The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-22
THE FIGHT FOR
 RATIFICATION The Committee Met in Birmingham. AN EXPERIENCE MEETING Men from Over the State Tell . of the Conditions. Hon. John B. Knox Favors an Az gressive Campaign-Work Along Educational and Moral Lines is Needed
AN EXPERIENCE MEETING

N~<RN~~~~~'p the first meeting of the State Democratic Campai~1 Committee held at headquar- ters here this afternoon. John c. Pugh of Birmingham, was elected Secretary and presentations were made for the prosecution of a vigorous campaign in behalf of ratification of the new Con- stitution The meeting was held in exec uttve session and at it's conclusion State Campaign Chairman Oscar ". Under wood gave out the following statement:
 Tt is very evident that there is 2 growing sentiment in favor of ratifca- tion. The members of the Committee seemed absolutely confident that ratifi- cation will carry. but it was determined to insure this result by very vigorous and active campaign. The slogan will be white supremacy and the elimination of the ignorant negro vote.
 Stress will also be laid upon the fact that the new Constitution makes better provisions for the public schools by giv- ing them regular support instead of hav- ing them depend upon legislative appro- pfiations and the further fact that the State tax limit has been lowered. The campaign will be along educational lines"
 The Meeting Harmonious.
 The meeting of the Campaign Commit tee was very harmonious. The Commit tee will set about at once preparing and circulating literature showing the supe- riority of the new Constitution over the old one and from now on the campaign will be pressed with vigor. Prior to the meeting of the Campaign Committee there was an, open conference of leading Democrats from all over the State held at campaign headquarters and Q mhn- eral interchange of views took A. The conference was well attended. <.
 The speeches of those present devei- oped the fact that there is in some coun- ties considerable opposition aTnong- DahA- ocrats to ratification, but it is chiefly of a negative character and is due chiefly to a lack of knowledge of the provisions of the new Constitution and conse- uuent reluctance to change. All the speakers expressed the view that this situation could be remedied by a cam paign of education. John B. Knox sounded the keynote of the conference and of the campaign when he boldly as- serted that the opponents of ratification are enemies of good government because they stand for a perpetuation of the menace of the ignorant negro vote.
 Many Democrats Present.
 State Campaign Committee. in charge of the campaign in bela behalf cSf..,t6. of the tSH'aeaY" ton of Alabama, drew to the city today not only the members of that committee but a large number of State, who are interested in the fight which the party is about to undertake in behalf of the new organic law.
 Shortly after noon, Congressman oscar W. Underwood, chairman of the Cam paign Committee, called to order con- ference of the various leaders at the Street. He named 2:30 o'clock as the hour for holding an executive meeting of the Campaign Committee. On motion of Col ouel W. W. Brandon of ~ Jcaloosa, the chairman was authorized call on the gentlemen present for reports as to the outlook for ratification.
 Colonel Sanford of Pike county was the first called. He said that the people of his county were willing and anxious to do what was for the best interests of the State. He said that a quiet cam paign was being waged in behalf of rati- fication. His observation was that all that was needed was for the people to be informed as to the benefits to be derived by the adoption of the Constitution. What is needed, he added, Is literature and a few well chosen and conservative speak CTS. The ultimate result, he thought would be ratification.
 Conditions in Montgomery.
 Gordon Macdonald of Montgomery said there is opposition to the Constitution In his county but it is the result of misap- prehension and ignorance of the new in- etrument. He suggested house to house canvass and predicted final success in Montgomery county
 Judge W. H. Tayloe of Perry county offered to render any services in his pow CTS; He had heard of no opposition to ratification in his county. He said there was needed literature more than speak CTS. Perry county, he declared, will line up for ratification
 Hon. John B. Knox, President of the late Constitutional Convention, was called on to tell what kind of a campaign should fin his opinion be prosecuted. He thought would be best. He stated that the com naittee was on the right side of the ques- tor and that the new Constitution would be of incalculable benefit for the people of the State. He thought that with an aggressive campaign there would be no trouble in carrying the State. The oppo- sition he stated was attempting to keen the negro in power in the matter of the exercise of franchise and thereby keen up contention. He declared that those who opposed ratification are enemies of good government in the State.
 MT Cox of Piclxens county said while his county was against the call for the Convention. there was good chances for ratification.
 John V. Smiths Views.
 Hon. John V. Smith of Russell county said that he believed with an aggressive campaign ratification would certainly car ry. He stated that there were some sec tions of the State which were in doubt, but with work they could be carried. He believed that Dale county, for instance. could be lined up for ratification. This opinion was based on conversations he had had with citizens of that county. As to his own county 1t would give ratifica- ton good majority. Bullock county, Mr. Smith said, while not so encouraging, could be developed with a proper can vass. He gave 1t as his deliberate judg- ment that the Constitution will be rati- fled It stands for good government and white supremacy. The speaker concluded by saying that the men who are fighting ratification are laboring under a misap- prehension. and have simply taken sur face indications.
 Pat McGauley Of Montgomery, said here would be no trouble experienced a his city. but in the County of Mont