The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-03

The movement, having for its purpose the framing and adoption Of new or rapic law for the State of Alabama, Is not of sudden growth. For years It mas been realized that the present Consntu- ton has apparent and real denciencies' considered with reference 10 conoilons obtaining in the State and it's material and political advancement, and, during these years, public sentiment gradually formed in favor of calling Convention to frame a new Constitution.
 Party's Position.
 The General Assembly, which met in fsco. submitted to the people the ques- fon of holding a Constitutional Conven- Non, and a special election was held to determine it. When the call was sub nitted, the Democratic party, in State Convention assembled, took positive ground and declared itself in favor of The call. The question then became . sarty question. The Democratic State Executive Committee appointed Demo- cratic Campaign Committee to carry on the campaign for a Constitutional Con- rention and, it having been made par " issue it naturally followed that the ,arty's fight for the call of the Conven- aon resulted in the election of a large majority of the delegates to the Conven- jon, who were members of the Demo- ratic party.
 Democratic Committee.
 When the Convention had assembled and had completed its labors. provided for submitting the new instrument for ratification or rejection to the people, and adjourned, the Democratic State Execu- tive Committee met and again appointed a Democratic State Campaign Commit tee, by selecting a chairman, and author lzing the appointment by him of fourteen other Democrats, and charged this com mittee with the duty of conducting the campaign in favor of ratification of the new Constitution. In thus constituting a campaign committee, the State Com mittee was following a precedent, uni- formly adopted by that committee, in all State campaigns in which the Democratic party has taken part This Campaign Committee has been organized and in- tends to vigorously and progressively urge the ratification of the new Consti- tution.
 Democratic Document.
 The more so, because the history of the movement for a new Constitution, the active part taken by the Democratic party in the call for the Convention to frame it, the election of nearly nine tenths of the whole membership of the Convention as Democrats. and the work of that Democratic majority in the Con- vention and in submitting the instrument to the people for ratification, proclaim, In no uncertain tones, that the new Con- ytitution is a Democratic document and that its defeat will be recognized and declared, by the opposition to the Demo. cratic party, as the defeat of the party Itself This Committee does not desire to arrogate to itself any power. but il holds its credentials from the regularly constituted authority of the Democratic party, by the usual and customary meth Dd of appointing a Democratic State Campaign Committee, and 1t will conduct the campaign as a Democratic Campaign Committee should. The foregoing recital of facts is relied on to show, at once, the reason for, and the right of, this Committee to issue this address.
 Democratic Delegates.
 There were 1855 members of the Consti- tutional Convention. Nearly or quite nine-tenths of the members were life long Democrats. The deliberations of the Convention extended over three months; the fullest and freest discussion obtained in its sessions, and the new Constitution is the result of the most ar duous and patient labor and deIiberation. The cost of the special election last year upon the call for a Convention and the lxpense of the Convention, will, of course, be lost if the people vote against its rati- acation.
 Character Has Weight Included in the Democratic majority n the Convention were men who had fill- I'd the most exalted stations in the State; men who have been the honored and trusted leaders of the people in the past nen of distinction in the professions; men who had fought for Alabama in the war between the States; men prominent in the affairs of life in peace in their seV- eral communities, and representing every material interest in the State; men oi yubstance and property holders; men oi he Christian faith, who appreciated thu high duty, which devolves on a citizen called upon to frame an organic law fol his State; men of unbiemished character In public and private life; men who ar, honest and fearless-such were the kinC of men that made up the Democratic ma sority. No abler or more patriotic body than these ever met for such a purpose in any State. They have framed the new Constitution, and keeping their pledge tc do so, have submitted it to the people for ratification. Their names are appended to 1t. If it be ratified. these men and their children must live, enjoy liberty and pursue happiness under it. And we point to the high characters of the men who framed the instrument as an evi- dence that they would not submit to the people an unworthy Constitution.
 Comparison Invited of Old and New
 In addition. however, we invite care full study of the instrument itself. It had been published and is being given the widest publicity and distribution. II is a great improvement on, and is, there fore, better Constitution than the pres ent one. A careful reading of it will convince the voters of its merits, and we urge that 1t be read, and especially that its provisions be consulted and compared with the present Constitution before the statements of the opposition to it be ac. cepted.
 Needed Correction.
 It must be remembered that the very purpose in framing a new Constitution 1. to correct deficiencies in and objections tC the old, and that, if the present Consti tuition were perfect we would not need tC change it.
 The very men who are now leading th' opposition to ratification have, on former and comparatively late occasions, admit ted and urged that the present Constitu ton needed alteration and amendment and especially have they advocated anC urged that the suffrage plan of the pres ent Constitution needed amendment.
 Some Beneficial Changes.
 It is not our purpose to make an elab. crate argument upon the several changes made by the new Constitution nor to at. tempt an enumeration of all of them Among the more beneficial, however, wt may mention that the new Constitution will effect the following:
 First-A reduction of the State tax rate from 75 cents to 65 cents on the $l00.
 Second-A much larger donation to he pnbIic schnoIc