The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-21
THE CONVENTION
And Some Things That Should Be
 Done.
Marion. Ala, Ma Editor Tho Aduartfcar.

Marlon. Ala, May ZO, l3Vl. Editor The Advertisers:
 Believing, as l do, that we should have new Constitution. and that such an organic law should be made as will. for ages to come, rebound to the we'll fare and happiness of all the people the humblest as feeling it's protecting care, and the grandest as not exempt from its power. and desiring to do what 1 can to bring about such re- suit, Is the cause of this letter.
 There are, in my judgment, very many things that might be improved on. But there has been too much whole Judicial system needs overhaul ing. but the people have had no time to discuss this, nor will the Conven- tion. As to this then we will still have to suffer the evil of costs and expense devOuring estates. And the only question of far-reaching effect, that will come before the Convention is the franchise. And the great diff culty about this is, 1t seems, how to dispose of the negro. Shall We treat him justly or unjustly? Every good man will say that he ought to be treat ed justly. But as to what is justice to him, and at the same time justice to the white man. has given rise to various and diverse opinions. I at one time thought justice to the negro was that he should be disfranchised, thereby to great extent doing away with the friction between the two races. But I am satisfied that this is not right, unless it be that it will drive the negro away from here. If the two races are to live together, and this seems to be our destiny, l am con- vinced that the best solution of the HiffinI1lfU i, that a chn1lld he allowed the same rights under the law. and re- ceive the same protection. as others, so ordering it as that the social ques- tion shall not arise.
 And if he shows that he is capable of approaching. and enjoying good gov ernment, then he should be allowed a voice in its making. If then there is to be restriction of the franchise. and of this I am thoroughly convinced, let 1t, like the dew of Heaven, fall on all alike.
 I've want no makeshifts nor subter- fuges. but something that will bring about harmony. and thereby stand the test of all law, human and divine. How to form a clause to have such a much desired result, I leave to the assem- bled wisdom of the Convention.
 The honorable Chairman of the Cam paign Committee thinks that poll tax clause and a primary election law is the thing to be desired. Now, in all candor, does he desire honest elections? If he does, is he not aware of the fact that for several years we have had such a law, and yet in his own county there was more fraud charged in the primary election of last year than was ever heard of before? I think the gen tlemans suggestion smacks too much of the old order of things, which I trust will be forever wiped out. think Governor Oates idea the correct oif i'd that tlis.. sF!as been iss: proved on by the Convention, should be adopted. And it will be ratified by the people, discussion or no discussion. And let us add, that for his fearless position on this question he deserves the highest consideration at the hands of the Convention, too. I dare say he will not be president, if he has to fight railroad passes.
 There are also some minor questions that should be attended to.
 All legislation affecting counties should be left to the Commissioners Court, and that for the relief of indi- viduals to the courts. And all incor- porations should be exclusively by gen. eral law, and then there need be no meeting of the Legislatures oftener than once in four years, and elections accordingly. All offices should be filled by direct vote of the people, and the railroad pass curse abolished, and the sight of an Alabama judge trying a cause in which a railroad is interested, with a railroad pass in his pocket, a thing of the past. If the Convention should be too heavily laden with pass es, as not to be able to pass such a clause, making it bribery, why then let that if chall ha the 6nfIy nf the railroads to furnish free passes.
 w E. HORue