The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-25
OPPOSING HIS OWN RECON
 MENDATIONs.

Times change and men change with them. In the Democratic State Conven- ton of 1899. although the Party was then cpufi nted with the greatest division of it's life, in this State. ex-Governor Joseph F. Johnston was insistent upon a declaration in the platform looking to a Constitutional Convention. He was a member of the Committee, and when declaration in favor of a Constitutional
 Convention was brought in and objected
 to on the floor. this now leader in the
 movement to defeat an infinitely better Constitution than the one we are now
 living under, said, as per report in The Daily Advertiser. June Il, 1892:
 The Committee was unanimous in rec- ommending that section of the report and dustries and wealth made Constitu- tional Convention a necessity; also that the children of the State might be en-
 abled to receive a more thorough educa- MT. Russell, of Mobile, favored concur l renee in the report of the Committee. The call of the counties was demanded, when the vote was ordered. The ballot | ing being completed. 1t was evident that the section had been concurred in bv a
 large majority. There was evident unres. | and dissatisfaction exhibited on every | side. and before the vote was announced, l Governor Watts said he feared the re- l suit and thought the adoption of the
 section would cost the Party 25.0oo votes | fin August.
 MT. Lusk thought it would be dan gerous experiment.
 The members of the Committee on Plat | form consulted and Captain Johnston an- nounced that the Committee. with Che | consent of the Convention, would with draw that section of the report. Permis-
 sion was granted. and 1t was withdrawn. So we find this doughty opponent of
 ratification of Constitution presented to the voters of the State at time when
 there is no divided Democratic Party. in-
 sisting upon a Constitutional Convention
 being made Party matter and incorpo-
 rated in the Party platform at time
 when thousands of It's members were sup porting another ticket.
 l The result of the deliberations of the Committee after withdrawing the section was the reporting and adoption of the | following. which became famous in that
 campaign as Section 1S:
 l We favor the passage of such election | laws as will better secure the government | of the State in the hands of the intelli- gent and virtuOus, and will enable every | eIector to cast his ballot secretly and | without fear or constraint
 l There has not been any less necessity | for a new Constitution from 1892 until | now, and Governor Johnston kept up his | contention for a Convention until and | after he was elected. His first message | to the Legislature in 1896 was strongly | in favor of a Convention The people can judge for themselves why he is now | seeking to defeat the realization of hopes | which he so warmly encouraged, and they will not be long in reaching conclusion
 He Is governed by selfish motives in thus | turning square around and seeking to ! prevent the adoption of a Constitution I which Twill better secure the govern ment of the State by the intelligent and virtuous and will enable every elector to cast a ballot secretly and without | fear or constraint."