The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-30
SEVEN SPEECHES MADE
Body Will Probably Begin
 Night Sessions.
Delegate Porter, Republican, Tips His Hat to Black Belt Democrats Delegates will Reach
 Vote Today.

Monday was a listless and uninter- esting day in the Constitutional Con- vention. Seven speeches were deliv- cred on the suffrage question and there were times when not more than forty delegates were in the hall. The ora tors yesterday were Messrs. Porter of Coosa. Blackwell of Morgan, Miller of Wilcox. sollie of Dale. Maxwell of Tal- lapoosa. Ashcraft of Lauderdale and Rogers of Lowndes.
 Mr. Porter, who is a Republican, made the only speech against the ma ijority report. He repudiated, however, the charge that the Black Belt coun- ties have sinister motive in support ing the suffrage plan and declared that he tipped his hat to Black Belt Demo- crats who had always accorded him fair treatment as member of the1eg- islature. notwithstanding his political predilection. MT. Sollie announced that at the proper time he would of- fer an amendment extending the tenn porary plan of the Committee two years.
 The speech making will come to a close at the morning session today and a vote will be taken on the question before the Convention recesses for din- ner. The hour for the vote has been fixed at 2:30 o'clock.
 It is probable that the Convention will soon begin having night sessions. A petition for this purpose is being ac- lively circulated and it was said yes terday that 1t will be signed by ma jority of the delegates who now ap- pear anxious to complete the work or the body at the earliest possible mo- ment.
 The fifty-seventh day of the Conven- ion was opened at Ii o'clock yester- day morning with prayer by Rev. B. F.. Marshall of the Perry Street Metho- dist Church, and it was announced that ninety -one delegates were present.
 MT. Williams of Marengo introduced m ordinance to relieve travelling sales men preachers and certain other clti- zens from the requirements Of regis tration under the suffrage plant. The ordinance was referred to the Suffrage Committee. ..t.
 MT. Gilmore of Clarke sent up res- olution providing for tte publication in pamphlet form of the speeches Of sev- eral delegates on the suffrage question. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Printing.
 Mir. Carmichael of Coffee sent up a petition from citizens of Enterprise, re- ouesting the Convention to make pro- vision for election of Railroad Commis- sioners by the people.
 Mir. Porter, the Republican delegate from Coosa was then recognized to speak on the suffrage question. He spoke against the majority report, and said that he was pledged only by his conscience He agreed with other dele- gates that this is white mans coun- try, but believed the negro should have voice in the selection of the white men who are to rule. He paid tribute to the Black Belt Democrats. He had served in the Legislature several terms with them and had been accorded fair ness. notwithstanding his political views. ....
 MT. Porter read his address from manuscript, and it was especially tenn perate.
 Mir. Blackwell of Morgan was the next sneaker and he made fine ad- dress in support of the majority re- mort. He believed the report of the committee was an observance of the instructions received by delegates from thir party. He believed he was one of the youngest Confederate soldiers liv- Ing. having been in Federal prison when 15 years old He .extolled the sol- dier clause and said the franchise should be extended to the fighting men of every country. It is necessary to improve conditions in Alabama. The Convention is due this much to mothers of Alabama that they may raise honest boys.
 MT. Miller of Wilcox followed Mir. Blackwell in clear and forcible argu- ment in support of the majority re- port He took un constitutional suf- frage laws and declared that the re- port of the committe is the best that can be framed under the conditions. The temporary plan would not be good If it was to be permanent but when its good was accomplished it would be put aside. Federal soldiers are to en- joy the same privilege under the plan as Confederate soldiers Negro sol- dirs are also included. There were three doors to the suffrage. The elect or could be a soldier. a descendant of A soldier or a man of good character. He elaborated these qualifications and was speaking when at 1 o'clock the Convention adjourned until S:30 o'clock