The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-12
NEED OF CLAYTON
IN HOUSE CAUSED
O'NEAL' s ACTIVITY
Reported in Capital Ala
bamians Discussed With
Wilson Hope of Retain
ing ClaytOn's Services
ny L. 5. nErTy

Montgomery. Octobet II. = Especially
What part Governor o'Neal might. have
had in the retirement of Representative
Henry d. Clayton from the senatorial
race is purely matter of conjecture in
official circles here, but the opinion large
ly prevails that the governor of Alabama,
in his desire to save the states represen-
tation in the House, took hand in the
situation.
Governor O'Neal was in Washington
this week, and although he declared that
his business at the national capitol had
to do with matters pertaining to the
state, there seems to be hardly any doubt
that the governor was cognlzant of the
hope to retain the services of Mr.. Clayton
in Congress.
Whether or not he saw the President in
reference to the matter is not known here.
But is is believed that he did, and it is
further believed that the governor was
assisted in his endeavors by other leading
Alabamians at Washington. The sena-
torial situation in Alabama had developed
many complex features the most unfor-
tunate of which would have resulted in
Mr.. Claytons retirement from public life.
The popular chairman of the committee
on the Judiciary was between two mill
stones, and his retirement from the race
meant his salvation. Even had he not
done SO, 1t would not have effected Mr..
Underwood's chances of success.
Had to Support Clayton
Governor O'Neal found himself in pc
culiar position when Mr.. Underwood an
nounced for the Senate against Clayton
and Hobson Inasmuch as he had APP
pointed Mr.. Clayton to fill Senator john
sons unexpired term, he would have been
compelled to support his appointee IN the
present race, no matter Wnat other IN
clinations he might have felt
While a great admirer Of both Mr.. I'm
derwood and Mr.. Clayton, and fully recog-
niziLg their services to the state and coun-.
try, it Is generally known that Governor
O'Neal appointed Mr.. Clayton to the SEN
ate because at the time of Senator john
ston's death he was more available than
was the democratic House leader. Mr..
Underwood was in the midst of his ardu-
GUS duties in the House, and had the gov
ernor named him for the Senate it is ex-
ceedingly doubtful that .he would have
accepted. Hence, Governor O'Neal took
the position that he would be conferring
no compliment upon Mr.. Underwood by
Under other circumstances, and with Mr..
Underwood's labors completed on the tar
If measure his appointment, in view OF
the conspicuous part he played in the eyes
of the country at large. would have been
inevitable.
May be Without Senator
There seems to be every ground for be-
lief that Mr.. Clayton will not be seated
in which event Alabama will be without
senator until the next regular term begins.
There is hardly any basis for belief that
Governor O'Neal will call special ses-
sion of the legislature for the purpose OF
gaining authority from the legislative
body to call special election.
Governor O'Neal has maintained that
he will not call special session of the
legislature unless 1t should become abso-
lutely imperative. The special session
would entail a heavy expense, and, more
over, it is not believed that the state sol
ons would accomplish much real good.
The finances of the state are in fairly
good shape, the railroad commission is
handling the rate situation, and there is
no CRYING demand for the enactment Of
any general laws, though many special
and local laws are needed in certain sec
tions of the state.
However, the demand for a special legis
lative session is not so general as to make
the governor seriously consider calling the
lawmakers together, and unless that de-
mand should be more pronounced than at
the present time, the chief executive VIII