The age-herald., 1900-08-17
THE NEW GOYERNoR

THE NEW GOVERNOR
 From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 No man who has been elected to an inn portant office in Alabama since the civil war has better cause to feel gratified at the result than has Hon. William J. Sam ford No man has been elected to office in Alabama who received such a per cent. of the total vote cast His nomination was a direct and hearty response to the de- mands of the people. Good men opposed him, men who had a right to ask the Democrats of Alabama their endorsement for the highest office in the State. He had competitors who were worthy and qualified and whose services to the State and to the
 party justified them in asking and expect
 ing the support of the people.
 But the people of Alabama, with what seemed spontaneous unity of purpose, turned to him the proper man at this time to fill the office of Governor of the State. They nominated him over good men and against the efforts and influence of politicians who have sometimes had their own way
 And the people at the polls ratified the work of their delegates and elected him by a practically unanimous vote. The ballots cast for him were fairly cast and honestly counted. The bitter and in some cases dis reputable local contests did not affect him. The dirty methods charged in some places did not smirch his own reputation cast the slightest film of cloud on his title to his seat. Men who bitterly opposed his political principles voted for him because they knew him to be worthy of their con fidence. Men who would vote for no other man bearing the name of Democrat sup
 ported him because they felt pride and interest in the welfare and good name of Alabama. He was elected because he was the choice of the best people of Alabama. That Colonel Sanford will justify the confidence of his fellow-citizens is not to be doubted by those who know him best. His course as a man and as a servant of the public is sufficient assurance that his administration will be a credit to Ala bama He has been tried in various posi- tions and has proven himself an upright, conscientious Christian statesman in every post to which the people have honored him. He will find many responsibilities arising before him. He may encounter grave and difficult problems in the discharge of his official duties He may be confronted by questions which will require the knowledge of a statesman and the courage of a sol dier, and the people who know him and who trust him with the good name of our great Commonwealth have faith that he
 will be equal to all that is required of him. Among the important matters likely to come up during Colonel Samford's admin istration we hold that there is none equal
 in gravity and for which there is more urgent need than the rebuilding of our
 organic law. The times are ripe for a
 Constitutional Convention, and the people have virtually decided that it must be called. Present conditions are intelerable and change must come. It should have the new Governors earnest and hearty SUD- port. He should not only favor the call ing of a convention, but should urge 4 He should use his influence with the Leg islature, if any urging is needed, to have that made one of its first acts. He should put it before the Legislators as 8 duty thee owe to themselves, to the State and to posterity. No higher ambition could act uate the heart of Governor than that a new and better Constitution for Alabama was framed and adopted while he held the helm of State. No brighter page can be written in his history than the one upon which Is recorded his labors for a better Constitution, and no act of any Governor of Alabama will be more to his credit than support of a bill or resolution which pro- vides for calling together the best and wisest men in the State to form an organic law which shall be the beginning of a new dispensation for Alabama and a new era for her people.
 Colonel Sanford cannot retire from off1e with more honorable and satisfactory re- fiection than that he aided with his in fiuence, his counsel and his wisdom in the adoption of new Constitution for the State which has honored him and trusted
 him. He will not disappoint his friends.