The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-19
Won Over Lowe By a Majority
Of 70 Votes,
SOME STORMY PROCEEDINGS
Hewitt Men Captured Convention
by Electing Chairman
iSHKOODA BOX WAS THROWN OUT
Beats Holding Elections But Not Max
ing Returns Would Probably Swell
Hewitt's Majority-Lowe Gave
Up.Fight in Manly Speech.

After ten hours OF wrangle, fiery speeches,
dilatory tactics, useless motions and the
numerous tlresome features of bitter par
liamentary fight, the county executive COM
mittee last night declared Robert G.. Hew-
lit the nominee for constitutional conven-
ton delog over Robert j. Lowe. Mr..
Hewitt's actual majority over Mr. Lowe,
including all boxes where elections were
held, with tho exception of Ishkooda,
was 70.
The committee convened at 12:4O yester-
day and never adjourned until shortly after
II o'clock last night, when Mr.. Lowe in
characteristic speech teeming with good
humor and manliness, gave up the fight
and pledged his support to his erstwhile
opponent.
Since dark the committee had been occu-
pied in hearing arguments over the boxes
that had been challenged. The last one
was North Birmingham and the committee
had voted adverse to throwing it out. Ed
gar L. Mitchell, representing Mr.. Lowe;
had called for the several boxes where
elections were held and the returns not
made. 1t was at this juncture that Mr..
Lowe stepped forward.
Democracy's verdict
II think the time has passed for mo-
tions" said he. 1.-The democracy of Jeffer-
son county has spoken and the result has
been ascertained by this committee l am
frank TO say that 1t will give me great
pleasure to support Mr.. Hewitt in this race
tApplanse.) l will support him as sincerely
and honestly as 1 will support the other
candidates. My Judgment as to the wisdom
of constitutional convention, my convic-
ton that 1t is best for our grand common
wealth is as strong as it was month
ago. My efforts and my energies will be
devoted to its success"
Mr.. Lowe expressed the conviction that
the party would stand on the Platform
adopted by the state convention, and con-
cluded amid deafening applause
In few minutes the committee adj
journed, and as Mr.. Lowe was leaving the
room Mr.. Hewitt shook hands with him,
saying: Il am only sorry to see a good
man beaten
Started Like storm and Ended Like a Calm
The meeting of the committee began like
storm and at times the thunder grew
more terrific, but it all ended in a perfect
calm.
The afternoon was spent. in deciding
whether the committee should accept tie
certified returns without counting the bal
lots. The Hewitt leaders contended that
the prima facie evidence should be accept
ed, while Mr.. loves friends wanted tie
ballots counted. From the election of
chairman down the Hewitt members stood
solid against everything advanced by the
" q of n *
II was growing late when the canvass
of the vote began under the direction of
a committee of five 1t was concluded
sortly after 6 and the following boxes had
been challenged:
By Lowe-Bethlehem, Cedar Grove,
Union, BIossburg, North Birmingham, Lo-
Gust Fork and Huffman.
By Hewtt-EIill beat.
The entire committee heard the evidence.
Mr.. Lowe claimed that the polls at Beth
lehem were not opened until after noon.
This he claimed was against the letter ard
spirit OF the law. Mr.. Hewitt asserted that
no ballots were sent with the box and that
the managers opened the polls as soon as
they could get them. The committee re-
fused to throw the box out.
shkooda Thrown Out
Ishkooda box was thrown out by consent
of both sides, and on motion of Mr. Grady
of Pratt City vote of censure was passed
on the man who signed the certificate of
returns.
Mr. Hewitt withdrew his challenge of Hill
beat.
The most spirited contest was over North
Birmingham box. Mr.. Lowe charged that
the box was not opened until afternoon
on the day of election, and that the return
certificate was not signed by any of the
authorized managers clerks. He claim
ed that many of his supporters were pre-
vented from voting on account of the polls
being opened so late.
Mr.. Hewitt said that if 1t were not for
the reflection it would cast on the men who
held the election he would not allow
fight to be made.
The box was counted on vote of the COM
mittee.
The other boxes were disposed OF without
argument.
The tabulated returns follow: