Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-23
GEORGE P. JONES, "CHARLES E. WALLER.' ''

"CHARLES E. WALLER.
 Committeeman Bullock's Comment.
 MT. William J. Bullock of Russellville. Ala, was in the city yesterday on his re- turn from the meeting of the state demo- cratic executive committee, of which he is a member MT. Bullock was seen at the Morris hotel by a representative of the State Herald and expressed himself quite freely on the result of the meeting of the committee and the political out look in the state.
 ''The action of the executive commit tee," said MT. Bullock, will be indorsed by the old guard in north Alabama. In my opinion it will tend very much to- ward strengthening the democratic par ty all over the state, particularly in north Alabama. The Jeffersonian party is now no more; the action of the committee re- duces the political status in Alabama to three separate and distinct political par ties-democratic, republican and popu- list-and those voters formerly known as Jeffersonian democrats have now to se- lect between these three. The action of the committee in inviting our brethren back into the house of their fathers think is opportune and right, and now that the committee has extended such liberal, cordial-and I might say sweep ing and nditional-invitation, there Is no other resource left for those who have all along avowed themselves demo- cratS put 10 act Wlln anu dDlue the WISH es of the party as expressed at the pri- maries
 "The position of Governor Oates when he4made the race in 1894 was that he fa- Vored Sthe free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 20 to 1, and Mir. Clarkes position even at that time was in favor of the gold standard as pure as 1t flowed from MT. Cleveland's spring Our people in north Alabama who sup ported MT. Oates at that time did so thinking that they were acting for the best interest of their party, and not that they agreed with him on even the ratio he selected. The democrats of north Alabama are bimetallists, pure and sim pie. This is now the issue with them and those same men who supported Gov ernor Oates for the nomination two years ago may be correctly placed in the John ston column as true and loyal support CTS not only of his candidacy but the principle he advocates"
 What do you think of Captain John ston's chances for the nomination."
 "I do not think there is the slightest doubt of bis nomination and election He will certainly sweep north Alabama like a cyclone. There are two special req sons why the people of Alabama will support Captain Johnston for governor:
 T. There Is an innate sense of justice in the minds of the masses; they believe that Johnston has proved himself a hero on the field of battle and a Nestor in thel councils of the democratic party; that he has devoted much of his time his tal- ent and his money to the success of the democracy of Alabama, and while hon. ors have been showered upon those who have done far less than he, he has stood as steadfast and true, though unreward- ed. as many who have slipped the very nectar of their political ambitions
 "2. He stands today as the representa- tive of those who believe in the free coin age of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, and with all due difference to the talented and distinguished gentleman who has been thrust unnecessarily into this con- test the democracy of Alabama demands the nominate of Captain Johnston, and when nominated he will not only draw the largest support that would be given any other candidate. but will blend to- gether all the discordant elements which for months it has seemed would break in twain the grand old party of our fa- thers. In brief. the nomination of John ston means unity and victory"
 MT. Bullock, how does north Alabama stand on the financial question:"
 ''In my county (Franklin) 1 don't hon. estly believe there are twenty gold stand ard men out of voting population of 25OO"
 How does Franklin compare with the other north Alabama counties?"
 North Alabama is very largely in favor of free coinage-in fact, to speak