The age-herald., 1898-12-07
AGREED ID
 FATHER BILL Advocates of New Constitution
 See Victory Ahead, ALL DEMOCRATS CONVINCED That Changes in the Present h. strument Should be Made. THE MODE OF SECURING THEM Has Been the Bone of Contention
 Among the Legislators. SOME FAVOR AMENDMENT PLAN
Has Been the Bone of Contention
 Among the Legislators.
SOME FAVOR AMENDMENT PLAN
Committee Named by Caucus Meet and Decide to Prepare a Measure Call ing Constitutional Convention
 Another Meeting Today.

Montgomery, December 6.-(Speclal)-In committee authorized by the constitutional convention caucus had meeting tonight and agreed to father a bill calling con stitutiona convention. The essential fea- lures of the bill were not entirely decided upon, but will be adjusted at another early meeting of the committee.
 The two committees, five each from the house, and senate are as follows: Senators Jelks, chairman; Meador, Matthews, Thompson and Caffee. Household, chair man; Robinson, Kyle, Brown and Tunstall. The real purpose and foundation of constitutional convention is scarcely op- posed by any member of the general sembly. It is the method to obtain the re- suit that has caused the differences.
 All agree that there must be some mate- rial changes in the constitution. The split comes as to whether these changes should be made by voting amendments to the con stitution, or having convention to thor oughly reconstruct it.
 The friends of the convention plan claim that they have victory assured. They ad- init, however, that the contest will be close. Not more than majority of seven eight votes can be depended on in the house, and they are not prepared to give out figures on the senate. 1t is generally known that the fight will be warm in the higher body.
 A Body Blow
 These advocates claim that the governor hit the constitutional convention a body blow in the beginning. That there would have been no material opposition to the bill had not it been for his utterances. There would have been, they contend, few rep resentatives who would have voted against a constitutional convention as mere mat ter of formality, because they have pledged themselves.
 It is understood that the governor Is not particularly welded to any plan, and it Is said by his intimate friends that he recog- nizes that there must be some changes. put as to the method of securing them he con- siders it a party fight and is willing to leave it to the discretion of majority of the representatives.
 It is hardly probable that any definite ac- tion will be taken on this bill before the leg islature adjourns for the holidays Some of the leaders have been urging that the representatives go home without acting on the question, so that they can consult their constituents and return after the holidays better posted on their wishes.
 New Suffrage Plank
 It is said that the chief executive is firm in his posit on for a new suffrage plank in the constitution. The general idea is that one similar to that of Mississippi should be adopted. Such a suffrage law would pro- vide that no man who cannot read and write and is unable to explain a certain clause of the constitution should be denied the right of ballot. The following excep- tions would be made: Veterans of all wars and their descendants, and any man own ing as much and not less than $250 worth of property would not come under the re- strictions.
 It is argued by the faction against a con- stitutional convention at present, from an economic standpoint, tht no hurt will come by allowing the matter to wait. It is point ca out that no troublesome race problems now confront the people, that the negroes are taking little interest in politics and are staying away from the polls. This is thrown out as an argument that if thought advisable suffrage amendment to the con- stitution could be added by vote.
 On the other hand it is claimed that the state needs a new constitution and will never be in better shape to adopt the means of securing it. It is claimed that the prac- tice of adopting amendments to the consti- tuition by vote would bring about compli- cations.
 BOwie's Apt Illustration
 In a caucus several nights ago, while arguing against this course, Hon. Sid Bowie of Talladega told an apt story illustrating his point.
 'I once knew an old countryman," said he who had neighbor living next door to him. The neighbor had very fine dog. One morning the old countryman was awakened by the whining and bowling of his neighbours dog. Pretty soon the noise ceased and he went to sleep only to be dis turbed again by the whining and bowling which continued at intervals throughout the day. Finally, late in the afternoon, he went over to his neighbor's house and in- quired what was the matter.
 My. dog is sick replied the neighbor
 "'Well why don't you get doctor,' was the countrymans retort.
 "T did, and he told me If I would cut the dogs tail off it would cure him.
 ".We, it didn't seem to do any good The dog has been bowling all day.
 "sOh, thought so much of the poor fcl- low and hated to see him suffer so bad that cut his tail off, piece at time, so il wouldn't hurt him.
 Some of the populists have been holding out against constitutional convention, but