Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-15
THE COMBINE COMPLETE. Jefersonians, Populites and Re- publicans Join Hands,
 -------- ---'----=r'> AND TRUMAN H. ALDR ICH Will Be the Bell Weather of the Flock in the March
 to Defeat.

BLoCroN, Sept. 14.-TStaff Correspond ence. 1.-The Jeffersonians and populites oi the Ninth district have indorsed MT. T. H. Aldrich, the republican nominee for con- gress, and if the dictates of the leaders are obeyed he will receive the support of those two parties in the November election. ? eThe convention for the Ninth district as- sem bled here at 3:30 p. m. today, and SC. lected campaign and executive committees to manage the present campaign, and to conduct its affairs for the next two years.
 The proceedings of the convention were entirely harmonious, the delegates having agreed in caucus not to make any nomina- tion for congress, but to recommend that the popuiites and Jeffersonians support Mir. Aldrich. This they did.
 On arriving here last night the delegates repaired to the hotel, where they got sup per and from there to the speaking. Fol- lowing the speaking was caucus or con- ference between the delegates and leaders, which lasted until late hour.
 At s:30 this morning the delegates met in Odd Fellows hall, and from that hour un- ctil 2 o'clock they remained behind closed doors discussing what action to take.
 The following resolution was the nbject of the principal discussion, aud before opening the doors and admitting e pub lie 1t was unanimously adopted:
 Whereas, We recognize in the Hon. Truman H. Aldrioh a man of the highest capabilities and integrity of character, and a man in every way fitted to represent this district in the congress of the United States.
 Resolved, That we, the delegates of the peoples party and Jeffersonian democracy in convention assembled, recommend that the voters of our respective parties cast their ballots for the said Truman H. AL drlch in the congressional election to be held in this district in November next.
 The delegates did not object to support ing MT. Aldrich. They had nothing against him personally, but some of them came under instructions to act differently to the intentions of this resolution, and they were not willing to adopt it without confering with their constituents. Others were opposed to going bodily into the re- publican camp; they wanted to fight their own battles and let the democrats and re- publicans do likewise.
 To conciliate these men, said to be only two in number, the caucus was continued for five and a half hours, during which time all the prominent leaders of the Jefferson ians and populites took a hand in the speaking. Captain Kolb was there and spoke. So did MT. Bowman, Mr. Skaggs, MT. Adams and others.
 The republicans, and in fact every one who was not delegate, was excluded from this caucus, but the speakers exercised their lung power so forcibly that they could be heard for block or two away, and what they said was a secret to the out siders only by their own inclination.
 When the doors were thrown open and the public admitted, Rev. s. M. Adams of Bibb was elected chairman, and Dr. G. B. Grove of Perry secretary.
 A committee was appointed to wait on MT. Aldrich and invite him to address the convention, after which adjourn ment was taken until 3:3O p. m.
 MIR. ALDRIcH's SPEECH.
 On reassembling Dr. Grove of that com mittee announced that MT. Aldrich was present, and he was introduced by Chair man Adams.
 Mir. Aldrich said:
 MIR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN: thank you for the confidence reposed in me today, and for your kind indorsement l am very grateful. It was my good fortune to be resident of this town for ten years, and have seen Blocton grow from an old field to thriving town of 4O00 population. The miners andaresidents here know all about me, and to them refer you as to my char acter.
 'We have banded together for common cause-honest elections, free ballot and a fair count; for liberty and freedom from this black belt ballot stealing. If for eigner were to set his foot upon this soil and attempt such, all republicans, Jeffer- sonlans, populites and perhaps the demo- crats would band to repel them. Tbe bal lot box suffer is nothing but thief-he steals your votes.
 ''Before accepting this nomination 1 talked with great many men iD Birming- nam ot influence and heads of large insti- tutions, and they said they would help us to put down this fraud. A great many who are supposed to be democrats will vote for your candidate in November.
 'l read from the republican platform adopted at Birmingham, that clause about