The age-herald., 1898-04-24
CONVENTION AND
 SOME POLITICIANS
Ky NED BRACE.

 pressed the spreadeagle orator. The ap- parent unanimity of opinion and good na- ture of the delegates in the convention was remarkable. All the contests were fought on the outside. Some of them were bit- ter. There was some torn up ground, and hair and blood scattered about. Subma- rine mines were exploded and political hopes were wrecked. But it was all poll tics. All is fair in love, war and politics, however damnable the same might be in other avocations. Politics has become an avocation. It is a gambling business. Marked cards are used very often and sometimes a hand is dealt from the bottom of the pack. Every trick known to the gambler Is resorted to, and it is not always the best man who wins.
 
 I do think the best men won in Mont gomery this week. It was a happy result all along the line. But there was too much trading among delegates. However men will trade with each other and it is useless to enter a kick against it.
 
 Montgomery is delightful city. Several thousand of the best people in Alabama live there. But the delegates to the con- vention were made horribly uncomfortable. The hall of the house of representatives is not sufficiently large for convention of five hundred delegates and innumerable candidates and friends The delegates were packed in like sardines. Montgomery should have provided a better hall. Bir- mingham will probably do so next time
 Again, by what right, save that by prece- dent, has the democratic party to hold its conventions in the state capitol. The re- publicans or populist or any other class of citizens have the same right to make use of this building. What would the people Of this country say to a political conven- tion of either party being held in the hall of the house of representatives at Wash ington. l do not mean to argue against Montgomery as place for holding the con- vention, but I do mean that conventions should not be held in the state capitol. Montgomery has halls much better fitted for such gatherings
 A word about the convention proper. Jt was well conducted Its work was quickly transacted because it's presiding officers knew their business. John W. Tomlinson, as temporary chairman, delivered a ringing democratic speech, brief but complete. Then he presided in truly Reed-like style. Tomlinson looks like Reed, acts like Reed and has the nerve of the Maine man.
 Frank Pettus made model permanent chairman. I formed a great admiration for Pettus. I like his nerve and his straightforward, busness-like manner I like him, too, because he has views and he is not afraid to express them. I like him because he had the courage to declare in his brief speech that intelligence should and would always rule. He believes this to be white mans government and he pro- poses that the white man shall rule in all sections.
 Bob Lowe, the new chairman of the state democratic executive committee, is the right man in the right place. Lowe is the Arthur P. German of Alabama; and I thir k German the greatest living democrat don't think Lowe yet the equal of Gorman but he is destined to be- He has the deli cate, refined address of the Marylander, his courage and force, and his grace of man. ner. Lowe never uses cudgel. He wieIds
 
 grace of traind duelllst in ordinary times but when his rights or the rights of his party are assaied he can use the broad- sword with the force of a gladiator I am for Bob Lowe for the United States senate some of these days.
 Yes, the old politicians will have to look to their laurels. Tominson, Lowe and Pettus are the promising two-year-olds of the Alabama stables.
 I observed some yearlings at the con- vention who are liable to be good ones on the political turf. Ross Smith and Henry Gray know a few things. They show up well in political harness. I never saw two harder workers nor men more loyal to their friends. Ross Smith is now a rail- road commissioner and promises well in later gubernatorial race. If Henry Gray will quit banking and work for himself with the energy he displays for his friends, he can get anything he wants.
 As everybody knows the Jefferson dele gation got nearly everything it asked for, and it was not modest in asking by any means. But modesty cuts no figure in politics. The Jefferson delegation went to Montgomery for business. It backed the best men and it put them in. It did good convention a bowling success.