The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-09
Letters to The Editor.
FRIENDS OF THE CONSTITUTION
Should Vote for Governor Jelks, Its
 Advocate and Supporter.

Editor The Advertiser
 The able and eloquent speech of John B. Knox at Birmingham few evenings ago was the keynote to the issues invOlv- ed in this years gubernatorial contest.
 The election of man who is friendly to the new Constitution is the great question now before the people of Alaba- ma-Governor Jelks stands for the new instrument and for all that it represents, stands upon it with both feet and in dorses in toto all it's provisions. Governor Jelks seeks not ''Vindication' but an in dorsement of his administration at the hands of the Democratic Party. He has made faithful, capable and efficient of ficial and there Is no valid reason why the people of Alabama should not nomi- nate and elect him to the executive chair. l believe I voice the sentiment of thou sands when 1 say that both Jelks and the new Constitution have grown steadily in the esteem and love of the people.
 It is a puzzle to me to understand how any man who voted for the new Consti- tuition can now support ex-Governor Johnston in this contest for he fought It's adoption with all his might and main, and claims that it was carried by fraud and deception and saddles most of the blame upon the black belt Democrats who had in former years been among his most ardent supporters.
 The ratification of the new Constitution was settled by the voice and vote of the people, and should now be sustained by its friends. Johnston. Denson, Stallings x Co told us that it was terrible thing and would disfranchise the white man. Mcdonald, LomaX, Watts. Graham and Weatherly told us that it would do no such thing, but upon the contrary 1t would liberate and free the white man and would internationally disfranchiSe the ignorant negro voter, and how true this prophecy has come. These five men were born and reared in the county of Montgomery and the black belt and we know and love them. They stand for the best interest and welfare of the people. They were worthy members of the late Convntion and they tell us to man that it's the best Constitution the State has ever had, and one of them has gone So far as to say that it is the wiseSt, best and ableSt instrument that was ever de- Vised by mortal man. It seems to me that as between the two men and the is sues they represent, Jelks has the ad- vantage. He stands all right upon the new Constitution He is a good man and pure man and has done nothing to divide the party or to drive Democrats away from i'm. His record Is clear from animosities and bickerings and strife, he is a new broom and If he retains his seat at the Capitol he will not be there especially to reward his friends or to pun ish his enemies.
 It is the first time in my life that have ever crossed the political pathway, or ambition of Joseph F. Johnston. Johnston in the past six years has lost many ot his old friends, but in the shuffle he has gained others, many of whom are his fol- lowers of today and at last his only hope hinges upon his own popularity, for aside from the striking and distinctive per sonality of the man himself there Is not a sing solitary claim that he or his friends can stand upon that VIII com
 H C. Lamar.