The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1901-05-22
John B. Knox Named for
President and Frank Julian
For Secretary
SOME OLD FIGHTS REHASHED
fhe McKinzie-WilIiams Contest From
Elmore Is Aired, and as a Result
Williams Is Ruled Out of the
Democratic Caucus.

convention to revise and amend the con-
stitution of Alabama convened in the hall
of the House of Representatives in the
capitol at noon today and held session
lasting through forty-seven minutes.
No work was attempted by the conven-
tion other than to enroll the delegates
and swear them in. This duty had been
imposed upon Chief Justice Mcclellan by
the enabling statute and the work was
performed without useless ceremony The
convention met in a business-like manner
and its session was certainly character
lied by strictly business transactions At
the session tomorrow permanent organ
ization will be affected, and will then be
ready for business.
The Democratic caucus did not experi-
ence much trouble in making nominations
for the convention officers Not more
than two ballots were required In any
contest.
For president, Hon. John B. Knox was
without opposition, and his nomination
was mere matter of FORM Frank Julian
won In the contest for secretary, and
Robert Hasson for doorkeeper. The eau
Gus lasted through six hours.
Much of the time was consumed by a
hot debate upon the question of adding
E. A. Williams of Elmore to seat in
the caucus. Williams was excluded.
Compliment to Lowe.
A beautiful compliment was paid Hon.
Robert j. Lowe of Jefferson To-Day in his
unanimous selection to preside over the
Democratic caucus At preliminary eau
Gus of some leaders this morning 1t was
decided to make Gen. George P. Harrison
chairman of the caucus, but when this
fact became generally known, there was
some dissension among the delegates,
many Of them claiming that General Har-
rison had recently been bolter from the
Democratic party.
They began search for another canai--
date and when 1t was offered Mr.. Love-
friends did not heed. and when his name
was presented to the caucus the honor
cams to him by the unanimous vote Of
the members.
Convention Called to Order.
It was precisely 12 o'clock when Justice
Mcclellan ascended to the speakers
stand. AS he dropped the gavel he said:
1.-THE house win please be in order. Del
egates to the convention will please be
seated. Gentlemen. this is the time and
place fixed for the assembling of the dele
gates who have been elected to revise and
amend the constitution of the State. The
enabling statute confers the honor and
makes 1t the duty of the chief justice of
the State of Alabama to preside over the
convention until a temporary organiza-
and having in mind that possibly all Of
the delegates might not have certificates
to enroll as delegates, have secured from
the Secretary of State copy under the
great seal Of the State. will call the
roll of delegates, and they. will please
come forward and enroll their names
upon the pages of the register prepared
for this purpose"
Justice Mcclellan asked Secretary Of
State Robert P. McDavid to act as secre-
ftary of the convention, and the Chief
Justice, in clear tone, called the first
name in alphabetical order: I'd. G. AL
mon"
John Burns of Dallas.
I The call of the roll proceeded slowly
without interruption until the name of
John b. Burns was called, but the name
of this veteran was the signal for an out
burst of applause, coming from almost
every member in the hall. Captain Burns
is from Dallas, and he served in the con-
Wention of 1876. He acknowledged the
courtesy of his fellow members by bow
ing.
I The name of former Governor Thomas
C. Jones was the next of the delegates
cheered. Colonel Jones went to the desk
of secretary with the assistance of his
crutches. which he has been forced to
use since the accident which befell him
.asome few weeks ago. The calling of the
FOR enthusiastic applause lasting until
Mr.. Knox had registered his name. The
names of Tennent Lomax, Robert ].
Lowe, Joel D. Murphee, Geoge p. Har-
,rison, William C. Oates. James Weather
Nv, Frank s. White. Gesner Williams.
Massie Wilson were also cheered when
called.
X When the roll was completed Chief Jus
ttice Mcclellan announced that all of the
l55 delegates had enrolled their names.
and he then administered the oath to the
members In a body.
Gen. George P. Harrison moved that in
!, view Of the fact that large majority of
!. the members of the convention were
I Democrats and that caucus of Demo-
Gratis was to be held during the day for
i The nomination Of officers. that adjourn