The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-18
Why Coy. Johnston FIopped.

Governor Johnstons advocacy of con-
stitutional convention up to very recent
date was frank, outspoken and unqualified,
even warm and eloquent. Read what he
said in pursuance of constitutional require
ment. in his first annual message:
.'The duty is upon you to consider the
necessity for new constitution for our
state.
That the present constitution has
served its purpose and now embarrasses
rather than promotes the objects 1t
should subserve is manifest to all think
ing men.
1t is essential that some of the iron
bands that have prevented our growth
and development should be struck off.
The fear of improper restriction OF
the right of suffrage should not be al
lowed longer to stand in the way OF
relief demanded more strongly each
year.
The necessity for local taxation in aid
of our public schools, and the extern
sion of the system, reforms in our Ju-
dicial system, and the preservation of
municipal growth and credit the en-
couragenfent of immigration and manu-
features, and the necessity for securing
more equal laws in distributing the
burdens of government, all demand
Various attempts to secure amend
ment to our organic law have demon
strated that the very requirements of
the constitution prevent any amend
ment.
/ respectfully urge the general assem-
bly, to meet this issue now, honestly and
fairly, and with a courage which comes
only to those who have unbounded con-
fidence in the patriotism and inteli-
sence of the free men of Alabama.
in conclusion. permit me to assure
you of my cordial cooperation.
His cordial cooperation lasted up to the
passage of the convention bill, which he,
to all appearances, cheerfully made law by
his own signature, when he could have
prevented the holding CT a convention by
merely staying his right hand. He made the
would not have been overridden
Why has he suddenly faced about? Why
has he eaten his own words constitutonally
expressed? Why, in short, has he
Topped?
In a circular letter that was neither off,
cial, for 1t related to the welfare of the
it was signed Jos. L. Johnston, Governor"
IA hybrid in fact-it was rather more than
suggested that the legislature should be
convened for the purpose of repeating the
convention bill that Governor Johnston had
long advocated and had himself finally
made law. The remarkable circular in
which he made this more than remarkable
proposition has thrown the democratic
party into a condition of anxiety and I'M
rest. Harmony has disappeared, and the
troubles and divisions of 1892 are feared,
and are at least threatened.
Now, why did Governor Johnston treat
the party that had repeatedly honored
him. and that had endorsed in every con-
celvable manner the convention PROPOSE
ton, making it in fact a party issue-why
did he treat the democratic party in such
cavalier fashion? Why did he set himself
up as wiser and greater than the party
itself?
No one knows exacly why he did it, but
all seem to have an opinion upon the sub
ject. ITO our mind says the Athens
Democrat, this is but an effort on the
part Of the governor to mako great deal
Of political capital for himself. Few men
would be willing TO circumvent the action
of their own party in such a manner"
The Clayton Record considers it "a political
play OF one man." and the Huntsville Mer-
bic to say of Governor Johnston In connec-
ton with his effort to override the action of
the democratic legislature, the democratic
primaries the democratic convention and
the democratic committee is that he has
utterly forgotten party and people in his
mad desire for place and power"
Beyond reasonable doubt Governor John
ston, whatever his ultimate plans may be.
has determined 10 cali the legislature to-
gerher. Private Secretary Cory claims to
have received replies from about two-thirds
of the members of the two houses-say.
81 all told From this number deduct 26
REPLIES doubtless received from populists
and republicans, and it will be seen that
80 democrats have been beard from. About
forty democrats have not been heard from.
These replies in the executive Office are Of