The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
HENDERSON READS MESSAGE TO JOINT
 SESSION OF SOLONS
New Governor Sets Precedent In Appearing In Person Legislature to Urge Reforms Message Deals Specf- cally With Financial Conditions of State
 Outlines Position On Liquor Question
By l.. .. BETTY

Fly L..
 Montgomery, January 26.-(Special.) For the first time in the history of the state, the governor of Alabama today ap- peared before joint session of the house and senate and read a message to the leg islature. Practically the entire member ship of the two legislative bodies heard Governor Henderson's address.
 The message of the governor dealt spe- officially with the financial condition of the state. He recommended that the legisla- ture authorize the borrowing of s3O0, COG and an amendment to the constitution, to be submitted at the earliest possible mo- ment authorizing the issuance of bonds In such an amount as may be necessary to pay the states indebtedness.
 Governor Henderson called attention to those appropriations made by the legisla- ture Of 1911 which were made contingent or conditional. and which annually az gregate S1, ,2S3 5lS.75. During the four years of the previous administration the former governor paid out of these contingent ap- propriations $2,536, 676. 23 leaving an amount at the expiration of his term still subject to the release of the governor aggregating s1 ,9i2, 361 .27.
 To take care of this indebtedness. as well as to provide a fund necessary to pay the states deficit, the governor rec commended the borrowing of S30O.0O0 which, he declared, could be absorbed during his administration by the excess of receipts over disbursements The bal ance owed by the state, amounting to nearly S20O0,0O0, could be. taken care of by a bond issue, the bonds to be retired by January l, 1s30.
 Regarding other contingent appropria- lions. Governor Henderson said:
 "No conditional or contingent appropria- ticns ought to be made by the legislature at this time or under any conditions, dependent solely upon the discretion of the governor. The legislature should as- sume it's legal and constitutional respon- sibility of making definite appropriations in every instance. thereby relieving the governo" of the responsibility of deciding with reference to such demands"
 Attitude on Liquor Question
 h beginning his message, Governor Henderson stated that while he regarded tie ifduor traffic as "an evil against which society should battle" he believed that the best method for the permanent extinction of the traffic in Alabama was that the respective counties be allowed the option of determining whether the traffic should prevail.
 NY NleWS dS to tHe pest methods to De pursued for minimizing the traffic and progressing to its-nltimate distinction did not meet the approval of the legislature, !" he said. Then, referring to his amend ment, which was defeated by the legisa- ture, the governor declared:
 For my part, as your governor, the question has now been settled and the agitation should cease"
 Crowded galleries heard Governor Hen T I,f. quently interrupted by applause. His ap- pearance before the legislature, which marks the first time in the history of Ala bama that q governor of the state has read his message to the legislature, made a distinctly favorable impression upon the members of the two houses and he has been warmly commended for his action.
 Following is his message in part:
 "To the senate and house of represent atives of the state of Alabama.
 "Gentlemen: In my opening address as candidate for governor delivered at Troy, expressed the lifelong conviction that, The organized liquor traffic of the Uni ted States is the bane of our civilization, and trust the like of which the world has never known; with it's tentacles reach ing into every organized government in America, and for it's own profit debauch- ing our citizenship and taking a toll of N+'NNN full man.
 No act of mine, no utterance of mine has been other than in accordance with my convictions that the traffic in liquors has always been, and must ever be, an evil against which society should battle. pushing it's lines forward as rapidly as wisdom, effectiveness. and honesty of pur- pose could justify or sanction. With these convictions. l entertain and have often expressed the further opinion, that the best method for the permanent eXtinc- tion of the liquor traffic in Alabama was, that it be allowed the respective coun- ties the option to determine by ballot whether the traffic should prevail therein and in what form it should be tolerated.
 Ultimate Extinction
 Tn the manner prescribed by the con stitution, l, as governor, have presented to you this matter of method for the ult- mate extinction of the traffic: to the end that sobriety and the highest con- servation of human helpfulness, human comfort and human character as well as the wise nurturing of all the fruits and effects of human endeavor might be es- tablished throughout Alabama, and the temptation to intemperance, with it's un- holy consequence, be removed from the pathway of our religious and material progress.
 My views as to the best method to be pursued for minimizing the traffic and progressing to it's ultimate extinction, did not meet the approval of the legisla- ture. Under and in accordance with the constitutional responsibility which the legislature may assume. you have writ ten into law the policy of statewide pro- hibition, and in accordance with section 120, of the constitution, I, as the gov- ernor, shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
 ''To the performance of this duty I shall devote all the sovereign powers of the state of Alabama which are given the executive, to the end that the state will not suffer it's supreme authority and dignity to be flouted, spurned, and ig- nored by any manifestations of lawless- hess anywhere within its boundaries. Lawlessness shall not minify the execu- tive. The law shall and will prevail.
 Tn line with this duty and your ac- ton in writing statewide prohibition into law, and that that duty may be per- formed by the executive, and the dignity and authority of the law vindicated, l have approved house bill No. 6. known as the enforcement act. sa
 For my part, as your governor, the question has now been settled and the agitation should cease.
 Other Legislation
 Tt is now our duty. with the same jealous spirit, to take up the other legis- lation so urgently needed by the state at this time, and press it to d success ful conclusion, that the confidence of the people will be firmly established in representative government.