Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-11
MACHINE POLITICS.

The AGE- HERALD has no candidate for the Congressional nomination in this district, and will not have until he is named by the Democratic party in conven- tion assembled; hence it has the privilege as Democratic journal of entering it's protest against the machine method adopted by the Executive Committee yester- day, so pelpably in the interest of one as- pirant for distinction at the hands of the party and honors from the people. Allu-
 > is made to the resolution re- apportioning representation in---the -- Congressien2i convention, and thereby C. G E5ling the strength of Jefferson county 3, one-third. The proceedings of the com mittee are without precedent, and will fail to meet the approval of fair minded Demo- .crats throughout the district, who will not be slow to stamp the action the daring and damaging work of machine politics.
 The committeeman did not 50 much as present figures and by any mathematical rule fix the apportionment but so arranged -~the matter in wholesale way as to take what they supposed might be needed to weaken Jefferson, and added to other coun- lies just to suit the occasion. This is the way it looks on it's face, and the deed will be hard to explain to the satisfaction of the Democracy of the Ninth district.
 This is machine politics in most ag gravated form, and is full of danger to the best interests of the party.
 It is not charged that this is the first time in the history of party politics that the burden of machinery has been placed upon Democracy. It was charged in pri. maries of last spring, in limited way, but never as approaching such high handed and indefensible degree as this action of yesterday. While this work was repetition of "gripding the machine for the benefit of the grinders, - it's enormity consists in it's being done under the bright beaming light of glorious Democratic victory, just won by true Democrats, who stood bravely together as one man in months of unceasing warfare against the foes of good government; at time when it has just been clearly demonstrated that it will require the utmost harmony, the united forts, the most strenuous zeal and soli6ity to hold the Ninth district in the hands of Democracy.
 The protest of Democrats against such action does not bring into question their fealty to the Democratic party. Such ques- tonable methods deserve censure and de- mand the most scrutinizing Investigation, and in this case will no doubt receive every attention at the hands of men who hold the interests of the party in much higher esteem than they do the personal ambition of men.
 MT. Hawkins notice of appeal to the State committee to right this wrong was most wise and timely. Let the matter go to this higher power, ,and if it's stamp of ap- proval be placed upon it the Democracy of the Ninth district will acquiesce, join hands and enter the battle. If wrong has been committed, as now so plainly appears, let the State committee so announce, and this Democracy will not be slow to right that wrong.
 This is DO time for discord among Demo- crats, and there must be no excuse for it. It is time for reconciliation, for strength ening our ranks, for bringing back the wayward and the recalcitrant, and this can only be done by manifestation of a spirit of fairness in our party organ ization.