The age-herald., 1901-11-02
JEFFERSON SURE FOR RATIFICATION Friends of New Constitution
 Offer to Bet 5000 THE MONEY IS ON DEPOSIT General Shelley at eessemer and Col. W. H. Denson Delivers Address
 at Ensley-BIbb and
 Madison Safe.
THE MONEY IS ON DEPOSIT

Secretary Parkes of the County Demo- cratic campaign committee says Chair man Henry B. Gray and his co-workers are absolutely sure of success in Jeffer- son county and have made arrangements for a great jollihcation meeting at Mt. Pinson on Wednesday. November 6. The programme includes public speaking and a barbecue dinner and voters are ex- pected from all the surrounding beats.
 Speeches in favor of ratifying the new constitution were heard in all parts of the county last night and reports received at headquarters indicate that Jefferson will cast a thousand majority for the new constitution.
 As an evidence of their confidence some strong advocates of the new constitution left S1000 in the business office of the Age-Herald last night to be wagered that Jefferson county would go for ratification by a thousand majority. This bet is to be made with any person or persons who will deposit a similar amount and take the opposite side of the question. Antis Take Spurt.
 Campaigners opposed to ratification of the new constitution made squirt last night and held meetings at Ensley and Bessemer, large crowds gathering at both places.
 General Charles M. Shelley spoke at Bessemer and as 1t was his first speech during the campaign he was greeted by a good sized audience. The general made a conservative address and attacked the constitution on the grounds laid out in his public announcement which was printed in the daily papers several weeks ago.
 Col. W. IT. Denson spoke 10 a crowd of between $50 and 400 persons at Ensley. The meeting was held in the open air at Eighteenth street and avenue E, and a brass band was engaged for the occa- sion.
 General Shelley will speak at Pratt City tonight, and Scott Chesnutt and L. H. Reynolds are billed to appear at Brook side.
 Among the Democrats supporting the new constitution on speaking tours through Jefferson County are: Hugh Morrow, Frank S. White, C. w. Fergu- son. R. E. Thach, Dr. D. w. Jones' Rob- ert J. Lowe, F. A. Hewitt, ST.. Robert N. Bell, w. M. Drennen.
 Says Bibb Is Democratic.
 Adjutant General W. W. Brandon re- turned from Bibb County yesterday morning and says that county is safe for ratification. He says he spoke to a,crowd of 1000 people at Blocton and was given undivided attention.
 Colonel Brandon would neither confirm or deny the report that he Is candidate for Secretary of State. He admits that he has the matter under advisement, but says he will first have to consult his friends, some of whom are candidates for the same office.
 Madison Is Safe.
 The following special was received by The Age-Herald from Huntsville last night:
 "The ratificationists of Madison county are surprised that so much concern is en- tertained at the headquarters of the State campaign com mittee over the prob- able action of Madison county in the elec- tion of November II. Madison county is no longer in doubt, and 1t is conceded on all sides that the majority that will be returned for the new constitution will be about two thousand votes.
 There has been no Hull in the campaign during the past three weeks. The best speakers are out in the country precincts and have been heard by enthusiastic crowds. Charles P. Lane, editor of the Evening Tribune, Republican, went out on the stump today in favor of the new constitution. Hons. W. w. Brandon and J. Thomas Heflin will reach here tomor- row.
 Congressman Richardson went to Lau- derdale county today to deliver several addresses and will probably also appear in Morgan county before the close of the campaign"