The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-16
Has Not Yet Determined
Course in Filling Senaa
tOrial Vacancy
WANT JEFFERSON FEE
SYSTEM ABOLISHED
Members See Need of Special Law
Enabling Governor to Borrow
Money-Others Want Laws
Looking to Judicial Reform
by L. $. BETTY

Montgomery October 15.-(Special)
Governor o'NeaI has not yet determined
what he Will do in reference to filing
the senatorial vacancy Since returning
last Sunday from Washington. where he
conferred with President Wilson,, Repre-
sentative Oscar w Underwood and Rep
resentative Henry d. Clayton in regard
to the situation in Alabama. the chief
executive has given much thought to
the matter. but is apparently no nearer
decision than he was several sdays
ago.
The governor is still of the opinion
that he has the power to appoint, and
his legal advisors sustain him in that
conviction. However, it was never as
certained whether or not his appointce
would be seated, the resignation of Mr..
Clayton having removed every chance
of determining that question The be-
lief is very strong, though. that Mr.. Clay
ton would not have been seated in the
Senate, and il such were true in Mr..
Claytons case, there is little probability
that anyone else's credentials would be
accepted. The other courses open to
the governor are a special session of the
legislature or a special election. Though
the latter course is no more popular than
the method of appointment, since it is
doubted that any one chosen at sper
cial election, which had not been author
lied by the legislature, in conformity
with the provisions of the seventeenth
amendment would be rendered his seat.
HENCE, many believe that the only eaurse
open to the gov ernor, certainly the only
certain course. is through the legisla-
ture
The legislature might either authorize
him to appoint a senator pending spe-
cial election, or might authorize him to
call the election at once Opinion runs
pretty strong in official circles that Gov
ernor ONeal will be compelled to call
the legislature together If he wishes to
fill the senatorial vacancy. He may not
do so, in which event there is strong
probability that Alabama will be with
out a second representative in the Uni
ted States Senate until the next regular
election.
Other Matters Need Attention
1oNerilcf ONeal Is De1nS urged by
many influential and prominent men in
the state to call the legislature together.
Moreover. he is being urged to put in
the call within the next few weeks.
The senatorial situation is not the only
matter, 1t is declared, which needs legis-
lative action. Members of the state leg
islature from Jefferson county are urg-
ing special session on the grounds that
the fee system of that county should be
abolished.
Other members of the two houses see
the need for special law which will
enable the governor to borrow more
money for the state, to the extent of the
full constitutional limit, and others see
the demand for legislation looking to ju-
dicial reform. Methods of increasing the
states revenues and the enactment of
other laws.
But Governor O'Neal has not intimated
what he will do. He declares that he
has not made up his mind, and that he
will not announce his decision, either
with reference to calling the legislature
together or, in the matter of filling the
senatorial vacancy, until he has given
the question deep and careful considera-
tion.