The age-herald., 1901-08-28
TO BE MADE A
 PARTY MEASURE That is the News That Comes from Montgomery WISDOM OF II DOUBTED HERE Believed ex-Governor Johnston Is Or ganizing His Forces to Raise a
 Row If Convention
 Is Held.
WISDOM OF II DOUBTED HERE

The following is a special dispatch to the Age Herald from Montgomery:
 "The question of the ratification of the constitution will be made a party issue. It Is not yet definitely determined whether a caucus of the Democratic members of the convention will be called to determine this matter, but if not, and it is left to the State executive committee, that body will in all probability make 1t party measure.
 From all quarters comes the report that the white men in the State are pleased with the new constitution, and one of the strongest reasons in favor of It's adoption is that 1t has already been paid for. It has cost the State nearly $100, 900, and the average voter says 10 himself, having paid for 1t, why not ac- cept 1t? Thus the prospects for it's ratif1- cation are bright
 What Will Johnston Do?
 There is considerable discussion as to whether the new constitution should be made party measure. With this discus sion Is much speculation as to what part ex-Governor Johnston will take in the af- fair. It Is believed that he will oppose the new constitution and that he is now or ganizing his forces against it. It is point ed out that he will have an excellent op- portunity of making much noise If noth- ing more, in the event a convention is fA 1ra close friend of the ex-Governor said yes- terday:
 "It is not my privilege to speak for Governor Johnston in the matter of the ratification or rejection of the new consti- tuition, but I believe he is opposed to this singular instrument of organic law and that if the State Democratic executive committee calls a convention of the Democratic party for the purpose O. mak- ing the ratification of the constitution a party measure, that Is to say, if voting for the adoption of the constitution is sought to be made obligatory upon Demo- crats, he will call upon his friends and supporters in the sixty-six counties to en- deavor to send delegates to the party con- vention ho will vote to direct the party against ratification.
 We all know that the Democratic Executive Committee is in itself pow erless to make the acceptance of the new constitution a party measure. The committee has no more right or power to instruct Democrats as to how they shall vote in this particular than this committee has to frame the President s message to Congress upon it's assembling in December next.
 "Ihe question is absolutely and unqual- ihedly without the Jurisdiction of the committed, and If the committee attempt to instruct Democrats in the matter it will simply make itself ridiculous. The committee may request; 1t cannot pos sibly direct.
 "A state convention of the Democratic party of Alabama is alone of right and power o make any issue a party ques- ton or measure. Chairman Lowe and every member of the committee know this.
 And so, coming down to brass tacks, every Democrat shall be left alone to vote as he desires, unless a state con- vention of the party be called.
 Jefferson Would Oppose 1t.
 "If such convention be provided for by the State Committee, I'll warrant you majority of that convention will instruct Democrats not to vote for the new consti- tuition. AS for Jefferson County, 1t would send a solid delegation instructed against the constitution, and what is true of Jeff ferson is true of most of the counties.
 ''They said Governor Johnston was boss. They would simply seek to create another boss, and the people won't have 1t that way Whether Governor Johnston. Governor Oates, or some other strong man. lead the revolt against the new con- stitution is of no immediate concern. The revolt would be lead
 "The new constitution is not popular, let it's advocates say what they will. It may be adopted by the people if left an open issue, but if our Democratic party authorities seek to make 1t a mere parti- san issue through State convention of the party or otherwise 1t will be defeated. No intelligent man can doubt that.
 "As I have said the State Democratic Committee is powerless to dictate to Democrats how they shall vote upon the proposed organic law. The committee dare not call a State convention of the party.
 Governor Johnston has staunch sup porters in every county. That is likewise true of Governor Oates. But whatever these two leaders say or do the people of |. A4 &xzA