The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-29
Great Preparations for Opening of the
Campaignin Montgomery-Ban khead
and Underwood Talk -Johnston's
Campaign Bears Little Fruit

OplhlOAi, anu WOulu tell ItO COil-
mlttee practically the same thing
Senator Morgan first opened this question
in his telegram read before the executive
committee in Montgomery some days ago.
The telegram was as follows:
The democrats can only march straight to
the front. To recede OF hesitate invites dis
aster to the white voters. Democrats have
never been divided on the main question and
cannot afford TO De divided ON the side issues
AS TO the form of proceedings the legislature
has exhausted its power in taking the first
stepin revising the constitution. and the peo-
pie have the right to act. The first step is as
irreyokable as any that are to follow.
JOHN t. MORGAN
They VIII All Be There
Most every prominent democrat in the
state will be present on next Tuesday at
the meeting to open the campaign. me
meeting Tuesday evening will be rousing
one. Senator Morgan will be there. Sena-
tor Pettus will be there. Representative
C4oerwood will be there Representative
Clayton will be there and scores and hun
dreos of other democrats of prominence in
the party.
There is no longer any doubt but that
the governor will be disappointed in AS
efforts to repeal the constitutional conven-
ton act. Many members of both houses
who were with him week ago are against
him now. The tide has completely turned.
A number of prominent democrats were in
the city yesterday, and without an excep-
ton they were of one opinion.
A Tempest in Tea Pot
''The entire contest looks to me like a
tempest in a teapot" said Representative
Bankhead yesterday. 1.-THE matter of
holding a constitutional convention has
been submitted to the people by the leg
islature. 1t is for the people to say,
whether they want a constitutional con-
vention or not 1 have confidence in the
people, and L believe the members of the
legislature have confidence in the people.
l believe the effort to repeal the constitu-
tional convention will be defeated, as 1t
should be defeated. The people have a
right to speak for themselves, and after
the proposed constitutional convention is
held the people again have a right to
speak for themselves, whether or not they
will accept it. 1t is rare thing that the
people are wrong, and do not believe that
the legislature will assume to deprive them
of their rights to speak on this question.
~ shall be in Montgomery next Tues
day, and at the meeting to be held there
will express my candid views. do not be-
lieve that majority of the members Of
the legislature, after the session convenes,
will seriously consider repeating the act"
I'm the contest in the legislature" said
Representative Underwood, who arrived
from New Orleans last evening, II believe
the people will win The legislature will
not repeal the act calling a constitutional
convention. 1 have always held that the
people have a right to speak for them
selves. The legislature, by it's act in sub
uniting the calling of a constitutional
convention, has given the people that
right. The legislature has more than
adopted the initiative and referendum
which thousands of voters in this state
have demanded. The matter of calling a
constitutional convention has been SUBJ
mitted to the people, and, under the SUD-
mission, a majority of the voters must
declare for the constitutional convention
or else it cannot be held. After it is held,
it must be resubmitted to the people, and
If they are not satisfied with the works of
their chosen representatives they can de-
cline to accept it.. l cannot understand
how any one who has confidence in the
character and intelligence of the voters N
this state can wish to prevent them from
having a right to act either affirmatively
or negatively on great question, such as
the calling of a constitutional convention,
especially when 1t is demanded by great
number of our citizens. For the legislature
now to refuse the citizens of the state this
right seems to me, would show a lack or
confidence In the voters themselves"
MANY members of the legislature are in
Montgomery, Several of them passed
through here yesterday Chairman Love-
of the executive committee, Is already on
the grounds.
Representative Wallace, of Madison, ar
rived In the city yesterday and will leave
for Montgomery this morning.
eff the legislature sustains its action
Madison county will vote for a constitu-
tional convention" said Representative
Wallace. 'T believe that a majority of the
democrats want new constitution and
will heed the partys CALL"
Speaking of the action of the Young
Mems Democratic club, Mr.. Wallace said
that the meeting was gotten up by rev
Johnston supporters who had never afi1l-
| fated with the club until that time. The
majority of the members of the club knew
nothing at all about the meeting. The
| Johnston people carried their crowd and
passed the resolutions.
Campaign Bearing Fruit
Governor Johnstons campaign for en-
| dorsements is bearing some fruit AS
| printed in The Age-Herald several days
ago he has written to his supporters IN
| every county asking for an endorsement by
| committee or mass meeting.
Two meetings were quietly held In Jeffer-
| son last night, one at Bessemer and one at
| Pratt City.
! At Bessemer the following resolutions
| were passed at a meeting, of which L. j.
| Cornwell was chairman:
Whereas, We, as democrats of the city
| of Bessemer, Ala, BELIEVING that the ma
| jority of the democrats of the county are
| opposed to the holding of constitutional
convention as provided by the legislature
| and the action of the democratic state ex-
| ecutive committee In making the same a
| party measure; therefore be 1t
! Resolved First-That We endorse the ac-
| ton of Governor Johnston In calling q