The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-27
Silence on Prohibition Still
One of Anomalies of the
Present Campaign
WILL JEFFERSON
STAND BY ITS SON?
Conner and Wallace Will Both Be in
Union Springs TomOrrOw-After-
math of Gaines Chapel
Speech
nx HuGH NV. RonnRrs

During the past 10 days B. B. Conner.
ex-governor and candidate for COVER
nor, has managed to keep himself
prominently before the eyes of the
state.
He first issued an interview, printed
in The Age Herald. to the effect that
there was al work in the state cap
itol a railroad lobby. Then he issued
an interview. printed in The Age Her
aid, to the effect that Charles Hender-
son, president of the railroad commits
sion, had been tempted by the rail-
roads, that he had fallen down and
worshipped, and that the railroads by
cutting off both his ears had branded
him their own. His third sensational
utterance occurred Thursday at Gaines
Chapel, where he hurled imprecations
both on the quick and the dead.
general impression has gone
abroad that the Gaines Chapel speech
of Mr.. Conner was the bitterest of his
career. That assertion. however, is
doubted, and positively denied by those
who heard the former governor, then
governor, deliver an address at Clan
ton in the fall of 1909. that in which he
termed those who opposed his splendid
effort to write prohibition in the con-
stitution of Alabama cowardly skunks,
Silent on Prohibition
However that might be, 1t is indis-
putab1y true that Mr.. Conner was very
successful in his efforts to obtain an
almost exclusive position behind the
~
that he has talked to a considerable
extent, he has not abandoned his de-
fense of his administration and has
rot yet stated unequivocally whether
or not he will embrace in the present
campaign statewide prohibition.
Inasmuch as in few months 21s :
cent passenger rate will be in effect
on all the railway lines of this state
and in1smuch, also, as the commodity
rates will be soon put into effect, there
Is scarcely a question but that Mr.. CO.
mer's efforts to make the people be-
lieve that the present issue is railroad
rate regulation will fail. 1t has been
suggested that Mr. Conner is awaiting
Developments before expressing him
self in regard to what regulations
should be resorted to in regard to the
control of the liquor traffic. In the
meanwhile Walter d. Seed. his oppon-
ent, is running for governor on a plat
form which provides for state- wide
prohibition and Mr.. Henderson, Reu-
ben F. Kolb and John H. Wallace, Jr.
on platforms which provide for local
option. No student of state politics can
deny but that prohibition will be an
issue in the present campaign, for the
reason that the prohibitionists are de
termined to make it an issue.
Conner and Prohibition
Mr.. Conner has been on both sides
of the prohibition panel of the po-
litica1 balustrade. AS Is remem bered,
he was elected governor on a plat
form which declared for local option.
He secured the support of practically
all the saloon proprietorfs and the
clerks whom they controlled. Some OF
them went so far as to write over
their counters, Conner is the man."
However, 6 statewide prohibition bill
was enacted during his term of Of
flee, and so servile was the Conner
that 1t would not have so
acted. 1t is generally said, but for the
fact that 1t knew it would not by so
acting incur the displeasure of the
chief executive. He approved this bill
He then approved a bill providing for
an election the issue of which was con-
stitutional prohibition.
There followed the bitterest cam
paign In the history of the state. and
one of the principal speakers was Gov
ernor Conner. AS stated above, in his
speech at Clanton. he declared that
those who stood against the adoption
of that amendment and its incorpor-
alton with its search clauses into the
constitution of the state were coward
ly skunks.
Tne amendment was defeated and
chiefly as a result of the bitterness
engendered in that campaign Alabama
was elevated out of the column of
blind tiger" states.
Jefferson in Dispute
1t is understood that the prohibf-
tionists are determined to support no
man who has refrained from plainly
stating his position in regard to the
regulation of whisky traffic. 1t Is prac-
tically certain that Mr.. Conner will
not be supported again by the local
optionists or by those who are finan-
cially interested in the operation of
saloons
In this connection 1t Is interesting
to speculate on whether or not Mr.
Conner will be able to carry this, JEFF
ferson, his own county. Over Dr. R.
NJ Cunningham. rs Is remembered he
secured a majority of less than 1000.
In that primary election he was sup
ported not only by the saloon element
but by the laboring element. At the
present time he is opposed by both,
nd fn he ohal,
that his former majority of less than
1000 will be abridged.
The other candidates, encouraged by
the existence of this probability, are
to make a vigorous campaign
in Jefferson in order that its vote
might be cast for some other than
its adopted son.
Some Future Events
Tomorrow John H. Wallace, Jr.. can
didate for governor, and Mr.. Conner,
will speak at Union Springs. Mr.. WAL
lace has challenged Mr.. Conner to meet
him in joint debate. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Conner will decline. although
it may happen that he will be present
when Mr.. Wallace repeats his former
remarks concerning the ex-governor
On August 8 the five gubernatorial
candidates will be brought together. 1t
Is understood All of them have ac-
cepted, 1t Is understood. Invitations to
attend picnic at Brent. in Bibb coun-
ty. two miles out from Centreville
Between the present and that date
all of the candidates Will be In the
field and the welkin will be kept In
a continuous ring. Excitement will re-
main supreme in case the sensational
charges and countercharges of the past
two weeks are continually repeated.
The ambitious candidates are evil
IDENTIFY determined to arouse the people