The times., 1899-05-22
ALABAMA's REFORM DELAYED.
Former Governor oates Regrets n
Political Error in His State.

uous figure in the affairs OF his State. A
man Of sturdy intelligence and indomita
BILE courage, he has been a leader in both
civil and military life. He lost his right
arm, was wounded five other times, and
distinguished himself as a regimental COM
mander in every great battle fought by the
army of Northern Virginia in which he
participated, being absent from none ex-
cept on account of the severe wound at
Darbytown Road, which cost him his arm.
After the war he became at once fac
tor in the political affairs of his State.
lawyer by profession, he served a num-
Der of years in the State Legislature; was
member of the Constitutional Convention
of 1875. when he was the chairman of its
judiciary committee, and in 1880 was elect
ed to Congress, and served continuously
until 1894. when he was elected Governor
of the State. He defeated Joseph F. john
ston, the present Governor, in a spirited
contest for the Democratic nomination for
that office.
When the war with Spain came on, Cen
eral Oates came to Washington to urge
the merits of former comrades-inar for
position in the volunteer service. AS soon
as he presented himself to President Nc
Kinley, the Commander-in-C Chief proffered
him brigadier generalshlp of volunteers.
The appointment was accepted and Cen
eral Oates. battle-scarred Confederate
colonel. had the novel experience of COM
manding brigade composed OF New Eng
land and Pennsylvania troops. But 1t was
not their fortune to get into action. With
no prospect of fighting service, General
Oates resigned in February last and re-
turned to Alabama. He found the people
Of that State agitated for and against
constitutional convention. General Oates
at once cast himself into the contention
earnestly advocating a convention, poll
cy which he had urged when Governor.
Speaking yesterday of the peculiar and
unprecedented condition of political affairs
in Alabama, Governor Oates said:
when Governor l recommended con-
stitutional convention, the main purpose
of which would be to eliminate from the
voting population all grossly ignorant and
irresponsible elements. This, of course,
would affect and cut off the majority OF
the negro vote and would deprive some
white men of suffrage. Governor john
ston, at his first term, advocated consti-
tutional convention. The House passed,
but the Senate defeated bill to that end.
The Democrats of the two houses of the
present Legislature in caucus agreed to
pass a convention act. which Governor
sohnston approved when the bill did pass.
The Democratic State executive committee
gave hearty and overwhelming endorse
ment to the measure, and called a State
convention CT the party to elect thirty
three delegates at large, equal to the same
number of senatorial districts, the con-
stitutional convention act having provided
that the counties should elect also the
same number OF delegates to the conven-
tion as they were entitled to members of
/, 1t,
1873 delegates. The State convention
met on the goth OF March and declared the
Democratic party Of Alabama favored the
constitutional convention and nominated
the thirty-three delegates to 1t, all being
men of decided character and ability, and
among them the ablest and most expert
enced men in the State without regard to
their differences in 1896 on the financial
question. Some were for free coinage and
some were gold standard men.
Soon afterward Governor Johnston
promulgated circular letter of enquiry
to members Of the Legislature to know If
they would favor an extra session to repeal
the convention act. He set forth that eX-
pense might be saved to the State and
the Legislature might prepare and submit
needed amendments to be voted on at
the next general election. 1. for one. ad-
vised him against calling an extra session,
to the people on vote for or against
convention. Johnston said 1t would be
beaten by 100000 votes. l did not think
SO. Johnston. contrary to the advice of
friends and party leaders. persisted in his
attitude and called the extra session. which
was ended a few days ago The Legis-
lature did nothing but repeal the conven-
tion act, which was done by his adherents
with the aid of nineteen Populists In the
nnH in, ba
list only voting against the repeal. The
Governor had sent message advis-
ing the enactment of primary election
law and amendments to the constitution,
but the Legislature adjourned without do
ing anything more. except to provide for
their mileage and the expense of the ex-
ira session, which really cost the State
about half as much as a constitutional
convention would. the pay for its dele
gates being the same as that of members
of the Legislature.
This action of Governor Johnston and
his influence places the Democrats of Ala
bama in most unenviable position In
short. 1t is one of advocating and cham
pioning a measure as absolutely essential
to the future welfare and happiness of the
people and then abandoning the issue they
themselves made vital. quitting the field
of commendable effort for better govern
stood, can cause only surprise and regret.
II would have been infinitely better if the
convention question had been submitted to
the people as the recalcitrant Legislature
had provided. even il it had been defeated
at the July election"
General Oates spoke with earnestness
and great animation. He gave the names
of leading men of the State, including Sem
ators Morgan and Pettus. who had de-
nounced the course OF Governor Johnston
men who had once cordially supported his
aspirations, but were now unreservediy
opposing his policy.
lone of the needed reforms we had
sought to engraft in the proposed new
constitution" said General Oates, was in
the matter and method OF State legislation
At last winters session l ascertained from
the Secretary OF State that of the acts
passed by the present Legislature only
forty nine were of a general nature while
900 were purely local, and these local acts
cost the State, first and last from S25
to 5000 each in preparation, printing, etc.
The constitution should restrict local leg
isIation within the bounds of reasonable
could be saved in one Legislature to pay
the expenses of constitutional conven-
ton
Another change sought was to make the
term of office for the Governor and other
State officials chosen with him four years,
instead of two and make them ineligible
to succeed themselves. Obviously the pur-
pose of this is to save the peoples business
from distraction by too frequent elections
and tend TO prevent improper use of
patronage. Certainly we want a white
mans government in Alabama, but we
want it so guarded by its fundamental
laws at least that ballot boX stuffing or