The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-10-09
THE GOVERNORS ENEMIES
the Montgomery Journal.

| From the Montgomery Journal.
The open and covert attacks upon Gov
ernor Johnston have deeper meaning
than appears upon the surface.
The persistent and studied effort on the
part of Governor Johnston's enemies to
make it appear that the governor had at
tempted to interfere in the congressional
contests in the First and Fifth districts
are the incipient efforts of those engaged
in the opposition to arouse antagonism to
the governor with the hope of building up
formidable opposition by the time the
legislature convenes in November.
There are whisperings already of an anti
administrator fight when the general as
sembly convenes-of an effort to organize
the two houses against the administration
The Journal is unwilling to believe that
these whisperings come from any source
which the administration or it's friends are
called upon to seriously consider, or which
they should regard with grave concern. 1t
is not believed that any local democrat
any democrat having the welfare of the
state or the party at heart, would join in
such q hopeless or reckless antagonism to
an administration that has, done so much
to bring order out of chaos in financial af-
fairs of the state. The present administra-
ton has commanded the respect and con-
fidence of all the people, regardless of poll
tics and the policies of the party under
the able leadership of Governor Johnston
has been so wise and just as to once more
practically bring the white people together,
after years of strife and bitterness, strife
and bitterness very seldom witnessed in
state politics. Surely no good democrat,
surely no reputable party leaders, would,
even though emboldened by the attacks of
the Montgomery Advertiser and its little
coterie of malcontents which have been
repudiated by their party, join In such an
unholy movement.
Nevertheless, there is talk that this OPP
position has selected the speakership of
the house as it's rallying point and has CEN
tered upon Mr.. Waller as its candidate. 1t
may be that Mr.. Walters advocacy of
Judge Coleman's cause in the late contest
and his spasmodic contention against one
of the most important of the adminfstra-
tion measures of tax reform Is the only
foundation of the current gossip. 1t is not
easy to believe that a gentleman who has
been Governor Johnston's warm friend and
supporter in three campaigns for the gov
ernorship, Is now allied with this opposi
ton, when, too, cold political friendship
is added the duty of sustaining his party
administration. Still, Mr.. Walters position
in the matters above mentioned may lend
color to the preparation being made by the
governors enemies to center on his cam
didacy for speaker and not only herald it,
If successful, as anti-administration vic
tory, but claim it ground for making
demands on him in overturning the COVER
nor's policies.
We think Mr.. Waller should shake off
the burden of this growing impression.
There yet six weeks till the house as
sembies and we are quite sure that when
it does, the large majority of democrats
will be found, not only in favor of uphold
ing the governor in his past administra-
ton, but In strengthening his hands for
still further improvements and reforms