The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Frank N. Julian Refutes the Charges
 of HefIin.

The following letter has been sent broadcast over the state during the past two days:
 Lafayette, Ala, August 21, 1902. Editor Florence Times, Florence, Ala:
 Dear Sir-Mr. James L. Tanner of Bir- mingham informs me that the Florence Times of last week contains a card from MT. Frank N. Julian, candidate for sec Ietary of state, setting out in substance that he was especially fitted for clerical work, also laying claims to superior fit- ness for the office of secretary of state It will be remembered that MT. Julian was assistant clerk of the house of repre- sentatives in 1898 snd 1899 and had to do particularly with the record or the jour nal of said house. when the revenue law. rsssed ir 1898 and 1899, was being assailed on the ground that it was unconstitu- tional by reason of the fact that a cer- tain conference report on the senate amendments to the bill as it passed the house was never concurred in by the kcuse in the manner required by the con stttution and on account of matter being in the law that had really never been voted on by the house. The law was de- els red unconstitutional and cost the state many thousands of dollars. The journal on which MT. Julian had occasion to show his superb qualifications as a cleri- cal man was prCOucGQ III Ln0 supreme court as evidence when the constitution ality of the revenue law was being test ed In the brief submitted to the supreme court by Loniat, Crum & Well, Governor Jcnes ard Charles P. Jones we find the following criticism on the journal: Had no shape and but little form etc." Is crazy quilt patchwork of writing. some in ink, some In blue pencil, some in ordinary pencil rasted slips of votes and other writing, is, in fact, a thing of shreds and patches, which, happening 10 be signed by the speaker and clerk, Is sought to have dtgnified ny this court by being set up as that solemn record of the pr oceedirgs of the house which the constitution commands the lawmaking power to keep. If the practice here at tempted to be justified receives the ap- rroval of the court, 1t illustrates and de- feats this great design of the framers of the constitution and opens wide the 6oor for uncertainty and confusion, and incites temptation to tamper with and change the most important of all public records.o Judge Haralson of the supreme court, in his opinion, said this concerning the Journal What claims, let 1t be asked, has the batch of papers before us to be declared the journal of the house? It is as unsubstantial as wanting in du- rapility, convenience and quality as a journal of legislative proceeding as can
  pages are not numbered and 1t is diffi- cult of handling and examination; is not in proper documentary shape, even for filing, etc."
 These quotations cen be found in 126, Alabama Reports; case cited on page 425.
 (Please publish above)
 Yours very truly,
 J. THOS. HEFLIN.
 The above letter is teing circulated ex- tensively throughout the state. I most emphatically deny being responsible In any way for the mistake in the journal of the house of representatives, 1S98-s9, and pronounce the charges contained in the above absolutely false.
 I respectfully ask all fair-minded peo- rle of the state to recent this attempt to defame my char acter in the closing hours cf this campaign, when have no oppor- tunity to refute same.
 To substantiate my statement I re- spectfully refer, with his consent all who wish to know the truth, to the clerk of the house of the session of 1S9S-9s.
 Very respectfully,
 FRANK N. JULIAN. sss Candidate for Secretary of State.