The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-28
JOHNSTON AFTER
MORGAN'S SEAT

The following dispatch, clipped from thu
Atlanta Constitution, is the first acknowI
edgement from the state house-for practi
,ally that is its source-which has appeared
In print:
Birmingham, Ala, April 26.-1t is adj
mitted here that Governor Joseph f.
Johnston has eyes cast for the United
States senate to succeed John T. Nor
gan and he is making one of the bold
est and most daring fights in political
affairs ever attempted in the south. His
action In the constitutional convention
matter, his calling in extraordinary ses-
sion the legislature for the purpose Of
repeating the law providing for the
constitution, which law had been taken
up by the party organization of the
democrats of Alabama and made
party measure. is giving him the repu-
tation of being the boldest politician
that ever held the high position in Ala
bama. There are many men who do
not hesitate in saying that Joe john
ston, as he is commonly known, will be
victorious, and Notwithstanding the
great mass meeting next week in Mont
gomery, at which democrats from all
parts of the state will be seen and
heard, he will win out and the law will
be repealed
AS stated now, it is matter of which
is the greater-Joe Johnston or his
party?
But Governor Johnston does not look
at the matter in that light. He says
that he is the governor of the people.
He says that he is not following tho
whims and whines of clique or party
of men, whose aims are more or less
selfish, but he is going advisedly.
against Governor Johnston all over the
state is becoming one the equal of
which has never been heard of. Gov
ernor Johnston is coming in for a great
amount of criticism. He is being ma
ligned by daily papers right and left,
There are no morning papers on his
side, but with all that he Is receiving
recognition in many quarters.
If Joe Johnston is victorious, and It
begins to look like he will be, he will be
the strongest politician in the state,
one of the greatest who ever lived in
the state His path to the United States
senate, at sacrifice of even old John T,
Morgan, seems to be clear
As this is all going on, there is a ques-
ton being asked, is John T. Morgan to
sit idly by and allow the matter to pass
unnoticed?
The next legislature mot the extra
SeSSloAJ Will erect u united states Senas
tor OF course it is understood that
Senator Morgan is a candidate for re.
election. Now, If Governor Johnston Is
victorious in his constitutional conven-
tion matter he will be one of the great
est politicians in the state and will
probably control the next legislature.
giving him cinch on the senatorship.
IL he loses, he loses nothing outside of
the chance to go to the senate If he
had not begun the fight or the move
ment he would have had no chance at
the senatorship until Senator Morgan
had passed away. So it presents itself
to man up tree as appearing that
the governor has everything to gain
and nothing to lose.
Who is in the better position?
Governor Johnston is confident that he
will win out in his fight for the repeal
or the law providing for the constitu-
tional convention. He feels that the
men who answered the circular letter
VIII vote as they answered. That he
has some other pledge is believed by
many.
But Senator Morgan is looked to in
Alabama and the announcement of his
intention of coming here and participatl
nhg IN the campaign, which Is now being
arranged by Chairman Robert Lowe of
the state executive committee, is excitz
ing great deal OF comment. 1t ia
stated that he will be here next. month
and the people of Alabama will receive
MS views on the constitutional conven-
ton plan. He is in favor of the move
ment, a party follower and opposed to
the repeal of the law.