The age-herald., 1901-06-02
SOME GOSSIP
 IF ALABAMA'S
 CONVENTION Men Who Will Have a Strong
 Influence on Events TIE NEGRO WILL BE AIDED ] The Birmingham Delegation is an Able 7 Body of Men-An Ex-confederate Who Believed In Not chars-
 Ing License Fees.
THE NEGRO WILL BE AIDED
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

Montgomery, June 1. = Especially = The close Of the second week of the consttu- tional convention shows that its integral parts are fitting together and are settling down to smooth running order. The con- vention. in word, is beginning to find itself. In some respects, notably suffrage matters, the convention still does not known where it is at," but this matter, like the rest, will be settled in time.
 With the close of each day the conven- tion Is seen to be running smoother and smoother. The rules are beginning to be better understood and President Knox is proving himself an able helmsman. He is prompt in opening the convention, is quick and alert in his rulings and is al- ways courteous and unruffled. With an intimate acquaintance of the various members of the convention, their tastes and capacities, he has shown great judg- ment in selecting his committees. Fortu- nately for him and the convention. he has had splendid material to select from. The present convention contains many of the brightest intellects in Alabama. some of whom are men of wide legislative and judtcia; experience.
 AS tiuie goes on these men will nat urally take leading parts in the conven- tion's deliberations, and 1t is quite safe to predict that nothing cratic or extreme will be adopted by the convention against their influence. Many of the ordinances introduced might fall under this describ- ton, but they all have to run the gaunt- let of the committees, and it is quite probable such will be clubbed to death.
 One of the men in the convention on whom President Knox largely leans fer assistance is Gregory L. Smith of Mobile. MT. Smith is considered by many |as the leading lawyer of Alabama He has been selected as chairman of <yhe judiciary committee and holds secSnd place on the gcommittee on rules, sf which the presi- dent Is ex-seicio Chairman. MT. Smith by virtue of his legal ability will exert q large influence in the convention. Be- sides, he is eminently fair and impartial. He is not a politician in the usual sense of the word although he is tactful and a man of sound judgment. He is also mod est, a rare virtue in the public man of the twentieth century.
 Another man who is always listened to
  Governor William c. Oates. Governor Oates is a politician of high type. His wide experience in legislative and execu- tive matters makes him an authority on many subjects. He is steady and con scientious worker. is always in attend ance at the sessions and is hard man to down in a debate. He is generally sure of his facts and possesses a cool head and an equable temper.
 Among some of the other men of influence in the convention might be mentioned ex- Governor Jones. He is always frank in stating his views. He says what he be- lieves to be right, and does not stop to consider whether it is in accordance with the views of the majority or not. He is chairman of the committee on executive department, position he is well quali- fled to fill.
 The Jefferson Delegation.
 The Jefferson County delegation, taken individually and as a body. is as able as