Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-16
W.K-Tarrv.

I am amazed that Mr.. Weakley should
think this committee or any member
thereof should wish to thwart the will of
the people (Applause) On the contrary,
we are here to carry out the will of the
people. (Applause) 1t was contemplated
that the boxes should be brought TO the
committee, and not to the county conyen-
ton. The gentleman protests too much.
We are honorable men, II the votes are
there we will count them for whom they
have been cast. We only desire to de-
clare upon the prima facie right of dele
gates. The certificates are in the boxes,
and no man can object to opening the
boxes and giving the certificates"
Dr.J. 8. Gillespie.
MIR. Weakley says it is too late TO do
what is right. am a delegate from Cleve-
/ land beat. We got no certificates; they
are In the boxes, How else can we get the
certificates than by opening the boxes?
Party precedent has been that way since
1880. Cleveland beat-wlll be cut out if
we do not open the boxes. -
j. B. Arid.
1--WE are bound to follow our campaign
plan. The plan SAID the managers must
certify who are prima facle delegates to
the convention. If certificates are in the
boxes take them out, but the managers
must certify to them If we decide other
wise the convention will declare that we
have exceeded our authority. If john
ston Is the nominee l shall be the first to
fall in line. (Applause.) We believe the
managers did right. We would exceed
our authority. We are not here to set
ourselves up above the party"
c. b. Powell-Mr. Weakley makSs this
a matter of conscience. offer my mation
from conscience. 1 have democratic
conscience. The state committee decides
the prima facie delegates to the conyen-
ton. If the state committee does 1t we
can do 1t. When a man questions honesty
too much you had better watch him.
cloud applause) If there ever was time
to observe democratic rules it is such
critical times as these. We must go by
well settled rules. The rule made by this
committee in this particular case should
be the rule we follow. In our beat we
had three boxes and our delegates have
three sets of certificates. Shall we send
three sets delegates to the county conven-
tion from that beat to cause trouble?
Mr. Weakley talked like some one was
being indicted. He talked as II somebody
was going to do something wrong and he
had come in the breach to heal with his
precision. I do not know of an election
with forty beats where there has not been
contests. AS clerks of the democratic
party we propose to make up the roll of
prima facie delegates as the clerk of the
house of representatives does in organ
izing the house from the certificates in
his hands.
J. B. Aird-The men holding the man.
delegates. (Applause.)
Mr. Powell-Then Elyton beat will
have three sets of delegates. (Applause)
l ask you, If Mr.. Arid is right who is go
ing to make up the roll for the conven-
ton? l have no threats to make l do
not claim that have seat in the con-
vention whether or not. Until my party
gives me a certificate I claim no seat in
the convention. (Applause) If a man is
entitled to a seat in this convention the
county democracy will give 1t to him.
No man with good right need have any
fear. cloud applause)
s. D. Weakley-The Elyton returns,
three boxes, prove my position. He has
put too many witnesses on the stand. At
the bottom of the certificate find rule
that says the result must be made known
by comparison when there are not more
than one box. (Applause)
Mr.. Powell-Who makes the COMPARE
sons?
Mr.. Weakley-That is easily done, but
If there is no rule for the case where
there are three boxes there is certainly
none where there Is only one. Mr.. Pow
ell wants "other testimony" taken in
the case of probable contests. He wants
arg uments made A 10-year-old child
can add up the figures.
DR.. Gillespie-What is democratic GUS
tom? (Applause.)
Mr. Weakley-There is no custom, You
this committee ever settled contests as
you propose?
DIR. Gillespie--The state committee
settles contests. (Applause)
Mr. Weakley-That Is not the question.
1 ask about the county.
DR.. Gillespie-No; we never have. Cap
plause)
Mr.. Weakley-You must stand on
right. If you usurp the authority you
will sustain the modification of rebuke.
If there are certificates in the boxes, give
them to the gentlemen. (Applause) If
comparisons are needed take machine
and do it. or do it here. There's no
trouble about adding up few figures
We laid down our primary plan. Let us
stick to it. 1 say this as a friend of
Captain Johnston. Applause.)
w. c. Garrett-It is time in the state
of Alabama to maintain democratic prin-
ciple. (Applause.) Mr.. Powells motion
contemplates that. 1t is to throw an ad-
ditional safeguard around the ballots.
(Applause) THE plan only contemplates
to decide on a prima facie delegation not
on the rights of the delegates. We are
determined to have the majority declar-
ed. Cloud applause.) We want the dem
ocratS to have their voice honestly de-
clared. Is 1t unfair for these trustees
to inspect everything that is necessary
to ascertain the will of the people and
avoid contentious that may arise by
threats which 1 have heard here today?
(Applause) Mr.. Weakley gave his own
cause away when he admitted our right
to open the boxes and take out the GER
tificates If we have a right to do that
we have right to declare results.
Mr.. Garrett then told of the Madison
box. where it is known that Captain
Johnston suffered a loss by the managers
throwing out ballots for Johnston dele
gates where the voters made a mistake
by voting at the wrong box. Continuing,
he said: ta
by the Powell plan we will remove a
thorn in the side. What objection can a
man have to that plan? Can he object
to this committee looking into the will of
the people to ascertain it. 1 appeal to
you to vote down Mr.. Weakley's substi-
tute.
|. w. McAdory-I at first though the
committee could not act on the prima ia
Gle delegates. But we. have here today
men whose certificate are locked In the
boxes. 1 think the boxes should be OPEN
ed and the comparison made.
Mr. Weakley here said that he would be-
for Mr.. McAdorys proposition.
y