The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-08
Issues an Able Address to the PeO- ple of Alabama FavOring Rati- ficatiOn of the New
 Constitution.

The movement, having for it's purpose the framing and adoption Of new or ganic law for the State of Alabama, Is not of sudden growth. For years 1t has been realized that the present Constifu- ton has apparent and real deficiencies, considered with reference to conditions obtaining in the State and it's material end political advancement, and, during these years, public sentiment gradually formed in favor of calling a Convention to frame a new Constitution.
 Party's Position.
 The General Assembly, which met in 1890, submitted to the people the ques- ton of holding Constitutional Conven- tion, 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 a party question. The Democratic State Executive Committee appointed Demo- cratic Campaign Committee to carry on the campaign for Constitutional Con- vention, and, 1t having been made a par ty issue, 1t naturally followed that the party's fight for the call of the Conven- ton resulted In the election of a large majority of the delegates to the Conven- tion, who were members of the Demo- cratic party.
 Democratic Committee.
 When the Convention had assembled and had Completed it's labors, provided Tor 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 izing 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 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- tutien.
 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 1t, 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- stitution is Democratic document and that it's 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 it holds it's credentials from the regularly constituted authority of the Democratic party by the usual and customary meth- ad If onnntnffnO nnrnnnPnfin ot Campaign Committee. and it 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 155 members of the Consti- tutional Co.,. vention. 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 it's sessions, and the new Constitution is the result of the most ar- duous and patient labor and deliberation. The cost of the special election last year upon the call for Convention and the expense of the Convention, will, of course, be lost if the people vote against it's rati- fication.
 CnafacLSr haS weight.
 Included in the Democratic majority fin the Convention were men who had fill ed the most exalted stations in the State; men who have been the honored and trusted leaders of the people in the past men 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
 .aol 2,,A -l substance and property holders; men of the Christian faith, who appreciated the high duty, which deyolves on citizen called upon to frame an organic law for his State; men of unblemished character in public and private life; men who are honest and fearless-such were the kind of men that made up the Democratic ma jority. No abler or more patriotic body than these ever met for such purpose in any State. They have framed the new Constitution, and keeping their pledge to do so, have submitted it to the people for ratification. Their names are appended to it. 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 evil dence that they would not submit to the people an unworthy Constitution.
 Comparison Invited of Old and New
 In addition. however, we invite a care full study of the instrument itself It had been published and is being given the widest publicity and distribution. It 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 it's provi ions be consult and compared with the present Constitution before the statemC nts of the opposition to it be ac- cepted
 Needed Correction.
 It must b. r. membered that the very pu pose in framing new Cons ,itution is to correct defci nci S in and objections to the old, and that, if the present Consti- tuition were p.rfect we would not need to change it.
 The very men who are now leading the oppo ition to ratification have, on former and co paratively late occasions, admit ted and urg d that the pres, mt COnstitu- ton ne d alteration and amendme mt and esp cially have they advocated and urged that the suffrage plan of the pres ent Constitution need 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, We may mention that the new Constitution will effect the following.
 Ffrst-A reduction of the State tax rate from 75 cents to 65 cents on the s10O.
 Second-A much larger donation to, and provision for the public schools. The new Constitution provides that near