the
railroads which have put in 21a cent pas
senger rates, under a system of classi-
fication, were permitted to raise their
freight rates and that the railroads make
more money in increased freight rates.
allowed by Mr.. Comers agreement with
them, than they have lost by reducing
passenger rates.
''Mr. Conner. by his futile fight against
the railroads of the state has cost the
people of Alabama not less than 5000 900
in progress and development
More Railroads Needed
within a few years the interoceanic
cdnal Will be open. The eyes of the en-
tire world will be on Alabama. through
which great portion of the manqfact-
ured articles of the United States must
pass in order to get through the canal.
thence to the far east, where there are
millions Of people eager TO pay fabulous
prices for everything that is raised on