The age-herald., 1901-11-13

Increased majorities against ratification in the white counties in Alabama will slightly effect the North Alabama vote but 1t Is estimated that the majority in the state for the new constitution will not be cut down to less than 25,OO0.
 If the black belt shows up larger majorities than were expected it is thought the first estimate of 5000 major ity will be slightly increased.
 General Shelley and the opposition still claim the state by about 2O,O0O and expect to verify their predictions by the vote in the white counties in which they claim a large majority.
 Chairman Underwood sticks to his for mer figures, 27,500.
 Governor to Issue Proclamation.
 When the official returns have been made to the secretary of state if Ala bama has gone for ratification Gov ernor Jelks will issue a proclama- ton declaring the new constitution in force. Just when the Governor will issue this proclama tion has not yet been decided upon, but in the opinion of sev- eral prominent politicians it will be promulgated within the next two weeks.
 The Age-Herald received the following telegram from Anniston last night:
 MT. knox's Statement.
 Hon. Jonn B. Knox, president of the ccnstit Itlonal convention which framed the new constitution which was yester- day adopted by the people of Alabama, said tonight in reference to yesterday 8 overwhelming victory for ratification:
 'I am very much sratified to know and feet that the new constitution has been accepted by the people. The contest for it's ratification has been remarkable in many respects. one of which Is that it has been chiefly opposed by certain gen. tlemen hy whom it was at one time chiefly advocate d, it is easy enough for men of prominence 70 raise objections to the plan ana suggest doubts as to the sin cer ity of the advocates as has been freely done, of coucse 1t would be altogether cut of place for its advocates tc suggest any want of sincerity on the part of it's opponents however this may be the plan itself will be put upon trial, and it re- mains to be seen whether it's advocate or its opponents will be proven to be false pro pnets.I believe that the new con stitution in it's practical operation will rebound to the permanent and everlast- ing good of our people.
 Prods the Opposition.
 "Our opponents objected to 1t on the ground that 1t did not guarantee or se- cure absolute freedom from fraud, and sought to lead the people to believe that if trusted they would formulate a plan which would secure effectual relief. We do not claim that our plan is perfect As has been remarked during the course of the discussion, something like four thou sand years ago God Almighty upon Mount Sinai wrote upon tablet of stone, thou shalt not steal Moses. the great est law-giver of his time. sought to en- force this commandment, and he did 1t with such regulations as seemed to him sufficient If God Almighty and Moses in four thousand years have not been able to prevent stealing, how are we to expect leaders of the opposition to do it. especially since they have commenced so late in life?
 The success of our plan will depend upon the earnest and sincere support of the people. l believe it will succeed be- cause I believe that the conscience of our people Is awakened; I believe that they are tired of the system under which we have been living and will cooperate for the establishment of good and honest government in this State. Without the cordial support of the people, of course any effort for the betterment of existing conditions will prove abortive.
 Suffrage Article.
 ''The article of suffrage will elevate the standard of our electorate and place the control of the State in the hands of in- telligent and virtuous men, the ignorant negro will be eliminated, no worthy white man will be disfranchised, some white m en may suffer virtual disfranchisement because of refusal to pay a poll tax of one dollar and fifty cents as contribu- ton to the public schools for the edvca- ton of their children, but if so 1t will be voluntary disfranchisement and not one enjoined by the terms of the con- stitution.
 "Under the new constitution the negro can vote if he sees fit and qualities him. self to vote. We have not closed the door upon him and if he fails to qualify himself so as to be able to vote under the temporary or permanent plan of registra- tion it Is his own fault, the conditions laid down apply alike to both races. If more whites are qualified for registra- ton than blacks as l assure you is the case it Is because they possess in larger degree the qualities of good citizenship No matter what qualification we should prescribe the result would be the same if we prescribed as qualification that the test of patriotism, of good character, If educat ation of ownershtn of rrnparfy of