New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-19
customary buzz and rumble were again heard al
along the line.
POLITICS IN ALABAMA,
THINGS ARE BADLY MIXED IN THE DEM
OCRATIC RANKS.
KOLBITEs AND ANTI-KOLBITEs CARRYING on
a MERRY WAR-REPUBLICANs THINK THEY
HAVE a FIGHTING CHANCE. WITH
THE AID OF THE PRoTEC-
TON DEMOCRATS

TIE NID Vi HE fltolfN-
TIoX DEMOCRATS
Birmingham, Ala. Feb. Is (SpeciaD.-"Whom the
Gods would destroy they first make mad a
saving of the ancicn.s which It IS believed applies
to the Democratic party In this State. this time
Probably more completely disorganlzcl following
never fought under banner. Each faction ap-
pears determined to carry its point ana anything
but a spirit OF compromise prevades the whole lot
II IS the worst sort OF a case Of Pull DICK. pull
devil"
The DISRUPTION OF he Democratic party began In
1890 but was not accomplished until 1892 The
farmers Of the State concluded that they not
getting their share of the political pie. They dis
covered the existence OF town ring" which,
they asserted. controlled not only the election ma
chnery in the State but also the distribution Of the
Federal patronage They determined to break this
combination and accordingly put into the field as
the Alliance candidate for Governor Reuben f.
Kolb at the time Commissioner OF Agriculture of
the State Kolb aligned the farmers and laboreTs on
his side and worked up enormous enthusiasm.
There were four candidates for the nomination be-
sides himself Kolb had almost majority of all
the delegates but the other three combined against
him and nominated Jones, the present Governor.
kob and his followers submitted but not gracOusly.
They believed their man had been swindled. but
! all went to work and supported Jones notwith-
standing.
| Immediately thereafter Kolb commenced his sec
! feat and went into the convention of 1892 stronger
! Than ever There were numerous contending dele
gales TO the convention and Jones's crowd got con-
| troll and seated all of their Then kolb's fol-
! lowers rebcled. They went in another hall ana
seated all of their delegates. styled themselves the
| Jcffersonlan. true Democrats nominated koo
and 4 State ticket. and the hottest campaign ever
! known in this State began.
Jones was renominated by the organized Demo
Gratis The election came about In due time, the
votes were counted and Jones was declared elected
Koib and his followers openly charged fraud ana
asserted that they had carried the election by @o"N
, white majority. An enormous kick was made on
the part of Kolbs supporters. but 1t avaiied them
! nothing Jones took his seat second time There
| upon Kolb Immediately commenced his present cam
! pagn He tore open his old sores afresh ana
! nounted the flag of Democratic reform In the faces
Of the farmers and the tradesmen. the Popuilsts
! the dlsaNected Democrats and the Republicans. All
but the latter rallied around him. and the big con
yention held ut this place last week the result
That Kob has a large following there Is 10
doubt and they are almost entirely drawn from the
! ranks OF the Democracy His crowd insist ina
! they are the true Democrats OF the state. l"ey
have persuaded the Populiss that their Interests
are one-"The farmers and the masses VS. th'
classes" Hence these TWO parties IN this state are
as IN sympathy and In purpose. ho'p eNpec"
the support Of the Republicans in the state e.ec
,ions but appearances are he will not get Il TIVE
or three honest Republicans were present at M
convention here but took part In II. on W.
contrary quite a number OF prominent Repuplcdh
met elsewhere In the city the same DAY ans
resolved 10 keep the Republican party of the Stat
free from changing alliances and get II well or
ranized for work in the Congress and National cleo
lions Nothing can be gained. they hold. by hep
ing Kob's crowd OF Democrats into power-ever!
one Of them would vote for a Democratic rathe
than a Republican President or Congressman
They proved this in the last elections. As matte
! Of fact however the Third Party VIII have candi
dates OF It's own in every district in the state an
q Republican candidate for Congress couldn't ex
pect a thing from the Third Party voters. VIII
the Democratic party thus split in twain, ana Wit
each half of Il subdivdci. the RepuDhcahS ca
hope 10 win with their own votes.
Discussed with the demoralZdton IN th'H u"
ranks many former Democrats VIII cross over
the Republicans Moreover the northern ht!i
Alabama Is wrought up over the taIiH 'eSIsdu,
/ OF the Democrats About $1DOpVD mas beri ~
vested here in the last score Of years IN me Hn'h
Of coal and iron and the manufacture OF tht Iti'l
The owners and operators OF these prVperu"S' w
rres= and practically all Of the voters IN this SEC
ION Of the state believe the passage OF the WIS"
/ I'M would be a dcathb0w TO these inEcstineil'
! The mechanics and workmen who get her brei
ere arr.yed against the National Administration
| Many are now suffering from lack OF T1fk an
charge Cleveland with their trouDes ilV,,c', ~
| represents the greatest wealth ana proDtuy ~
a,~tr,,esf ru,nhor of people Of Alabama. and n
Wilson bill even If Il goes no furtner than u ma
! ALREADY gone viii cost the Democratic party man
thousands Of votes IN Alabama ,,
For those reas1 ns and for others. the independei
| branch Of the Republicans argue Tor HlIil. :,
fight on true Republican principles. tnl,ed; 81
| Rnnuhllcan party has more than one-thTi or ~
| yotos Of the state with the Democrats 50 elua..
divided they thnk they see a Roou c.ahcr
elect a Republican Governor ana ''"'e 0''N'''