The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-10
COMER SAYS ISSUE IS NOW SQUARELY BEFORE THE PEOPLE Issues Formal Statement at Opening of His Campaign
 Against Henderson RAILROAD CONTROL
 PARAMOUNT ISSUE Repeats That He Will Sign Whatever Bill the Legislature May Pass
 Affecting Question of
 Prohibition

As an opening gun In his fight against Charles Henderson of Troy for the governorship. of Alabama, B. B. Conner, who received a plurality of votes at the primary last Monday, is- sued a statement to the people of the state yesterday.
 He says the issue is now squarely drawn. The statement reads: ITO my manager, Colonel Garber, and to his assistant. Gen. Bibb Graves, to their many co-workers and to my friends everywhere, my fullest appre- citation and thanks.
 Tn the campaign which we must now make more strenuous than ever. I have been trying to incite public sentiment toward high ideals in our state government. l have been seeking to accomplish in Alabama just what President Wilson Is accomplishing in Washington. the abolition Of the rule of special privileges.
 The confident partiality of some friends led them to expect a major ity in Mondays primary. It matters not to whom the allied interests gave their money and influence shedding
  Every advantage to be derived from manipulation and combination and un- limited use of campaign resources was in favor of the opposition. I antici- pated that the result would be plur ality for myself and would now advise my friends that side issues and per sonal preferences and possible combin ations among many candidates striving for the prize of many offices are all eliminated. Democrats will go to the polls on May II to vote on one great est of all great propositions--no bosses in our homes! No bosses in our state!
 Railroad Control Paramount Issue
 T have believed that the paramount issue in the governors race was rail- road control I have felt that during the past four years our government had been transferred from the people to the allied interests and the supreme issue was to wrest it from the ring that now rules at Montgomery before that rule became absolute and imperv ious to attack. It could not wait.
 "I have felt that the legislature fresh from the people. and instructed by 
 the people desire now to accomplish in the matter of prohibition. have repeatedly said that whatever bill the legislature might pass affecting pro hibition l would sign. If the immediate representatives of the people should think best to retain local option with the county as a unit l would use the power of my office impartially and en- force the law, neither using the ad- ministrative arm of the government to oppress men in counties going wet or the pardoning power to cancel out the law in counties going dry. At the same time I declared everywhere that both the whisky boss and the railroad boss were alike dangerous and subversive of government by the people and I call on the people to join with me and let us take a broom and sweep both bosses out of our capitol where they now sit in absolute control of the of fees of governor and railroad commis- siner.
 The question in this second race still is shall the railroad and whisky interests continue to drive our state government, harnessed like cattle be- tween the traces? They are in con- trol now and are seeking to retain control by electing Charles Henderson governor They were not in control when I was governor and will not be if l am again elected and l call on a1l good men and good women too who love their state, to rally around this great issue in this determining and final struggle.
 Governor O'Neal has said that he would name the next governor and by that means will pay some debts, and he has selected Henderson. Four years ago Charles Henderson said that the allied interests which financed tne amendment campaign would demand compensation for the money contributions which they made and were making in their fight for control of the state government in all it's branches That demand is not changed in 1914 The change is in Mir Henderson, who is now their chosen leader in the fight they are making to retain that con troi at Montgomery which wrote the liquors laws of 1911 and the humilating rate surrender of 1914.
 Gives Railroads Old Power
 Charles Henderson has given back to the railroads their old power to deny in Alabama the rates which they are com Ielled by law to give the people of Geor- gia. We have just seen the regional bank go to Atlanta, great city built on