The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-05
Joint Session Tries to Place Burden of Financial Situa-
 tiOn on the Governor
DO NOT EXPECT TO
 CARRY OUT IDEA
Governor Not Deferred by Strategic Move on Part of Politicians to Appear a Part They Do
 Not Feel
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

Montgomery, February 4.-(Spe- cial. )-Leaders of the legislature in joint session this morning and after noon attempted to put the burden of the present situation on the shoulders of Governor Henderson.
 As is generally known, the chief ex- ecutive has endeavored to persuade the legislature to act, to do something com prehensive and worth while before ad- Journng for recess. The leaders of the legislature, by their action in caucus to- day, went on record as being willing to act, especially in regard to finances But as had been expected by the gover- nor, the legislative leaders when pressed in corner, went to the other extreme It. is, after all. apparently. a game oi politics. No one expects the leaders who agreed this morning to the abolition of practically every department of the state government, to carry out their pro- eramme. The idea prevails that even If they could do so, they would not. How ever, they feel confident that they can now go forth in safety in that they have l appeared willing, in accordance with the direction of the governor. to retrench or 'egislate in order that financial burdens might be lessened. How Move Is Construed
 But will the people believe that the ieeislature, in expressing willingness tc go too far. has in reality rallied to the | emergency? In other words. have the members escaped from the corner into which Governor Henderson, through his various messages, have driven them? The move of the political tacticians to- cay does not contain the element of
 originality. It is an old game As far hack as the time of Moses those in power, when presented with proof that | it was necessary to do that which they desired to leave undone, have acted eX- cessively in the hope that by extreme measures, the thing accomplished would be nullified,
 Tha above is an intimation of the con-
 sIruction placed by political students on
 the action of the legislators today Gov ernor Henderson. it might be added, au- heres to this view. And. it might be aided further,' he is not chagrIned. He ! is not peeved He is not disturbed In other words, it is evident that the gov crnor adheres to the idea that his po- sition will be supported by the people, and that the action of the legislature in $ pI caring willing to do that which they 3lreviously appeared to be unwilling to do, will not receive the sanction of the ! 'folks back home.''
 Governor Henderson. when interviewed this afternoon by the correspondent If 1 The Age-Herald, was remarkably at ease. of course, he knew of what had take T
 place. He smiled and even laughed Fhsre seems to be no room for doubt but that he is satisfied. The people he holds, are too wise to be- longer fooled by politicians. He believes that the peo . pie know he has tried to accomplish for the good of the state, and that the blame which must of necessity be attached to failure. will not be justly lodged, if
 lodged at all, next his door.
 The Governor Smiles Still There is no reason why the legisla- ture and l should not agree, said the (COntinued Page Tcn.y