The age-herald., 1901-12-06
Political Gossip from Capital

Montgomery, December 5.-(speciaL)- The capital city is pleased with visitors this week, and strange as it may seem there are but very few politicians among them Today there are probably two thousand strangers in the city. coming from every nook and corner in the State. and representing the States very best citizenship. But they have not gathered here to discuss political question and very large majority of them are novices in politics. They have come to attend the Masonic and good roads conventions.
 There are a few among the visitors who are willing to talk politics." how ever, and very naturally the question most discussed is the possibility for the new Johnston Shelley organization to gain control of State affairs. The few men from different sections of the State with whom the correspondent of The Age-Herald discussed politics seemed rather optimistic with regard to the con tinuance in power of the present ring If ring" it may be termed The idea that the negro votes furnished the ma jorities against the constitution in near ly all of the white counties furnishing such majorities is deeply instilled in the minds of many close students of census figures. These same men go further and contend that when these black ballots are eliminated from the electorate of the State under the provisions of the new constitution that very large per cent age of the strength of the antis, as shown in the recent election, is taken away.
 
 A very close student of political affairs who is one of the most prominent men in the middle-easteTn counties in the State, made some very sensible suggestions last night while discussing the outlook with a leader from the black belt.
 There are but two chances for the Shelley combination to suc- ceed." said the East Alabamian. Ut rests with the men now in power to con- trol these conditions. The first chance lies in the full carrying into effect of the spirit of the franchise clauses. The white men in our section of the State who have voted for the new constitution have been told that it will rid us of the negro vote, and hundreds voted with us solely upon this proposition. Now, if a single black belt county fails to carry this promise into effect, and place countless negroes upon the registration list, we are hopelessly lost. The honest white voters would be made to desert us in droves. Now, I do not expect to see this condi- tion arise, as I am frank to believe that Governor Jelks, Commissioner Poole and Auditor Sowell will appoint only such men as county registrars as will faith fully perform their duty. But this ques- ton disposed of there arises another. The new constitution provides that only qualified electors may participate in par ty primaries conventions, beat meetings, etc. Every thinking man knows that the electorate of the State is to be greatly abridged under the new franchise law. The ignorant and malicious negro vote will be cut out and as a matter of course some whites will not be registered, or if registered, will disfranchise themselves by failure to pay a poll tax. The antis are, in nay opinion, looking for some ex- cuse to quit the present organization, and they are coming before the State Demo- cratic executive committee asking for a primary to nominate a State ticket. Should the committee refuse to order a primary the Johnston-Shelley bunch will pull out of the party then and there. and am here to tell you that they will be enabled to do lot of devilment, too. The thing for our committee to do Is to order a primary election to take the place of the accustomed State convention. With a higher and more intelligent electorate we should deal honestly with each other and give to every voter equal strength in the selection of candidates. This will