The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-08
PROPOSAL TO UNDERWOOD
Opponents of New Constitution
 Want White Primary.
Call for Meeting of Republican Com nittee Follows Action of Antis. Attendance Disappointing and
 Several Speeches Made.

Birmingham, Oct. 7-(speciaA'-Ane ne ladders of the anti-ratihcation movement held a meeting of their Campaign Com mittee here today and launched their c.unaien fin Jefferson County tonight .,,th a rally at Seals Hall. The meet ,ns or the committee resulted in a propo- sition to Chairman Underwooo hor white primary to be held the saturoay hefore the regular election to determihe how white men shall vote on the new constitution. Chairman Underwod had not received a copy of the proposition at last account tonight and therefore can not reply to 1t.
 The rally was almost a failure since It attracted less than 300 persons. many Of whom went out of curiosity as was eVi- denced by the presence of considerapie number of we'll known and ardent raun- cationists. The general conclusion one gathers from the days developments Is that the opponents of ratification. are weak and realize that fact and are seek ing already to make terms with the reg,,lar Democrats which will relieve them from the embarrassing position Tn which they find themselves
 s,pniacant fact in connection with today's conference is that its action was followed quickly by call from State Chairman Vaughan of the Repuphcan Committee for his committee 10 meet here Monday to begin the Repupncan war on the new constitution. The call was not sent out until this evening and .asormation of 1t had only reached the newspaper men late tonight
 The attendance embraced quite mum her of prominent men. among those being nresent were the following: w. H. Bart lett. Marshall County; J. M. Fosnee' Conecuh; Colonel S. E. Wilson. Marion; Cantain James Crook, Calhoun; Blpo Srsves Montgomery; D. K. Middleton. I.owndes: Circuit Clerk A. Douglass, I'owndes: D. A. Mccall. Lowndes; P. c. / Gtea9all. Dale; Ex-Senator HaI Jackson; M D Maske. Jefferson; V. Lee Cowart Jefferson: J. A PrestwOod, Covington; | DeB. Hooper, Jefferson; D. w. Walte' St. Clair; M. W. Whatley. Clay; W. H. benson. Jefferson; Judge A. E. Canee, Iargerson. w. T. Terry, Jefferson; A. M. Prude. East Lake; B. T. Phillips, Lee; F M Pankay, Montgomery; H. M Will son. Lee: T. F. Hudman, Lee; L. Il. Key roIds Chiffon: P. O. Stevens. Tallapoosa; Edward Flynn, Birmingham; F. B. Moody. Tuscaloosa; E. B. kirkorioe' Mobile; l. G. Waite, Jenerson' L Cook' Cook Springs; R. P. Wetmore' birH,ns Greever, Birmingham; rat U f'afe' 'eA ferson.
 When General Shelley called the meet ing to order he suggested that there be an informal interchange Of views peIore proceeding to organization. lie stated that he had been agreeably surprlseo Dy such a large attendance. lie ueclareu that the adoption of the new Constitution meant farewell to American citizenship and nolitical liberty His friends, he said. had told him not to oppose the new Constitution as it is going to be adopted anyhow, by fraud. if necessary. Ihls IS no ordinary election, he asserted. IL IS not one for special candidates whose terms expire in a short time. This election is for an organic law whicn IT once lasten ed on us we cannot get rid of. The new constitution insures a perpetuation of fraud. he continued. We would be un- true to American freedom, he said If we failed to resist it's encroachment on the liberties transmitted to us by our fore fathers. Our liberties are dear to us, he declared. The new constitution gives insidious powers to encroach upon our political body We cannot afford to allow this to be done, notwithstanding jingling band wagons and attacks on private characters. The party whip should not control us, neither the office hunters in their band wagon. Their band wagon leads to the grave of liberty We have nc newspapers therefore let us go to the belfry of liberty and ring the bell until all the people hear and are warned. This declaration brought forth loud applause.
 A minister of the gospel, the speaker said had told him that he was ready to take his gun and march to another con- fIict of the new constitution was adopted by fraud General Shelley closed amid much applause.
 Col. Wilson Ready to Fight.
 Colonel S. E. Wilson of Marion County, said: 'I stand on the Kansas City plat from until my party adopts another one. Ratificationists are lodging the question bringing up personal matters. The ques- tion is the merits of the new constitution The people are rallying around Shelley, Marion County will give 800 to 1000 against ratification. Franklin commen- surate majority and Fayette good one"
 At this juncture some one asked: How about Bankhead?"
 MT. Wilson replied: 'Bankhead will stay at those springs, if he knows what side has bread is buttered on." This produced laughter.
 The speaker went on to say that the Constitution makers promised to disfran- chise the negro, but didn't do 1t; they promised to enfranchise the white man and didn't do that. They won't allow us inspectors. but this election is to be held under the present Constitution, and we have a right to inspectors and a contest. If we can't get them any other way, we have thought of revolution. l am n years old and went four years to the war. I am ready to shoulder that gun again and march to the defense of our liberty. (Great applause). I see no ne- groes here nor men with the instincts of negroes. I want Stallings to get after that little fellow. Bill Brandon, and wiring his neck. Applause).
 Hon. F. S. Moody of Tuscaloosa, said that he thought the good attendance a Rood auR1Iry He hanaved that # meant