The age-herald., 1901-11-03
DEMOCRATS NOW CLAIM STATE BY
 FORTY THOUSAND Leaders Assert There Is Chance to Carry Some of the
 Doubtful Counties FOUR GIVEN TO OPPOSITION In Four Others There Is Likely to Be Hard Fiaht-General Shelley
 stlIl Expresses Con-
 fidence.
FOUR GIVEN TO OPPOSITION

One week from tomorrow the people of Alabama will decide whether they shall be governed by new fundamental law or continue to exist under the old con- stitution.
 A full vote is expected in every county in the State and members of the Demo- cratic Campaign Committee are confident that the new constitution will be ratified by at least 4O,OOO majority. They expect to carry every county with the possible exception of eight. Shelby, Clifton Marshall and St. Clair are practically conceded to the opposition while Talla- poosa, Coosa, Clay and Morgan arc con Democratic headquarters from the doubt full counties indicate a growth in the movement to ratify the constitution and 1t is expected that one or two of the counties will leave the questionable col umn before the end of this week.
 General Charles M. Shelley, chairman of the committee opposed to ratification still expresses confidence of success in his movement and says he will carry at least forty counties in the State. He says he has never received more encour- aging reports in any campaign and sees no reason why he should not win. The General spoke to a large crowd at Pratt City last night and made a conservative argument In support of his cause Gen eral Shelley admits that a suffrage re- form is needed but he thinks the present constitutional convention failed to bring about the desired end. He strongly ob- jects to the registrar system and made 1t one of the principal subjects of his speech
 Opposition Has No Chance.
 The Democrats who are in favor of new organic law for the state argue that the opposition has no chance of winning on the ground that they have no organiz- ation throughout the state. They take the view that with a perfect state organiza- tion and with the best campaign orators in the state on the stump. there is noth- ing to indicate that the constitution will not be ratified.
 County Solicitor Charles w. Ferguson, who has spent several days in a cam paigning tour of Jefferson County, said yesterday that the people were in a very receptive mood, and all that was needed to gain their votes for ratification was to give them a thorough explanation of the provisions of the new constitution.
 The people are not set in their views on this question:" continued MT. Fergu- son, "and those who are opposed to rat iication show no bitter spirit. The main trouble. find. is that many citizens do not understand the purpose of the new constitution. and when this Is made clear to them they as rule have no hesitan- cy in agreeing to vote for it.
 pr. Jones at Leeds.
 Dr. E. w. Jones returned to the city last night from Leeds, where he had gone to fill MT. Fergusons appointment. and reports an enthusiastic meeting. He says the people seemed anxious to hear an explanation of the new constitution. and when he had finished speaking many of the citizens said they were In favor of ratification.
 Chairman Henry B. Gray of the Demo- cratic County Campaign Committed. feels confident of success in Jefferson County by at least 2OOO majority. The 5000 which was left in the Age-Herald business office to bet that Jefferson would cast a ma jority of at least 1000 for ratification has not been covered.