The age-herald., 1899-10-11

lutlons offered by MT. Jones, or laudefdales in 1898. were read.
 Mir. Lomax of Montgomery
 Mir. Lomax made a clear. logical speech to the committee, which had a telling e. feet. He argued with coolness and great force for such action by the committee as would be to the best interests of the entire party. The whole question being discussed. he said, was merely one of dates. If this matter was left ito the county committees, there would be no discussion. There could be no contradiction of the authority of the committee to name date. But this is not the serious matter to be considered, d1e con- tinued.
 This whole matter should resolve itself into the matter of whether or not our ac- ton is for the good of the entire demo- cratic party, and not in the interest of some person or persons who are seeking an office. If all the counties hold their primaries or beat meetings on the same date then no friction can arise over the question of nominating candidates for the legislature. I stand here, gentlemen, to plead for party unity and the best inter- ests of the people. am not partisan. l am here in the interest of no man for United States senator I am here in the interest of no clique, but I plead for the welfare of the party to which 1 have al- ways professed allegiance"
 The earnestness of Mir. Lomax's remarks
 
 Continuing he said that no one could question tho authority of the committee to fix dates. It had been done before, and the power of the committee had not been changed. To leave. the question of dates for the selection of candidates for the gen. eral assembly without some fixed date would probably mean snap judgment by many counties to select a candidate for the senate. He strongly opposed snap con- ventions. To fix an uNiform date was not against the interests of any candidate and no man can reasonably object. "The best interests of the entire party are to be con- sldered.' said Mir. Lomax, and whether it shall make or down me, stand here to. vote for the best interests of the democracy of Alabama"
 MT. Jones. of Lauderdale. again explain ed that it was only the date which he op- posed, and he was positive that the people would not endorse the action of the com mttee were the majority report adopted.
 Mir. Hefin said he regretted the state ment that had been made that the party would bolt any action which the commit tee might take. He did not believe that 1t would. He thought that upon mature re- fection that the gentleman from Lauder dale would regret the remarks he had made He did not believe any county ex- cept Lauderdale would refuse to stand by ther action of the committee. "1 came here" said MT. Hefin. with my mind about made up to vote with the minority on this question. but since listening to the eloquent. logical speech of the gentleman from Montgomery (Mr. Lomax) I will vote with the majority, and I believe the people of the several counties will thank us for fixing the dates on which to nominate can- ddates."
 He thought the committee had the right to fix the dases. He did not advocate the cause of any man for the United States senate and he would not until the people of han bnrc had opain nOmilla ted him to serve thrr in either the lower or upper house of the next general assembly.
 thairmae Az ,in on the Floor
 MT Lowe again relinquiahed the chair and spoke for the majority report He cited several precedents showing the pc~er of the committee to act on the question. All power lodges somewhere. and the supreme power lodges in the head.
 MT. Robinett said the committee had full power in this matter, but should exercise it fer the best interests of the party
 MT. Lyons urged that the proposed ac- ton of the committee in fixing one date for all the counties to nominate legislative can didates was unusual.
 MT Hampton held that 1t was the com mittees duty to act for the welfare of the party One date for all the counties would | be best. Let prudence be observed. North Alabama had suffered from the old way of doing things
 | MT. HettuS closed the ueDdte WILL d coiH- prehensive argument to the power of the committee, and cited precedents, as well as instances where mischief had been done by not having uniformity of action in the counties. Was this proposed action expedient? Did they desire a fair deal all around? Under the resolutions offered no county chairman could take action favora- ble to any one person. It provided that from this day until April 14, 1900 every democrat would be on notice that he was expected to act on that specified date. Therefore it was just and fair to every man. There was no hole-and-corner Dusl- ness about that. It gives time to all sen atorial candidates. In Madison county there was central committee of five members, three of whom could deal with the rights of 5000 democrats of that county. Let the committee not prostitute its powers to pur- poses no for tie general good of all the party Let us stand up before God and | act for the good of all the people of Ala | bama irrespective of the claims of any one | man. Let us be fair. Let us keep an eye | single to their welfare"
 The Vote
 The question was on the motion to sub | stitute the minority for the majority re- | port, and MT. Pettus moved to lay that mo- | tion on the table. Upon that motion MT. | Jones, of Lauderdale, demanded the call | of the roll.
 The motion to lay on the table prevailed; ; | ayes, 16: nays, 13.
 Ayes-R. J. Lowe 1T. s. D. Mallory, Ten nent Lomax, F. l.. Pettus, c. s. Mcdowell. Jr., Hugh D. Merrill, Tipton Mullins John Knox, J. Thomas Hefin, Daniel A. Collier, Bernard Harwood w. I. Bullock, John M Hampton, Brooks Smith, A. c. Davidson, Robert T. Robinett.
 Nays-George P. Jones, A. s. Lyons, Will liam D. Dunn, Lawrence w. Locklin, Charles R. Bricken, John N. Stanford, J. Lee Long, F. M. Moseley, w. w. Brandon,