The age-herald., 1901-10-15
UNDERWOOD Is
 AGAINST PLANFOR
 WHITE PRIMARY Tells General Shelley to Sub- init Scheme to the Exec
 utive Committee HASN'T THE POWER TO ACT Does Not Believe Proposition Would Be Approved By Demoerats-Antl- Ratification Chairman Ex
 presses Regret.
HASN'T THE POWER TO ACT

Hon. o. w. Underwood chairman of the Democratic State Campaign Commit tee has replied to the letter of General Shelley concerning a white primary and suggests that the General first consult with white Republicans, see if plan can be arranged and then submit the question to the Democratic State Executive Com mittee which is the only body with au- thority to act.
 MT. Underwood's letter follows:
 Birmingham. Ala, October IA, 1901. Gen. c. M. Shelley Chairman, Birming
 ham, Ala.
 In reply to your letters of October and October Ii, in the first of which you ask me to join you in submitting the ratifica- ton or rejection of the new constitution to a white primary of all the voters in Alabama; and in the second of which in reply to my letter asking what power you had to bind the white Republicans of the State to such a proposition, you candidly admit that you have none and propose that you and I should arrange some plan for a white primary and then secure the cooperation of the white Republicans of the State.
 Do Not Gall on Republicans.
 I do not recall any time in the history of the Democratic party of our State when 1t has appealed to the Republican party for cooperation or assistance in de- termining the great questions that have from time to time confronted 1t, nor do believe that such a proposition would meet with the approval of the great masses of the Democratic voters of the State.
 The last Democratic State Convention. pledges the Democracy of the State to submit the question of ratification or re- jection of the new constitution to the people, which In my humble judgment is now party law.
 When the constitution was adopted by the convention at Montgom cry the Dem- ocratic State Executive Committee or- ganized the Democratic State Campaign Committee, of which 1 have the honor to be chairman. to conduct campaign in the name of the Democratic party for the ratification of the new constitution, and the powers of my committee do not ex- tend beyond those delegated by the Dem ocratic State Executive Committee and we have no power to make an agreem ent with the Republican party, or such a one as you suggest. We do not represent any Republicans. But without suggestion on my part, if you think such an arrange tiCiit WiDSs yOu dE6 lTec tO ntBOlldte WttI the chairman of the Republican State Committete for a white primary, and If your proposition is accepted by him. you can then submit the matter to the Demo- cratic State Eecutive Committee which alone has authority to bind the Dem. ocracy of the State to such an agreement.
 Have Not the Time.
 In the meantime I call your attention to the facts that the election for the rat if1cation or rejection of the new constitu- tion Is to be held on Novem Der 11th; that the Republican party and more especially the negroes, have organized an opposition to ratification and that this committee would be recreant to the trust reposed in 1t by the Democratic state Executive Committee if 1t should even temporarily lay aside It's commission or abate It's ef- forts to bring to the attention of the people the good to accrue to the whole State by the ratification of the new con- stitution. Of course 1t Is needless fir me to say that as our committee was created by the Democratic Executive Commit tee we will be bound by whatever action that Committee takes.
 have the honor to be,
 Very respectfully yours.
 o. w. UNDERWOOD, Chairman Democratic State Campaign
 Committee.
 Regrets the Refusal.
 General Shelley in discussing the Un- derwood letter said:
 T have used my best efforts to adjust and harmonize the differences existing among Democrats as to the issue now confronting the party, without injecting personal animosities into the discussion and deeply regret that have not been met in similar spirit. and that my ef- forts have failed"