The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-22
Governor Issues Reply to
Congressman from Sixth
in Answer to Attacks
Made Upon Him
IO'NEAL'S UTTERANCES
FAIRLY TINGLE WITH
SARCASM AND REBUKE
Declares Hobson's Theories and Cons
ception of Constitutional and Cow
ernmental Questions Are
Somewhat Confused
and Unsound
nv u 5. BETTY

Montgomery, August 2I.--tspeciaID
Declaring TINT the s'Horid warmth1'i Of
Captain Richmond Pearson fiobson's
language sis eauaiIed only by the Bit
terness of his disappointment" in fnil-
ing to secure the appointment to the Of
flee of United states senator 10 suc-
ceed the late senator Joseph r. Johns
ton and confirming the report which
appeared In last sunday Age-IIeraid
to the effect that Captain Hobson had
agreed Tint an appointment world he
valid. and asserting that no appoints
ment was ever made from the execu-
tive office of this state that received
more universal praise from the press
and public than that of Represenfn-
tive Henry ID. Clayton. Governor O'Neat
today issued reply to the congresses
man from the Sixth district In answer
20 the several attacks made upon the
executive from that quarter.
tovernor o'Seni Mt the outset of his
statement confirmed the news story
published In The Age-Herald reporting
the conversation which occurred be-
tween the executive aud Captnsn Hob-
son In the lobby OF the Morris hotef
Mt birmingham, In which Ii svus stated
that Captain Hobson had Informed the
governor that he believed an appoints
nient would be valid.
Rhetoric Is Astonishing
He then takes up in detail each of Cap
tam Hobson's charges. He declares that
Captain Hobson's rhetoric is as astonish-
ing anf sfoclSing as MS loefe that 81
has unwittlngly run into a feni de sac
and that even The resources of the hero
of the Merimac cannot serve to rescue
him from his pitiable dilemma
In referring to his failure to consider
Captain Hobson FOR the vacancy in the
Senate the governor declares that .his
theories and conceptions of constitutional
ana governmental questions are somewhat
confused and unsound."
Il am frank to say that in my humble
opinion he has failed to grasp the true
theories of our constitutional government
and the fundamental principles of the
democratic party"
In reference to Captain Hobsons state
ment that he (I1obson) felt a .modicum or
sympathy for the governor in the storm
OF criticism which had fallen upon his
head as result Of his appointment the
executive says, II am so ungratious as TO
admit that | neither ask nor respect sued,
sacrifice from Il man of his unselfsh
nature.n
Reply Is Caustic
Governor OiNeal then declares that with
one exception every daily paper in Ala
bama has commended him for appointing
Representative Clayton to the senatorial
vacancy. and further states: "The weekly
press has Joined in this chorus of ap-
proval, and the only dissent has come
from the lugubrious voice Of the gallant
captain, whose unruly exhibition of tenn
per would seem to Indicate that he at
least was awakened to the fact that Mr..
Claytons appointment is fatal blow to
his senatorial aspirations"
The governors reply Is eaustic through
out and his utterances fairly tingle with
sarcasm and rebuke. He charges keen
disappointment TO Captain Hobson for
failing TO secure the appointment, and de-
clares that such words as dark conspir-
acy," sinister interests" and others OF
their kind, dance through his article in
all the mazes of metaphorical eonfusion.'
His statement IN full is as follows:
Governor O'Nears Statement
capt Richmond Pearson Hobson seems
to be seething with Indignation because
in the exercise of my constitutional power
! appointed Hon. Henry ID. Clayton United
States senator TO fill the unexpired term
of the late Senator Joseph f. Johnston.
Twice through the public press has
he sought to make me the target OF his
wrath, and In his last communication che
| florid warmth of his language Is equaled
only by the bitterness of his disappoint-
ment at my failure to name him for the
vacancy.
such words as dark conspiracy, sim
lister interests. arbitrary appointment
honest Iago,' startling somersault.'
sick and buried and bleeding state
Continued ON Page Two)