The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-05
HON. G. ". THOMPSON
WRITES TO Mr.. LOWE
That He is Willing for the
State Committee
TO ACT IN FIFTH DISTRICT
Congressman Brewer Says He Would
Abide by Committees Decision
Rival Candidates Come to
City and See Friends
TO ACT IN FIFTH DISTRICT


Hon. R. j. Lowe, Chairman of the State
Democratic Executive Committee, stating
that he is willing to let the State Commit
tee decide whether he or Congressman
nomination. Mr.. Thompson's letter is not
in the nature of an appeal, but is in the
nature of an invitation to the committee to
Investigate the facts surrounding the now
famous convention and state to the voters
of the Fifth District the fact as to who is
the nominee of the Democratic party, and
whom they should support.
Thompson's Letter
The communication is as follows:
birmingham, Ala, September 4. 1900.
Hon r. j. Lowe, Chairman Democratic
State Executive Committee, Birmingham,
Ala:
Dear Sir:-While l am averse to impos-
ing any additional burdens on the Demo-
cratic State Executive Committee on nay
personal account and am confident as to
the regularity and validity of my nominal
ton as the Democratic candidate for Con-
gress in the Fifth Congressional District,
and feel sure of my election in November,
at the same time l esteem party harmony
and unity above anything personal to my
sell. L am WILING TO subordinate my inter
ests to the welfare of the party. AS Hon.
Willis Brewer also claims the nomination,
and as the dual candidacy may tend to
disrupt the party or affect its welfare in
that district, am willing and hereby agree
to submit our respective claims to said
nomination to the State Democratic Elk
ecutive Committee, If, in the Judgment
OF the committee the interest of the party
will be conserved thereby.
Very respectfully submitted.
(Signed) CHARLES w. THOMPSON
Came as a Surprise
Mr. Thompsons letter came as ebm-
plete surprise, and it was generally
thought that neither of the candidates.
would offer to take the matter before the
State Executive Committee. 1t was ar
gued that this would imply doubt as to his
regularity on the part of the candidate so
appealing. Mr. Thompson, however,
serts that he is right, but adds that he is
willing to leave the matter to higher
tribunal.
AS to what will be done by the State
Committee is as yet matter of doubt.
Chairman Lowe has not issued call on
the strength of Mr.. Thompson's letter, and
it is probable that he will not do so for
several days Mr.. Lowe was little reti-
cent about discussing the Brewer-Thomp-
son middle but gave out the following
statement yesterday afternoon:
81 have not decided to call the commit
tee. There has been no appal from the
action of the District Convention, nor have
received evidence of any general desire
on the part of the committee to meet.
Whenever it is made to appear to me that
the interests of the party will be subserved
thereby l will call the committee. L am
not prepared to say more than this today
When I decide to make the call l will let
you know"
Colonel Thompson came to Birmingham
Monday night and remained here yester-
day consulting with his attorneys and
friends. 1t seems that his presence in Bir-
mingham had been heralded afar, for Con-
gresham Brewer arrived shortly after his
rival candidate and was an Interested
watcher of the movements of his oppon-
ent. He had conferences with several of
his friends but whether he made any plans
to offset the action Of Mr.. Thompson is not
known.
Brewer Confident
Few politicians seemed to know of the
presence of Colonel Brewer in the city, but
he was finally found in his room at the
Morris leisurely blowing clouds of smoke
from his famous long stem pipe. He
showed little signs of the recent hard cam
paign and appeared perfectly satisfied with
the situation. Among other things he
said:
~ am the regularly constituted nominee
of the Democratic party in the Fifth Con-
gressional district, and I will not submit
the matter of my nomination to the State
Executive Committee or any other tri
bunal However, If the matter is taken up
by them and a decision is made will GER
tainly abide by the result"
Colonel Brewer expressed regret at the
bitterness which has been engendered on
account of the rival candidacy between
himself and Colonel Thompson, but said
he had not the slightest doubt that he was
regularly nominated Congressman Brew
er left for Montgomery late yesterday
afternoon.
Thompson Confident
Mr.. Thompson, who left the city an hour
ahead of Congressman Brewer, was equal
ly as confident of success as his opponent.
He talked freely of the muddle in the Fifth
district. He said: II will not only be sue
cessful in my race, but will be elected
to Congress by the largest majority ever
accorded Democratic candidate In my dis
trict l will win whether Colonel Brewer
runs or not. 1 am certain of carrying Tai
lapoosa County and have been invited to
open my campaign at Alexander City
Tallapoosa is mine by $500 majority. I al
so feel confident of carrying Lowndes
County by large majority. There is not
the least danger of any county that stood
by me in the convention going back on
me in the election"
Colonel Thompson left for Alexander