The age-herald., 1901-10-11
ID NOT RECOGNIZE
 GENERAL SHELLEY Chairman Underwood Replies to
 Primary Proposition HOW ABOUT REPUBLICANS2 Mr. Underwood Asks What Right the Chairman of Anti-RatIficatlonlsts Has to Speak for Them-Gen.
 Shelley VIII Reply.
HOW ABOUT REPUBLICANS2

MT. Underwood and the campaign com mittee of the regularly organized Democ- racy do not recognize Gen. Charles M Shelley as the official head of all the white men in Alabama opposed to the ratification of the new constitution re- gently framed at Montgomery. They only recognize General Shelley as chairman of the committee formed in Birmingham some time ago, and in answer to propo- sition to submit the question of ratifica- tion to white primary MT. Underwood has written the following letter: Headquarters Democratic State Campaign Committee.
 Gen. c. M. Shelley, City:
 Dear Sir-I am in receipt of a letter dat ed October T. 1901, purporting 10 De a proposition to submit the question or the ratification or rejection of the new ccnsii- tuition to a primary elechon. In which all legal white voters in the State are to be permitted to participate. signed by you and six other gentlemen. and which was handed to me on the Stn. after its publi- cation in the morning paper
 Your letter Is addressed to me as Chairman of the Committee for Ratih- oation," instead of chairman "f she Dem ocratic State Campa:ga Committee.
  mittee met and appointed Democratic State Campaign Committee to conduct a campaign in favor of the ratification of the new constitution. This was known to you, and this campaign committee Is the only committee of which I am chairman. This Democratic State Campaign Com mittee having been called to meet on next Monday, I will after that meeting give you a reply.
 As you propose primary in which all white voters may participate, I deem 1t not improper to inquire, so that the Dem ocratic State Campaign Committee may be advised of 1t when 1t meets what, if any authority you have to represent any other voters than yourselves. and espe- cially what authority you have to speak for the white Republicans in the State. who by the terms of your letter would be allowed to participate ir the proposed pri mary? Very respectfully
 O. w. UNDERWOOD, Chairman Democratic State Campaign Committee.
 "Antis" Are lrritated.
 The standardization leaders were con- siderably irritated over the tone of the letter from MT. Underwood, and 1t is a spirited reply today.
 General Shelley would not discuss the matter until he had delivered the reply to MT. Underwood, but he said that he meant no discourtesy to the chairman of the. Democratic committee. He explained that he addressed MT. Underwood as chairman of the committee for ratifica- tion to distinguish him from the commit tee of Democrats opposed to ratification. of which he Is the official head.
 While discussing the campaign, General Shelley said that he was more positive than ever of the success of his move ment, and that he had assurances that Jefferson County would vote against the new constitution.
 MT. Underwood said that his letter fully explained his position, and there was little he could add to the express sions contained in the communication. He could say nothing further until his committee had met and considered the proposition.
 It is understood that MT. Underwood s committee will not take up the matter until General Shelley has stated if he has any authority by which he can bind 
 this question is answered by the chair man of the anti-ratiicationists there may be a white primary in Alabama to pass upon the new constitution but in all probability no such election will be held.
 Primary Not Feasible.
 A prominent supporter of the new con stitution advanced the theory last night that a primary would not be feasible as the votersi would not have sufficient time to consider the question. He argued that 1t has been customary in Alabama for sew eral generations to give thirty days mo- tice of an election. and this could not be done in this inst ance as the election will be held November Il.
 While the Shelley proposition and the Underwood answer are the principal top ics of conversation around the Aeadquar- ters of the two committees, campaign work is rapidly increasing. Thousands of papers and campaign documents are being mailed daily and reports from va rious parts of the state show that in- terest in the fight is growing.
 Henry B. Gray, chairman of the coun- ty campaign committee and Secretary Parke are actively at work The county organization of the anti-ratificalionists will be completed Monday and Lee V. Cowart will be named as chairman.