The age-herald., 1901-10-15

for, and tho right of, this committee to
 issue this address.
 Democratic Delegates.
 There were 155 members of the consti-
 tutional convention. Nearly or quite nine
 tenths of the members were lifelong
 Democrats The deliberations of the con
 vention extended over three months; the fullest and freest discussion obtained in
 it's sessions. and the new constitution is
 the result of the most arduous and pa-
 tient labor and deliberation. The cost of
 the special election last year upon the | call for convention and the expense of
 the convention itself will, of course, be lost if the people vote against the rati- 1 flcation.
 Character Has Weight. Included in the Democratic majority in the convention were men who had filled the most exalted stations in thestate; men who have been the honored and trust ed leaders of the people in the past; men of distinction in the professions; men who had fought for Alabama in the war be- tween the states; men prominent in the affairs of life in peace in their several communities, and representing every ma terial interest in the state; men of sub stance and property holders; men of the Christian faith, who appreciated the high duty, which devoives on citizen called upon to frame an organic law for his state; men of unblemished character in public and private life; men who are hon est and fearless-such were the kind of men that made up the Democratic major ity. No abler or more patriotic body than these ever met for such purpose in any state. They have framed the new consu- tuition, and keeping their pledge to do so, have submitted to it. If 1t be ratified these men and their children must live, enjoy liberty and pursue happiness under I 1t. And we point to the high characters of I the men who framed the instrument as an evidence that they would not submit l to the people an unworthy constitution. k~Comparison Invited of Old and New. In addition however, we invite care 1 full study of the instrument itself. It has been published and is being given the widest publicity and distribution. It is great improvement on, and Is, therefore a better constitution than the present one. A careful reading of 1t will convince the voters of its merits, and we urge that it be read; and especially that its pro- visions be consulted and compared with the present constitution before the state uments of the opposition to 1t be accepted. Needed Correction.
 l It must be remembered that the very purpose in framing a new constitution is to correct deficiencies In and objections
 to the old, and that if the present consti- 1 tution were perfect we would not need to change it.
 I The very men who are now leading the l opposition to ratification have, on former f,and comparatively late occasions, admit ,ted and urged that the present constitu- I tion needed alteration and amendment, ' and especially have they advocated and urged that the suffrage plan of the pres ent constitution needed amendment. Some Beneficial Changes. \ It is not our purpose to make an elab- l crate argument upon the several changes | made by the new constitution nor to at tempt an enumeration of all of them. ! Among the more beneficial, however, we l may mention that the new constitution will effect the following;
 1. A reduction of the state tax rate | from 75 cents to 65 cents on the $100. 1 2. A much larger donation to. and pro- vision for the public schools. The new | constitution provides that nearly one | half of the taxes levied and collected | by the State, shall go to the support of | the public schools and enjoins upon the Legislature the increase of this fund, | from time to time as the States revenue may admit. This fund will increase as tax values increase. It also allows the | several counties to levy a special tax of
 ten cents on the $1O0 upon the vote of 1 three-ifths of the voters of the county. l The old constitution appropriates about l 100,00000 to the public school fund, and
 the new constitution appropriates about
 sSOO.OOOOO without increase of taxation.
 8. A reduction in the number, and fre-
 quency of elections. The executive off,
 cers of the State are to be elected every
 four years, instead of every two years,
 as now, and State and Federal elections
 are to be held at the same time As
 precaution, however, against any evil
 that may come or portend, from holding
 these elections at the same time the
 Legislature is authorized to change the
 time of the State elections, if found nec-
 essary or eXpedient.
 1. Under our present Constitution, when
 ever a vacancy occurs in any judicial of flee 1t is filled by appointment of the gov
 ernor, whose appointee holds for the bal
 ance of the unexpired term. The new
 constitution provides that wnere the va
 cancy occurs more than six months prior
 to a general election, the people shall
 elect the successor at that election.
 B. Provision is made for the election by
 the people of Circuit Solicitors, who, un-
 der the present constitution, are elected
 by the Legislature.
 6. The hitherto unlimited power of the