The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-12
lit is A GAME OF
PER SONAL POLITICS
TO the Editor of The Age-uerald:

nave read Governor Johnstons circular
letter stating that he has been urged by a
number of democrats to convene the gen
eral assembly in special session to consider
the repeal of the law calling a constitu-
tional convention, and whether any amend
ment to the constitution should be SUBJ
mitted to the people for their ratification.
The governor states the argument used
by those democrats urging said call upon
him, is, there is a serious division in our
party on the question: that many loyal
democrats are opposed to such convention,
and will not vote for it; that the democrats
in the last Legislature and the recent demo-
cratic state convention were almost evenly
divided on the question, and THAI if it
should fail it would seriously damage our
party and tend to build up a formidable
opposition.
If current statements as to the governor
being opposed to the constitutional conven-
ton and the resolution of the recent demo-
cratic convention, that declares it is the
sense of the2 democrats in convention as
sembed that a constitutional convention
be held, has met the governors eondemna-
ton be true, then it is not difficult task,
under such circumstances, to point out the
origin and motive of this circular letter,
and it is but a reasonable conclusion from
them, the whole opposition is but sensi-
tiveness because the democrats In conYen-
ton assembled could not be subjusated
to the will of any man or minority of men,
and the whole scheme hoped to be accom-
plshed by the circular letter is but a game
OF personal politics, and, IL not to crafty
personal political ambition, then to secure
the adoption of individual opinions, that
have been discarded by the democratic
party in convention assembled.
Would the democrats of the general as
semby alone vote on the question OF re-
pealing the act calling constitutional con-
vention, or of submitting an amendment to
Al.nf- fftoRf q
members of the general assembly who were
elected in opposition to democrats sit in
silence and take no part in this proposed
legislation? Undoubtedly, NO.
A majority of the democratic members of ,
the legislature are opposed to repeating
this act, as indicated by the vote on the
passage of the law, and are in favor of a
constitutional convention 1t is hoped by
this proposed special session of the legfs-
lature that a combination of a minority of
democrats with those who are not demo-
Gratis would be a majority of the legisla-
ture, and thus this combination would de-
feat a majority of the democrats in the
legislature, and the recent declared will of
the democratic party in convention as
sembled.
If this latter purpose is not the true in
tent of the circular, what else can it be, or
what other hope inspired the letter?
Why did not Governor Johnston veto the
act calling the constitutional convention?
Why did he approve it?
What great upheaval has taken place in
public opinion within the last three moons
that forces the governor to condemn his
own approval of that act?
The governor had declared in his message
that he was opposed to a constitutional
convention. Yet the legislature, majority
of democrats voting in favor of it, passed
a law calling such convention, and the |
governor approved it before the recess of |
the legislature. The question of calling a
constitutional convention and the enact |
ment of this law was as ably and thorough |
ly discussed through the press and by the |
people as any public question ever was |
The legislature recessed the members re- |
turned to their homes, mingled and con- |
ferred with their constituents, the question /
still being discussed, and the legislature re- |
and not move made by governor |
or general assembly to repeal the law. This |
is not all; the question comes again before |
the democrats in their beat meetings or pri- |
maries in their county primaries or con- |
ventions, and not one expression is heard |
requiring repeal of the law, and each |
county sends intelligent, patriotic, repre- |
and loyal democrats to full con- |
vention of the party and that convention !
declares for constitutional convention
Was not that convention as fair and in
telligent, as untrammeled and loyal express
sion of democratic sentiment as would be
the legislature in special session assembled
on this question? Who dare say 1t was
not? challenge Governor Johnston to
answer this question. l call upon him as =
loyal democrat to answer it.
There was a fair and complete refer
endum to democrats of calling a c5lsti.u-
tional convention, and they have respond
ed in no dubious or uncertain language.
Is it the desire of Governor Johnston to
ignore that response and re-comm.t tae
question back to the legislature, COMPOSED
of "a large number of members oppcse to
the democratic party and let democratic
policies and democratic duty be prose-. ipci
by any others but democrats?
A recommittal to the Legislature Is but
such disloyal act to the democratic party, :,
On the motion to suspend the rules Snd |
consider the Tanner resolution declaring ii
the sense of the convention that a constitu-
tional convention be held, the vote was 1872
for suspension and 166 against A majority /
of two to one in favor of a constitutional
Every delegate opposed to constitut on
the rules This was the test vote, and cx- |
pressed democratic sentiment. On the |
adoption of the platform, which took place |
before the Tanner resolution was intro |
duced and before the vote on suspension |
of the rules, the majority was not so |
great
1t has ever been the boast of democrats |
that a majority shall rule. Is it the pur-
pose of this circular letter TO ignore this
rule?
greater calamity would result to the
democratic party to pursue the course sug-
gested by the circular letter. than TO pro-