The age-herald., 1899-04-23
Asks Democrats To Unite On Convention Question. CAMPAIGN BEGINS MAY Z Will Open With Mass Meeting
 In Montgomery. J0HNSTON'S DEFEAT IS PREDICTED PopuIist Chairman Grove Says He Has
 Met Waterloo. THE COMMITTEES ACTION FELT Chairman Lowe Says Its Influence Vii Do Good All Over the State-Knox Says Democrats Cannot Op-
 pose Convention Gall.
 
PopuIist Chairman Grove Says He Has
 Met Waterloo.
THE COMMITTEES ACTION FELT

Following the action of the state execu- tive committee, Chairman Lowe yesterday issued an address to the democratic party of Alabama Many prominent leaders of the party were in the city yesterday in conference with MT. Lowe, and all pro- nounced the address an able, conservative document.
 The issuance of the address really marks the beginning of the campaign, although the formal opening will occur on May 2 in Montgomery, as exclusively announced in The Age-Herald yesterday morning.
 Several speeches may be made in the meantime, but the Montgomery event will be the formal opening. The intention on this occasion is to convince the leg stature and the enemies of the party that demo- crats are for the constitutional convention call and intend to carry it to victory in July.
 Will Be Directed From Birmingham
 The campaign will likely be directed from Birmingham, and Chairman Lowe will make public the names of the gentlemen to serve as a campaign committee in a few days.
 The action of the executive committee was the one theme for gossip and specu- latlon yesterday.
 Chairman Lowe said that he thought tlie committees action would have strong influence. In fact it's influence had already begun to be felt, and would grow more potent
 Secretary Nathan L. Miller said that the committees action was pointed declara- tion that the constitutional convention was artx tloA i& 4I,1 1,.Ax, of the democrats to support it.
 Speaking of the object of the mass meet ing to be held in Montgomery on May g. he said that, as he understood 1t, the in- tention was to bring as much pressure, political personal and individual, as possl- ble to bear upon the members of the legis- lature to make them support the constitu- tional convention bill.
 Hon. John B. Knox, of Anniston. who was in the city yesterday, was very much pleased with the action of the state execu- tive committee. He said:
 "In my judgment, the party has
 progressed too far in this matter to re-
 treat A democratic caucus of the 1 members of the legislature has en- dorsed this bill and made 1t a party ] measure. A democratic governor has : approved it. A democratic convention has placed it's nominees before the peo-
 pie and promulgated It's platform and 1 no one put an enemy Of the party can
 now raise his voice in opposition. Who-
 ever opposes the success of the party on this issue is much a bolter of the party organization as those who op-
 posed the reelection of Governor Jones
 or the election of Mir. Bryan"
 Governor Johnston Dissected
 Men of prominence in all shades of poll tics believe that the governors first de- feat in the committee room only presages another defeat in the legislature when the matter of repeating the call comes up.
 It is now said to be doubtful whether the popusts will be as bitterly opposed to the convention first supposed
 When asked for an opinion on the gov ernor's action, Chairman Grove of the pop ulist executive committee, said:
 Governor Johnston, in my opinion has met a Waterloo"
 The state convention of the populist par ty will convene in Birmingham on May 8. Some action will then be taken on the con- stitutional convention question.
 The part of the governors statement to the people of Alabama in which he inti- mates that gold-bugs have been nominated for constitutional convention delegates Is the basis for considerable gossip in regard to some of his recent appointments. It is alleged that the governor has appointed two gold-bugs to office in the past two months, one of whom resides here in Birmingham.