The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-02
JELKS CAMPAIGN OPENS
Both Speakers Declare Con-
StitutiOn is the Issue.
Present Governor Stands for New
instrument Which is Hanging
in Balance-Parallel Drawn
on Record of Two
Candidates.

DR.. r. NJ. Cunningham Of Ensley and
Hon. Eli Shorter of Eufaula addressed
a large audience at McDonald's Theatre
last night in the interest of the candi-
dacy of Governor w. d. Jelks.
The meeting signalized the opening Of
the Jelks campaign in Montgomery coun-
ty. 1t was an enthusiastic meeting ana
the sentiment Of the audience as evil
denced by its applause of the good points
made by the speakers was overwhelm-
ingly in favor of Governor Jelks. 1t was
an appreciative audience and the speak
ers were made to feel that their hearers
were in thorough accord with them.
The audience numbered between five
and six hundred persons. The fact was
noted by those who attended both meet
ing that the crowd which listened to DR..
Cunningham and Mr.. Shorter last night
was of about the same proportion as the
audience which greeted Ex-Governor
Johnston and Hon. Charles E. Waller at
the same theatre last week. AS at the
Johnston meeting the orchestra circle of
the theatre was comfortably filled, with
sprinkling Of listeners in the balcony
and good crowd massed at and stand
ing about the entrance doors of the
theatre.
An unusual but pleasing feature of last
nights meeting was the presence of more
than a score of ladies. They gave the
speakers the closest attention and all sat
throughout the meeting.
Perhaps in all Alabama two more elo-
quent advocates of any cause could not
have been found than the two speakers
who last night argued for the nomin 1tion
and election of Governor Jelks. From
the first the speakers caught the atten-
ton Of their audience and held 1t to the
last.
Mr.. Shorter Captured Audience.
The larger portion of lost nights audi
ence had never heard Mr.. Shorter In his
first speech of the campaign he took
high rank among the States orators. He
Is gifted with the graces of the natural
orator. OF impressive and handsome ap-
pearance he has a full round and mu-
steal voice He speaks earnestly and con-
vincingly and in a dignified manner. In
him Governor Jelks had an able advo-
cate. No man in the State, perhaps,
knows Governor Jelks more intimately
than does Mr.. Shorter. He has been the
personal friend of the Governor since
his boyhood and he Is especially well
qualified to speak of him as a man and
citizen.
Mr.. Shorter portrayed the chracter, the
ability and the qualities of leadership pos
sessed by the State Governor. He pic
tured the success that the Governor had
made of his private business, the intelli
gence and ability that had characterized,
him in private business and public life.
He referred with pride to the splendid
record that the Governor had made in the
office of the Chief Executive. AS to the
Governors private character and admin
istration of public affairs Mr.. Shorter de-
clared that his most vfrulent political
opponent could not cast breath of sus-
picion.
Mr.. Shorter touched upon the issues of
the campaign and paid his respects to
Governor Johnston's unique record on the
question of a new Constitution. He, like
DR.. Cunningham. emphasized the fact
that the leadin gissue of the campaign
was the new Constitution. He decried
third.termism and sarcastically described
the movements of the Johnston forces
that led up to the ex-Governor's an
nouncement.
DR.. Cunningham's speech was pro-
nounced a great campaign effort. He re-
viewed the campaign issues and made
them clear. He. too, eloquently paid his
tribute to the ability, the purity of char
acter and the loyalty of Governor Jelks.
DR.. Cunningham has long been regarded
as one of the best campaign orators in
Alabama, and last night, in the opinion
of his friends. he surpassed all previous
efforts The logical discussion of the is
sues before the people Of Alabama was
frightened by a play of wit and fancy
that captivated his hearers.
Johnston's Record Riddled.
He boldly took the ground that the new
Constitution was the issue in this cam
paign. He riddled the record Of Governor
Johnston on this question and pointed
out that he had more than any one else
fought it's adoption. and now asked to
have it placed in his charge to be amend
ed as he sees fit,
DR.. Cunningham discussed the dispen-
sary Question, saying he had voted for
dispensary in Jefferson County because
$500 voters of that county petitioned him
to do so. He announced himself In favor
of local option, each county to have what
1t preferred.
DR.. Cunningham spoke longer than did
Mr. Shorter.
On the stage with the presiding officer
Hon. Terry Richardson. and the speak
ers, were Charles B. Teasley, c. r. West
colt, Judge John G. Winter, ex-Mayor
John G. Crommelin, NJ. B. Houghtou
J. H. Mcmillan. Dowdall Adams, Will
liam Hobbe, Judge ]. NJ. Carmichael.
Walt Jewell, Major s. T. westcott, j. E.
Worswick, Con Cassidy. Med. CAIN Jr.,
and C. A. Lanier.
The crowd began to assemble in the
theatre a few minutes after o'clock.
From then until Mr.. Richardson arose
to call the meeting to order a steady
stream of people poured into the theatre
In the half hour preceding the speak
ing A crowd of voters stood at the door
and discussed the campaign. In the
Gathering of political takers the senti-
Soent was overwhelmingly in favor of
Governor Jelks. His nomination was
confidently predicted.
The audience that assembled and gave
Its closest attention to the speakers was
an Intelligent one. 1t embraced every
80 of citizenship in Montgomery Coun-
On II was made UP of professional men.
LAWYERS, doctors, dentists, of merchants
clerks, Of laboring men, mechanics, rail-
road employees, mill operators STATE
county and city officials
introduced by Mr.. Richardson.
The speakers were eloquently ana nap