The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-07
THE STATE COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD IN BIRMIN6-
 HAM YESTERDAY.
Most Encouraging Reports from All Over the State are Heard-The Antis Still Pretend to
 Be Confident.

Birmingham, Nov. s.-(special. .)-Th' State Democratic Campaign Commites held a meeting here today and more thar three-fourths of the members of the com mittee were on hand. The meeting wal behind closed doors. Chairman Upder' wood announced that he had called the meeting for the purpose of considering the condition of affairs and discuss the situation looking to the wind-up of the campaign. Present were the following members: Chairman, O. W. Underwood B. F. Elmore of Demopolis; George W. Jones of Montgomery: B. A. Thompson, Birmingham: Jones G. Moore. Birming. ham; Congressman John l.. Burnett Gadsden; J. H. Nathan, Sheffield: E. K. Campbell. Birmingham; A.. M. Tunstall, Greensboro; w. T. Sanders of Athens; Hon. John V. Smith of Scale: John c. Pugh, Birmingham. secretary. The members of the committee made reports as to conditions in their respective dis tricts and gave opinions as the result. The meeting lasted a couple of hours.
 Hon. B. F. Fillmore state din head quarters that all counties of the Firs, Congressional District could be counted upon for ratification with the exception of Choctaw and in that county there was a chance. He reported that W. H. Lind say, Circuit Court Clerk in Choctaw, wht was against the ratification at the start was now favoring it and was doing noble work on the stump in its behalf. He further reported that good majorities could be expected from the counties in the First District.
 Congressman John L. Burnett reported that some hard and telling work was be- ing done in the Seventh Congressional District and that while all of the coun- ties comprising the county might not go for ratification there would be surprising maiorities sent in for it in more than two.
 Hon. George w. Jones of Montgomery, reported some active work being done in Montgomery County. He stated that clubs for ratification were being formed and Montgomery itself had one of the largest clubs in the State. Committees will be appointed at once. he said. to bring out the vote on Monday and pro- nounced majority in favor of ratification could be looked for.
 Mir. J. H. Nathan of Sheffield. said that Colbert County had always done well and in this instance a good majority for rati- hcation could be looked for.
 Several other good reports were made in the meeting.
 In Jefferson County Chairman Henry B. Gray reports much progress being
  favor of ratification.
 There will be an interesting time in Bessemer, this county, tomorrow night. Richard II. Clarke of Mobile Is booked to speak in behalf of ratification. and Colonel W. H. Denson Is going to speak against ratification. Efforts are being made to bring about a joint debate be- tween the two men. If this should not be arranged the two meetings will be most interesting. one to be held at Rebie Hall and the other in the City Hall.
 A great fight Is being made in Besse- mer. The anti-ratifcationists are work ing a plea that the new constitution will forever prevent a new county being form ed for that part of Jefferson County and the people of Bessemer have their minds set on that end.
 It is given out by the anti-ratification- ists. that Congressman Jess Stallings will speak at East Lake Friday night and at Brookside on Saturday night. General Shelley will speak also in this county Friday and Saturday nights while Colonel Denson will also be heard in the county this week.
 Lee Cowart, chairman of the anti-ratifi- cation committee in Jefferson County says that the constitution will be defeated in this county five to one.