The age-herald., 1901-11-09
KNOX CONFIDENT
 OF GREAT VICTORY Leaders of Both Sides Spend
 the Day Here. CONDITION IN THE STATE Democrats Adhere to Claim of 4o,ooo Majority and Anti-Ratification-
 ists Say There Will Be
 25,ooo for Them.
CONDITION IN THE STATE

for ratification of the new constitution were in Birmingham yesterday and last night and both got encouragement at the respective headquarters. Hon. John B. Knox came from Anniston and north Alabama with good tidings for the Dem ocratic campaign committee, and Hon. Jesse F. stallings appeared in the shel- ley headquarters with equally as good news for the other side.
 MT. Knox has made a canvass of half the counties in Alabama, and has done much towards enlightening the people on the various provisions of the new consti- tuition. MT. Knox says he received the most encoura ging reports everywhere and expects a majority for ratification. He will speak in Centreville today.
 MT. stalings says the constitution Is beaten, and that he expects heavy ma- jority in nearly every white county in north Alabama.
 There were several speeches in Jeffer- sor County last night, and Chairman Henry B. Gray says the campaign will be fought to the last ditch. Capt. Frank s. White spoke to a large crowd at Woodlawn. Mayor Drennen spoke at Iron dale and Judge Abernathy and James Leath addressed a good crowd at Avenue B and Thirteenth street.
 Still Making Claims.
 With the last day of the campaign be- fore them both sides in the fight for ratification of the new constitution are making claims of victory.
 The Democratic campaign committee claims a majority of 4000O for the estab- lishment of a new organic law in Ala bama.
 The committee opposed to ratification of the constitution claim they will carry the State by at least 25,00O majority
 It is evident that some one has figured wrong, and both sides claim that the other is not familiar with the situation in the various counties throughout the State
 The leaders of the movement against the new constitution expect their heaviest vote from the white counties in North Alabama, though they have expressed confidence of carrying several of the Southern counties as well. They have COICtuGu llo bldCh pSih aO the regular Democratic organization, but in so doing intimations are made that no matter what the vote may be the count will show up with the same old regularity. General Shelley and his as- sociates expect to carry every one of the twenty counties which voted against the call for a convention and say they are
 
 Among the last named number Is Jeffer- son.
 Conditions in Counties.
 The Democratic Campaign Committee practically conceded Shelby, Chiffon, Marshall and St. Clair counties to the op- position and express apprehension as to Franklin. Clay. Talladega, Butler, Nor gan, Lauderdale and Jackson. They are making a hard fight in these counties and expect to win at least half of them. Con- ditlons in Chiffon and Shelby are said to be such that the situation is hopeless.
 These counties nave always voted an anti Democratic ticket and for years have been controlled by populists and Republi- cans combined. There is heavy negro vote in Chiffon and Shelby and with the white people divided forms a balance of power which is dangerous. This vote has heretofore been controlled by the populists and Republicans and they have consequently been in power. With this negro vote eliminated the Democrats would regain possession of these counties and realizing this the populists leaders have built up a strong opposition to the new constitution. In other counties the same conditions exist on a smaller scale and the advices of ratification say 1t is very hard combination to whip.
 To caIera With Majority.
 Members of MT. Underwood's commit tee say they will certainly go to Calera, which marks the line of North Alabama, with majority and one of them offered to bet any amount from $100 to 5000 that his Judgment was correct. If the new constitution carries the white counties of North Alabama and goes as far south as Calera with majority 1t is generally conceded that opposition will have no chance whatever.
 In east and southeast Alabama the sit- uation Is problematical. There are strong IotCeS at Worh III ldlldpoOSd aSalnSt rat- ification, and the success of the new con- stitution in that county is considered ex- tremely doubtful. In Lee are the head quarters for distribution of anti-ratifica- ton literature, and a stubborn fight is being made by the opposition in Opelika and various places throughout the coun- ty. Both sides claim Lee but the betting is against the new constitution. In Coosa the regular Democratic organization has made great strides and notwithstanding the fact that the county voted against the call, the Democrats feel confident that it will go for ratification. The bet ting odds in Goodwater arc in favor of the new instrument.
 Clay is a hard problem for either side to solve, but if 1t keeps up its past voting record even Democrats admit that 1t may go against ratification. The coun- ty went against the call, but many speeches have been made there since that time, and the advocates of ratification think they have a good fighting chance.
 As to East Alabama.
 Chambers and Randolph are generally conceded to be for the new constitution, and with this showing the Democratic campaign committee expect to leave east Alabama with large majority. Prominent politicians say if east Ala bama goes for ratification, they have no fears as to the state, as the hill coun- ties were claimed as stronghold by the cnnosition