The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-27

| business matters in Henry county that day. While if present, might not agree to all the conference might do or pro- pose to do. I am never averse to confer
 ring with any of my fellow citizens as to l any measure of unproposed public pol
 icy, and with you, my old Confederate | comrade and a Democratic colleague iu | Congress, I am always ready to confer | and talk freely on any topic at any time
 or place that is practicable.
 You are certainly fairly familiar with | my record in the Convention which fram- ed the new Constitution. and hence any reference to that in this letter would be out of place.
 I have read in the newspapers your statements and Governor Johnston s concerning the methods, 1t Is said, by which the new Constitution was rati- fled. If these allegations be true. the methods were disgraceful and should be condemned by every good citizen. I am unalterably opposed to election frauds and ballot box stuffing of ev- cry kind, and character. It Is not the rule of the people or of the voters, but the rule of the mob, the lawless, which saps the very foundation of our sys- tenn of government, State and Federal. What is the use of holding an election for officers for any purpose, if few men skilled in the count or in stuffing the boxes. can change the result and thwart the will of the people? That is the rule of the corrupt and purchasable bosses. It was just such practices that destroyed the magnificent republic of Rome.
 Dishing Out Offices.
 The only sure perpetuation of honest republican institutions and truly repre- sentative government, is for the people to a-l. md ningly devised sche mes to dish out the off, fic>s to particular favorites who bring or send up the largest counts from their counties, etc. The new Constitution has been declared ratified and now let the people of all political parties see to it that there is no more fraudulent voting or counting and returning of votes which were never cast, and that both primary and regular elections are honestly held. and whoever receives the requisite num- Der of votes shall be declared elected. Prosecute every man who attempts a raud of any kind and dishonesty will dis appear.
 Brother Shelley, let us go into the pri- maries with our old Democratic friends for fair and honest methods throughout, and make the reform thorough, reward no man with an office for dirty work and not elect a man to office who is unfit be- cause he has button holed us at every corner; but find the most worthy and best qualified whether they be candidates or not; and then we will soon forglt the minor objections to the new Constitu-' ton, q all be full Of joy that We have gotten back to the honest ways and meth ods our father before the days of re- construction and universal manhood suf- frage which came with 1t. The Constitu- ton cannot itself, proprio vigore, make men honest and honorable and elevate the State and it's institution. It all depends at last upon the virtue, courag, intelligence and patriotism of the people. Let them all be watchful of their liberties, condemn and denounce corruption in high places and in low places, and extibit true pride in our State and it's honor, and all will be well. Let all with pride exclaim: AM AN ALABAMIAN!. Your friend,
 William c. Oates.