The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-07
Statement Probably One of Most Vigorous Issued
 During Term
DECLARES COMER NO
 FRIEND OF EDUCATION
Takes Up Corners Record On Child Labor Question and Refers to At titude On Various Public
 Matters
By l.. 6. BETTY

Montgomery, May 6.-(Special. )-The governor of Alabama gave out strong statement this afternoon in reply to charges made by B. B. Conner against his administration and in corrobora- ton of former declaration he has made relative to the former chief executives public and official record.
 The statement Is probably one of the most vigorous issued by the governor during his administration. He declares at the beginning that he Is forced to reply to the former governors charges by which 'he has In every public speech and in every paid advertisement with which he has filled the daily and weekly press sought to discredit my administration, and make me the tar get for his abuse and misrepresenta- tions"
 Replying to MT. Corners charge that he is under the domination of the liquor interests, the governor says that mo man can point to a single act of my administration where the liquor or any other selfish special interest has received any consideration" The governor further asserts that MT. Co., mer began his campaign with ribald slander as his chief stock in trade" and that the pleadings and warnings of friends will not cause him to alter his course until public indignation re- moves him permanently from the po- litical arena.
 The chief executive takes up Co., mers record on the child labor ques- ton and refers to his attitude on vari- ous other public matters In conclu- sion he says that MT Conner claims that ho is a friend of education is un- founded since "he never raised his voice in favor of the only method by which our common school system could permanently advance or pro- gress. system of local taxation which every friend of education has for years been demanding"
 The statement in full follows
 T am not a candidate for any office l have only exercised the privilege possess as a citizen of Alabama in ex- pressing my choice for governor in the approaching primary. Yet for the past two years ever since Mir. Conner announ- ced candidate, he mas in every pub- lie speech and in every paid advertisement with which he has filled the daily and weekly press, sought to discredit my ad
  his abuse and misrepresentations In der the influence of ,indictive hatred he has been restrained by no com punctions of conscience or regard fol truth, but has leveled against me ever, weapon which islander and falsehoot could invent.
 During all this time l remained silent and it only when he undertook to coin into political capital the crime of thieves and embezzlers, only when he and his henchmen sought to assassinate my private character by the uncorrobor- ated and unsupported statement of a convicted felon did 1 break my silence, and in a public speech expose the base conspiracy which he and his hirelings had concocted. The splendid reception &C., corded me on my appearance on the ros- trum was but an expression of public indignation at the despeable campaign methods to which MT Conner had re- sorted. He had faithfully followed in the footsteps Of his close personal friend and political ally. R. P. Hobson, and like him