The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-09
REPORTS TO UNDERWOOD
Indicate a Large Majority for
 the New Constitution.
Jefferson County Certain to Endorse the New Instrument-The Tactics of the Opposition Have
 Proven Unavailing.

Birmingham, Nov. S.-(Special.)-At the headquarters of the State Democratic Campaign Committee it is stated that the decks are now being cleared for &C., ton and everything being put in readi- ness for the election on Monday. Re- turns will be received at headquarters and there are no doubts about the suc- cess of the fight for ratification.
 Hon. Richard H. Clarke's speech at Bes- semer last night made many friends for the cause of ratification. It was a mas terful presentation of the situation and of the prospects of the State after the adop- tion of the new instrument He was given a respectful hearing.
 Gen. c. M. Shelley, chairman of the committee opposed to ratification, spoke in Woodlawn last night and the state ment Is made that there were not more than thirty people in the hall where the speaking took place.
 The desertion from the ranks of the anti-ratif3cationists of Scott E. Chestnut, the young orator, who has been doing some hard work on the stump against ratification, who gave out a strong letter
  ing the new Constitution and doing all he could for its ratification because he had discovered that it meant white supremacy for the State, has given a strong card to the ratificationists in Jefferson County:
 Chestnutt's card follows:
 Birmingham, Ala, Nov. 6, 1901. gro The Birmingham News:
 Having been on the stump for the past thirty days against ratification of 10 VAd hox xyfy1ev aaf tFr joint debate Congressman Thompson, ex- Congressman Cobb. Mayor Drennen of Birmingham, Colonel Garber of Tallade- ga, Hon. William H. Stanley of Birming- ham. and having spoken from the same platform with all the standardization speakers. I desire to state that I have changed my opinion in reference to this grave question, and shall give my vote and my influence from this time on in favor of ratification of the Constitution.
 q believe the opposition to the Constitution depends very largely, If not entirely, upon the negro vote for their strength, and am not willing, being a young man and my future before me, to tie myself up with such influence. deem it noth- ing but right and proper, as I have delivered more speeches than any other person against ratification, that I should make this statement public and make it plain.
 "I thought when I first went into the fight that the white people were divided; but I have become more fully convinced after going almost entirely over the Sts tc of Alabama and in every nook and corner in Jefferson County, that the white people are in favor of ratification, and
 ufo fall with the negro; consequently wish to be on the side of white supremacy, and shall do everything can to correct and undo what harm. if any, have done in the State by speaking against ratifjca- ton by working hard from this time for ward for the new Constitution.
 Yours very truly,
 Scott E. Chestnut"
 The strong phalanx of speakers in the field for ratification will work hard for the balance of the week. and tomorrow mcrning the grand wind-up occurs. Re- ports received at headquarters are to the effect that the strong opinion held the first of the week as to the final result Is still on and that there are but few coun- ties in the State which will speak out against ratification. Jefferson Coun- ty is practically certain for ratification. is the information that is given cut and in the headquarters of the campaign com mittee the assertion is made that there will not be five beats to go against the new instrument in the county.
 Lee Cowart's circular or hand-bill call ing on the people to vote against the rati- fication is being distributed throughout the county, but 1t is not believed that 1t will have much effect The hand-bill pur- ports to give twenty reasons why the new instrument should be defeated. It states that 10000 white men will be disfranchised but mentions nothing whatsoever con- cerning the pledge of the Democratic party that no white man should be kept from exercising the right to vote. The hand-bill closes with the following: "Quit your work, go to the election, cast your vote against this dangerous scheme, which Is intended to disfranchise you and your children and remain at the polls, and see that a fair election Is held and fair count made. If this Constitution is adopted. it will deprive thousands of you rinrN,f in ha ft1ttI