The age-herald., 1901-10-09
EMPIRE COUNTY
 FOR CONSTITUTION
Jefferson Executive Committee
 Have Big Meeting
HEAR HOPEFUL REPORTS
One Committeeman After Another Tells of Most Favorable CondI- tons Tn the Various Precincts
 of county-shelley Letter.

The Jefferson County Democratic cam paign committee favorable to the ratifi- cation of the new constitution held it's first meeting yesterday.
 Thirty-five members of the committee were present and they made encouraging reports regarding the situation in the dif- ferent precincts.
 The members of the committee present were the following:
 Henry B. Gray. chairman; W. s. Brown. w. M Drennen, Walter Moore. R. H. Kerr, II. B. Abernathy. p. w. Barrett, J. M. Perkins, E. A Dudley, A. J. Kelly, F. Lesser. B. H. Cooper, R. B. Rodgers. c. c. Heidt E. A. Little. c. D. Com stock, D. D. Courson, R. A. Terrell, P. J. Stith, J. H. Leath. E. II. Cabaniss, M. r. Wood, Paul Greene. John Antwine. Dupont Thompson, R. F. Johnston, John Savage. E. L. Iigdon, c. P. Beddow, G. M. Cruikshank. W. H. Kettig, G. B. Burk- halter. J. B. Gibson, F. L. Grambs. and w. J. Parkes. secretary.
 In addition to the thirty-five members above mentioned, there were present at the meeting a number of other promi- nent Democrats, among whom were Hon. o. w. Underwood Harry Jones. R. II. Thach, John c. Pugh and J. J. Altman
 After the meeting was called to order by H. B. Gray. chairman, who stated that the purpose of the meeting was for consultation amongst the members of the committee, various members were called up for a statement of the condition of affairs in their respective territories.
 R. B. Rogers of East Lake stated there was no doubt of the sentiment of the citizens of East Lake and beat 10 in re- gard to the new constitution; ttA they were heartily in favor of it, and the proposition would be undoubtedly carried in that beat.
 John Savage, Mayor of Warrior, stated that he had inquired Into the matter, not only in Warrior But throughout beat r. and was satisfied the new constitution would carry in Warrior and in beat IT.
 Paul Stith stated that from all informa- ton he had been able to obtain he was bdtibiiCo ihdb bCdt 10 HOuiu 6O III AoNOA of the new constitution. both at Brook side and at Coaiburg.
 c. B. Comstock stated that he believed the constitution would carry in Pratt City and beat g, although there was as yet some opposition there. arising mainly from lack of information in regard to the new constitution. and that when voters were informed thoroughly he believed there would be substantial majority for the constitution in his beat.
 Alderman J. M. Perkins of Ensley was like MT, Comstock, in that he has found some opposition in beat 45, especially in Ensley, which arose mainly from lack of proper information regarding the merits of the new constitution, but he believed 1t was rapidly changing. and was satis- fled that with proper dffusement of in- formation, beat 45 would go for the new constitution.
 Representative J. H. Leath stated that he had talked the matter over consider ably amongst the laboring men and that the majority were favorably inclined to ratification. Such opposition as existed arose mainly from misapprehension in re- gard to the suffrage clause. some having been informed that it was necessary for a man to posses all the qualifications named in that clause in order to vote, in- stead of only one, and that when the true intent of that clause was explained he found no difficulty in convincing them that the new constitution should be rat flied.
 David D. Courson said he found amongst the shop men and mechanics rather lack of interest in the new con stitution. but those who did take interest in the matter seemed favorable. and he was satisfied when the matter was fully put before them. they would give their final support.
 w. 8. Brown stated his conversations had been mostly confined to his friends from the country. and he was agreeably surprised by the size of the majority fa- vorable to the constitution. It was con siderabiy larger than he expected.
 F. H. Cabaniss said that the bench and bar were almost unanimous in support of the constitution, and he was satisfied they would do all in their power to secure It's adoption.
 A. J. Reilly stated that in his opinion Precinct 20 and Pratt City were favora- ply disposed to the new constitution. and that as soon as the people thoroughly un- derstood the workings of the new consti- tution would give 1t their support. A number whom he had talked with did not understand 1t. but those who did were in favor of 1t. He was in favor of thorough circulation of copies of the constitution.
 E. Lesser talked along the same line, and advised that steps be taken to ac- quaint the population of foreign birth in regard to the exact provisions of the new constitution. that when they once thor oughly understood the new constitution and what 1t meant he was satisfied the entire foreign born vote would favor 1t.
 Alderman Walter Moore of Birmingham spoke of the necessity of correcting the false impression some persons were en- deavoring to make amongst the people in regard to different clauses in the new con- stitution that If the people were cor rectiy informed in regard to the consti- tuition there could be no doubt of their support. both in the city and in the coun- try. fisy