The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-10
WILL VOTE ON MONDAY
NEW CONSTITUTION BEFORE THE
PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.
Democrats OF Opinion Ii Will BE Rati-
fled and Negroes Thereby Prac-
ticaIIy DISTINGUISHED.

MONTGOMERY. Ala, Nov. 9.-Monday
the citizens of Alabama will vote for the
ratification or the rejection of the Consti-
tutor formulated by the recent constitu-
tional convention. For several weeks q
warm campaign has been waging and the
people have been fully Informed as TO the
provisions OF the proposed Instrument.
The calling OF the constitutional conven-
ton was u measure Of the Democratic
party, but on the question OF ratification
neither the Democrats nor the Republicans
drew party lines. Many prominent Repub-
licans favor the adoption of the new or
ganic law, while many influential Demo-
Gratis are opposing it. The proposed Consti-
tuition has for its main purpose the dis
franchisement of the negro and at the same
time to leave the ballot in the hands OF
every white man in the State. The advo-
Gates Of the new instrument say that this
will be brought about by the adoption OF
the proposed Constitution. 1t provides for
a lieutenant governor, increases the terms
OF state officers to four years, lowers the
limit of taxation and makes many other
changes from the fundamental law under
which the State is now being governed.
The main fight on the Constitution has
been on the registration system and the
suffrage clause. 1t is claimed by the OPP
position to the new instrument that many
white men Will be DISTINGUISHED, as the
registrars nave too much power and can
register or reject voters at their Will. This
is denied by leaders Of the ratification
movement.
Congressman o. w. Underwood, chairman
of the Democratic campaign committee ana
49, nl~,A.r,tfa x-hfp of tho national HnnCG
of Representatives. made the following
statement tonight:
There are forty-two counties in Ala
bama that I am absolutely confident OF car
rying for the ratification of the new Consti-
tuition. IN the list is included all of the
larger counties III the State. There are
eighteen counties in which the result IS
very doubtful, and i'm any OF which l do
not believe the majority viii be more than
Loo or 20O- either way. There are six coun-
ties in the State that we have no eXpecta-
tiOns of carrying, and in two or three of
which the Democratic party has been given
no representation in the polls, and we are
unable to predict what the result will be In
these counties. But, cOnceulng them TO the
opposition TO the full extent of their VOt-
ing population according TO the census,
they cannot come anywhere near affecting
the large majOrities we will have from the
other counties in the State. There are a
large number of negro votes in what are
known as the white counties in north Ala
bama. The information that L have received
from all parts indicates that the opposition
to the ratification of the new Constitution
is endeaVoring to get this vote 10 the polls
on Monday. | do no think the negroes
among themselves are disposed to take
lively interest in the matter, but If the
opposition succeeds in voting them it will
reduce our majority, but even with this
vote solidly against us j cannot conceive of
anything to happen TO reduce our majority
to less than 5000. If the opposition fails TO
get out the full strength of the negroes in
north Alabama our majority will probably
run above 10000"
and are taking sides with the opposing fac
lions of Democrats. The opposition to the
new Constitution claim q majority Of 10000.