The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-02

ency in the State. We have the Re. publican party and also the PcpuiistS and am glad to say of these gentle men. that they are not like the op- position to Democracy was many yeafs ago, entirely of an odious charactefs but we recognize among those or the opposition good men at this day. ana there are some patriotic men among them. Now. sir. we are in power ana what say, I say not only as . de!e- gate in this Convention. but as .ife long Democrat ,who has not always fully agreed with his party. but when I have not agreed. and the party has acted, I have nevAr dissented. but have gone along with it and voted its ticket even when against my judgment. of- fer this. sir. in a proper spirits and ask the delexates to think about 1t, It is simply this. that not more than two of the Registrars in each county shall be of the same political party The section already requires that they shall be good men. I do not mean to be understood that. the man elected from the other party should not him. self be good man. not at all. but the Democrats have the power and the proposition is for the Governor and tive of the State officers to appoint these Registrars fin the different countess Every one knows that there Is c feeling of opposition to the Board of Hegistras ton. You will find it even among tho Democrats. Now. sir. haven't we pre- cedence for this actionf am Rlad that as time progresses. legislators In Congress. and in the States. are more and more disposed to adjust the flneAss ures which are of political or penuia political nature. to present condni0nA, and not utterly to ignore the minority We have precedence for this. by both political parties--the great ones, mean--the Democratic and Republican, parties. Here in Alabama. Dem5cratiy Legislatures in the past provided fof having one of the Judges of Electiok. to be of the minority party. and there. should be not more than two of tho. same party; they have provided also for markers of the different political parties, and 1t was cofnmendable that such recognition should be given. We are all human beings and trust pat. riotic men. and 1t is noble upon the part of any man to make reasonable concession to him that differs with him in opinion and to treat him aS q gentleman wherever his conduct war rants it. Now. want to call the at- tention of these gentlemen to sone facts. You take the civil service law, which has been indorsed by the Demo- cratic party as well as the Republicans Of the nation, and which was observed and maintained closely by the only Democratic President we have had since the war, Cleveland, during his administration, and by the Republican administrations as well. The language of that law is. in reference to the ap. polntn1ent of the Civil Service cpm- rnissioners, Mot more than two of whom shall be adherents of the same political party" There are three of them. and not more than tive of them shall be of the same political party. | so when the Democrats were in power ! there were two Democrats on the board, and one Republican, when the Republican party is in power. thero ! are two Republicans on the board and one Democrat. Then take the InterS , state Commerce Law, which was pass. ed-- ss
 Mir. Burns--what would you do for instance in my county. We have not got any Republicans. Would we have to do without legislation because we could not get a respectable white Ttes publican!
 MT. oates-Not at ali. If in any county 1t was not practicable to be eor.
 
 have the right to appoint three men. so as to come as near to 1t as they can. If they appoint all of them to belong to the same political party, then that would not be in violation of the law, when 1t is ifnpracticable to do 1t otherwise, but I would not put Into the law that exception. Now. you take the interstate CoEanierce Law which was passed when both houses of Con-. gress were Democratic. and Grover Cleveland was the President. and what Is the language of that law. That not more than three of the Commissioners shall be appointed from the safho poe litical party" There were i've of them. There were three Democrats and two Republicans. Now sir. we 20 to the Board Of General Appraisers of Cus- toins. The language of that Is Not
 more than five of such Appraisers shall be appointed from the same po- iitical Dartv."
 The President-The time of the gen- tleman from Montgomery has expired.
 Mir Oates-I do not like to trespass, but would like to have few min lites more.
 Mir. walker--r move that the rules be suspended and that the gentleman be given ten minutes further :,fi1e.
 
 to suspend the rules was carried. and the time of the gentleman was GxA tended. @
 Mir. Oates-I thank the Convention, and the gentleman who~made the mo. tion. l would not accept the courtesy, if had been able to present all of my illustrations. Now, sir, every delegate here knows that while that law was passed, the Board of Appraisers, dur ing a Republican administration. that a citizen of Alabama. and there is no better Democrat in the State than he, and a man beloved by all of our peo. pie, was appointed by a Republican administration, as one of those ape praisers. I allude to Judge Sommer- vile, who has q life appointment ct S7, 800 a year. call attention to. the law. to revisions in the law, estab1ish- ing a Court of Private Land Claims, which does the same thing, provided that not more than two of the three Judges shall be of the same political party. and then again, in the Indian Commission. known as the "Gause'' Commission. that Is now at work, that provides for minority representation and that most estimable Southern gems tlennan, and Democrat, Clifton R. Breckinridge of Arkansas, is upon that Board, appointed by q Republican President Now. sir, these are illus. trations of this kind of generosity or justice. for I believe 1t just. Why not allow a minority man. wherever 1t is Dracticahle on this Board of Commits