Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-09
NO MORE srRAppLINe.

In a double leaded article yesterday the Advertiser says 1t has given two days consideration to the serious politi- cal condition in Alabama. and the result of that prolonged and serious coHsidera- tion is its opinion that Governor Oates should consent to allow himself nomi- mated for a. second term" It says that "he is entitled to it under party usage" and that Captain Johnston, the only probable contestant, is generally recog- nized as too loyal party man-to dispute Governor Oates right to second nom- nation under established party usage, and that 1t is understood that Captain Johnston freely says that if Governor Oates should claim his privilege he him self will not allow his name used.
 The State Herald yesterday corrected this last statement that Captain Johnston had made or authorized any such state ment. The Advertiser proceeds to say that it went to Governor Oates and laid before him the overwhelming party ex- igeney requiring his consent to be renom- mated, and it reports Governor Oates as replying that he had said on the stump last year that he would not be a candi- date for reelection and would seek to succeed MT. Pugh, that he could not go back on his declarations but that he had always served the party whenever and wherever it had made demand upon him and that he would not refuse the nomination for governor next year if 1t was tendered him." and this the Adverti- ser construes into a full settlement of the question.
 Whatever may be claimed in the way of party precedent it certainly has never yet extended to one who was not asking an indorsement of his administration and a desire to obtain and serve a second term. It is perfectly manifest that this is not Governor Oates purpose, but that he intends, whether renominated or not, to continue a candidate for the senate, and not fill the office of governor unless defeated for the senate.
 The question that will come up in the minds of many will be whether the Ad- vertiser does not desire the defeat of Cap tain Johnston much more than anything else. If the necessity is great that there should be no contest for the nomination for governor it doubtless occurs to
  bama that it would be just as easy to secure the result by advocating the nom- ination of Captain Johnston. There is no practical opposition to the nomina- ton of Captain Johnston in the state ex- cept that led by the Advertiser. We do not know whether Captain Johnston pro- poses to be a candidate for governor or not; we are sure that he could make much stronger race and be more certain of election than any other democrat in the state, and we are sure if he is dis posed to enter the race there is nothing stated in the Advertisers article that will prevent his doing so. No governor has ever been renominated who was not an open and avowed candidate for re- election.
 The Advertiser reports Governor Oates as saying that "he could not go back on his declarations that he would not be candidate" We suppose Governor Oates sincere in this declaration. If he says what he means and means what he says he will not be candidate for governor. Since the above has been put in type an interview with Governor Oates by our Montgomery correspondent which Is published elsewhere. shows that Govern or Oates has not gone back on his decla- ration that he would not be a candidate for governor, but reiterates his determi- nation to stand for the senate, and the Advertisers leader on this subject is without any proper foundation.