The age-herald., 1899-04-11

favorable to the calling of the special ses- sion. The democratic majority for the con- stitutional convention in the house was more than two to one. Some of the mem- bers have since offered as candidates for delegates to the convention and most of them were defeated, However, this fact would probably have no effect upon the former sentiment of such members. Then 1t is a further fact that the recent state convention declared in favor of holding a convention by exactly two-thirds ma jority vote.
 interviewed a number of the leading cit izens of Montgomery this afternoon. They were to a man opposed to the idea.
 PIowman Opposed to 1t
 Colonel Thomas s. Plowman, former con- gressman from the Fourth district said:
 "I would not have believed that Governor Johnston would have attempted to set at naught the wishes of the democratic party in Alabama and the white people of the state, had you not have shown me the let ter. The demands of the state demand the holding of constitutional convention. The party has spoken and nothing has oc cured to necessitate the call The people of Talladega county favor the holding of constitutional convention almost to a man."
 Probate Judge Milo Abercrombie. of Ma con county, when asked for his views, sad:
 '"The idea astonishes me. As for Macon county, the people are against the holding of an extra session, but they are for con- stitutional convention by as big majority as there are votes in the county. Since the adoption of the platform by the state con- vention, there is no man in my county opposed to the convention"
 Hon. George A. Sorrell. a leading attor- ney from Tallapoosa county, when asked for his views on the question made this suggestive reply:
 'It looks to me like too much sugar for a dime.'
 As to the general sentiment of Montgom- erlans the short, but emphatic reply of Judge A. D. Sayre, of the county court is quoted. Judge Sayre is former president of the senate of Alabama. and a represen- tative democrat He said: q am against the proposition to call an extra session of the general assembly, for the purpose sug- gested in the governor letter. I favor the holding of a constitutional convention. The platform adopted by the state con vention has removed every possible objec- tion to the holding of a convention"
 I have endeavored to get interviews from all of the state officials on the question, but only few of them could be seen this afternoon.
 As stated In a special dispatch elsewhere, the governor refuses to give his position on the proposition.
 Auditor White said
 From a party standpoint, I don't think the suggestion a wise one"
 Supreme Court Reporter Phares Coleman said;
 "As a democrat, think 1t is the duty of all loyal democrats to abide the voice Of the party. A democratic general assem- bly, passed the act providing for the hold ing of a constitutional convention. state convention of democrats made the holding of constitutional convention a party is- sue. The state executive committee, in meeting with the candidates for the con- stitutional convention, approved and rati- fled the action of the convention. It, there fore, seems to me it is has become the irre- vocabe law of our party; especially in view of the fact that the republicans have already declared against the convention, and the populsts will probably do so. For these reasons, think the calling of a spe- eial session of the general assembly would be very unfortunate and would put the sta te to needless eXpense.'
 Secretary of State McDavid and Superin- tendent of Education Abercrombie were each seen, but neither would express an opinion.