The age-herald., 1899-03-29
Executive Committe Refuses POp-
 u|ists Recognition THE GASTON PLAN DEFEATED Effort to Keep Party from Mak-
 ing Call Straight Issue BY ENEMIES OF CONVENTION State Convention Will Deal With Sui.
 frage and Tax t,'On.  $'TS TO BE suBmy $>s TO PEOPLE
 <s5- Said This C S5Jnly Way to Guaran tee a. .y in July-DensOn of JeffefASn Will Be Tempo
 rary Chairman.
State Convention Will Deal With Suf-
 frage and Tax A'ion.

Montgomery, March 2s-(special)-The Gaston plan providing for seven populists from the state-at-large in the constitu- tional convention was declined by the ex- ecutve committee tonight. None but dem- ocrats will be recognized, and no delegates will be chosen but those recommended by the respective senatorial districts. Each district delegation must select its own dele gates and the convention will ratify the selection.
 The convention will declare for the sub mission of the new constitution to the people. It will declare against an increase of the tax rate. It will declare against any attempt at the removal of the capital from Montgomery and it will declare for a purfcation of the ballot.
 It will make the calling of constitution al convention a party issue. Over this oc- cured the big fight in the executive ses- sion of the executive committee meeting tonight. A resolution filled to overfiowing 1 with ''whereases' and declaring against | making the constitutional convention party issue was prepared today and pre- scented to the executive committee tonight. It was debated and fought over and in the fight it developed that certain deeply concerned political interests were strug- gling to defeat the constitutional conven- tion, possibly because purification of the ballot in Alabama might be hurtful. But the executive committee declared in favor of making the constitutional convention and the purification of the ballot party issue.
 The resolution which sought to defeat this xxyac atodd dau, bxr1 Inc 9rht x.,;lI perhaps come up in the convention tomor- row. but will again be defeated.
 It is evident that there is an element hero which would advise action tomorrow that would defeat the convention in the July election. This clements working from sel- fish political motives, and will be unsuc- cessful. The work of the convention to- morrow will be clean-cut and clear, and it's action will be such as will be endorsed by the people of the state.
 Gathering for the Convention
 The democracy of Alabama is gathered tonight to attend the state convention called to nominate thirty-three delegates to the constitutional convention. The state convention is composed of 5Oi delegates. The convention will be called to order at
 
 state committed He will name as tenn porary officers William H. Denson of Jeff ferson, chairman: Robert D. Walker, of Dallas, secretary; Hardin Ftts, of Tusca- loosa, and Elmore Garrett, of Calhoun, as- sistant secretaries, and L. J. P. owen, of Montgomery, doorkeeper.
 The question of special interest before the executive committee which met to- night was the Gaston proposition to allow the populists seven places on the state ticket in return for the support of that party for the call for a convention. The committee refused to accept the proposi- ton. The following committeeman were present:
 Robert J. Lowe, George R. Jones, E. w. Booker, Francis L. Pettus, II. S. D. Mall lory, Tennent Lomax.
 From the state at large-Poole of Maren- go. Dunn of Clarke, Long of Butler, Mose- ley of Bullock Arlington of Coffee, Daw- son of Emore Collier of Fayette, Bran- don of Tuscaloosa, Jones of St. Clair, Bull lock of Franklin, Hampton of Madison, Murray of Morgan, Smith of Hale, David son of Perry, Robinette of Blount.
 The Gaston proposition was brought be- fore the committee by George R. Jones of the subcommittee appointed to confer with a similar committee of popuists. MT. Jones stated that his committee had failed to hold a meeting on account of the ab- sence of two members. He asked that the subcommittee report be filed. A motion to refer the Gaston proposition to the full committee was carried. Judge Gaston was invited to make statement. He said that he could not pledge the vote of his party: that he could not support a call for the constitutional convention unless the state democratic convention would adopt a plat form with provisions that no white man be disfranchised and that there be no increase in the tax rate and that the constitution be submitted to the people for ratification.