The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-10

troll of the state government and change
this condition. l Joined my political assoc
ciates in making three state campaigns to
try and control the egsla l went fur
Their and encouraged and aided contests be-
fore congress from the state in the hope
of this having beneficial effect of breaking
down the power of those in control in Ala
bama and to AID in the election to power OF
those who would solve the election prob
lems
1.-The democratic party in the black belt
was unwilling to permit or to risk a sou-
ton of this question at the hands of the
Kolb movement. Democrats throughout The
state feared the success of the opposition
would mean negro domination in portions
of the state.
In the contest against the party in
power l went far in the lead as any
populst could suggest could have me to
do. l gave my faithful effort to every plan
that offered any hope for solution to the
problem confronting us and L declined to
support Bryan and Watson or Bryan and
Sewall out of the fact that l thought the
election OF Bryan would destroy all popu-
list hope of bringing about election reform.
! supported the fusion candidates in the
south for congress and appealed that bring
ing about betterment of our local condi-
tions was paramount to the election of any
is constantly published, vote for the repub-
lican presidential ticket
To be brief L do not believe that there
is any hope for the good government in
Alabama that ought to be except demo-
Gratis, populsts and all patriotic citizens
meet this issue in a patriotic way and rise
above party in a broad and well purposed
constitutional convention.
Our democratic friends in the black belt,
with their strong allies over the state, re-
USED to trust their future to partisans OF
an opposing party and the populists of Ala
bama have feared and mistrusted the par
tsans of the democratic party. Let not
the solution of these political questions be
had by party legislation, but let Alabam-
ians meet in a constitutional convention as
representa- of Alabama. 1t Is unsatis-
factory to members of all parties that con-
ditions what they are. 1 do not con-
slider it in any other light than that men
will naturally pursue methods in politics
that may not be preferable to them simply
because they conscientiously think it the
best way out of the difficulty. 1t is the
duty of the people of the state TO rise up
and remove the causes and conditions lead
ing up to the present situation Leave no
excuse and eradicate whatsoever cause for
election manipulation and then enforce tho
law. This will be better than that through
which the state has passed and ii speaking
for a righteous charge be treason then, let
them make the most of 1t.
II do not witsh to be understood as adj
vocating a constitutional convention l
take it that the people of Alabama are cap
able to select delegates to such a conven-
ton would see to 1t that their interests
are conserved.
MY populist friends of the white coun-
ties can their strength in a conserva-
tive way and lead to the result that good
men will represent us from throughout the
state. There are in my county many good
democrats whom l could trust in a constr
tutional convention and who would not
stoop to the depths of partisanism in such
a body. The people of this state are fully
competent to hold constitutional conven-
ton composed of representative and con-
servative man.
1.-THE issue is going to be met, a conven-
tion Is going to be held sooner or but little
later, and favor settling the issue now
81 C. MANNING"
Montgomery, December 9.