The age-herald., 1901-10-20
Returns from West and Answers Speakers Who Have
 Criticised Him
SAYS HE IS NOT CANDIDATE
Reiterated old Statement and Defends Ills Record on the Cues
 ton of New Con-
 stltution.


 ston's statement follows:
 Since my return from San Francisco l have been amused. but not surprised. to learn that my absence was ascribed to two reasons; one that had gone to get money for the campaign and the other to abandon it. One is Just as true as the other. The fact Is, did not mention the matter to any man, directly or indirectly during my absence.
 I am informed, however that during my absence some gentlemen favorine ratification on the stump and in the press, have paid their respects to me. love to be remembered by my friends, and I greatly appreciate the importance given me by my opponents.
 I thought the real issue was whether the new or the old constitution was the best, and that the Judgment of the free white men of Alabama would not be seriously affected by the possible calam- ity of my holding office again.
 He Ia Not a Candidate.
 But 1t seems that my declaration that am neither a candidate for office and desired none is distrusted by some gentle men who will probably not make the same declaration themselves. I suppose that they cannot comprehend how man can possibly be content to remain pri- vate citizen.
 I am also informed that it has been said on the stump that not thing that I predicted in 1899 that might be done if a constitutional convention was held was in fact done.
 I am certainly grateful to the constitu- tional convention for so carefully observ- ing my wishes. Had 1 known that they were so generously disposed to meet my views and suggestions would have been glad to have warned them against some things they did not do.
 I should have earnestly advised them to fix the qualifications and right of every man to vote in the constitution itself. and not leave 1t to the arbitrary and irrespon- sible discretion of three registrars not chosen by the people ..s.
 would also have urged them not to insert provision in the constitution that believe to be nnconstitutional-amon them Is the honorable gentleman recently appointed district judge, who will proba- bly, be the first to pass on 1t.
 I would also have advised them against authorizing the creation of a vast num- Der of new courts and officials to be sup ported by taxation of all the people.
 For Honest Primaries.
 I would have earnestly advised them to put In some one provision at least that would secure honest primaries and elec- tions. Had this been done MT. Chairman Lowe of the Democratic State executive committee could not have said: Tt is a plan that renders possible infamous frauds In Alabama. the most infamous ever perpetrated. because they will be written in the constitution It would have saved Chairman Underwood of the campaign committee of those favoring ratification this humiliating confession in his address issued this week: "1t (honest elections), "may not come all at once, but the Democratic party (not the new con- stitution) has set its face towards hon. esty in elections and It's policies will ob- tain.'' Evidently MT. Underwood does not apprehend that honest elections will come so suddenly as to paralyze us; but he has hopes that in the distant future the party, not the new constitution, will give us honest elections. No doubt MT Underwood's committee were embarrass- ed by the fact that not only not thing had been put in the constitution to secure honest elections, but that the vonvention itself had absolutely refused to provide that in this very election those opposing rati- f1cation should have one inspector and one clerk at each polling place; and also refused to pass an ordinance allowing a contest of the result before a Democratic Supreme Court.
 The most that was done for common schools was an apparent endeavor to Be- cure for the future the appropriations made during my term as Governor with out the aid of any new constitution.
 l regret. too, that the proposition of General Shelley, chairman of the Demo cratic campaign committee against ratifi- cation. to submit this question to white primary was not accepted. White su- premacy" fs emblazoned on the banner of the ratifiers. but when 1t comes to actual ly giving 1t to the people they seem to have serious doubts about It's desirability.
 They Want Variations.
 Those opposing ratification were will ing for the white men or the white Democrats to decide the question and then to have stood as unit by the re- suit, whether for or against; but our friends on the other side seem to prefer white supremacy with colored ''yaria- tions' and additions.
 So far as l am concerned, when see some gentlemen leading the ratification cause denouncing those who are oppos- ing-for daring to exercise the right of a free man on question so important as a Fundamental law, question which the State Democratic committee refused to make party issue-I am more fully convinced now than ever that the new constitution should be defeated: for if those aspiring to lead the people can do these things, what may we hope or fear from the partisanship of three registrars who can admit or reject any white man to the suffrage?
 shall prefer that my right to vote shall rest on the plain provisions of law rather than on the discretion of three men appointed by any man or set of men. I agree again with Mir. Chairman Lowe in saying that such a plan is an abomination."
 Teiis a Story.
 am afraid that the politicians are of the same opinion as to this suffrage scheme that the little boy was whose father was whipping him for telling lie and demanded of him to tell what the Bible said about liars. After some sobs and hesitation he said: The Bible says that a liar is an abomination in the sight of the Lord, but very present help in time of trouble"
 Those favoring ratification say that no white man will be disfranchfsed I will not give my opinion, but simply quote what Senator Morgan said on this grib- ject in his letter to Capt. Frank White:
 Tt is far from being comfort to me that some negroes are included and many white men are left out by the ordi- nance reported by majority of the com mittee on suffrage"
 The ordinance referred to is now a part of the new constitution.
 A year ago Senator Morgan was con