The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-25
THE PRESS AND THE STATES

LEADERS.
The Birmingham Alabamian 10 ex-Gov-
ernor Johnston's property and his rec
ognized mouthpiece. There Is abundant
evidence that he is constant contributor
to It's editorial page.
1t has long been known that he abb
horred The Advertiser. for he has been
denouncing 1t constantly since 1894 when
he was defeated by Ex-Governor Oates,
after a lively campaign In which The
Advertiser took very active part. This
paper. however, had bean opposing his
ambition for four years before his de-
nunciation.
During these past eight years Johnston
has done all in his power to injure The
Advertiser and to weaken its influence
Yet to his amazement this paper has
ffourished and stands higher in public
estimation now than ever before. Here
is The Alabamian's latest tribute to this
paper:
The machine politicians Of the State are
cry Advertiser and 1t has them intimi-
dated, and they are afraid to utter .
word or 90 any act contrary to The ADJ
vertiser. The country weeklies are also
Advertiser than they are of the people
Of their counties. The country weeklias
to large extent, seem to desire 70 re-
fleet the views of The Advertiser rather
whom they get their support. The .pur-
pose and policy of The Advertiser 10 to
destroy every man In Alabama who Will
not bow to its dictation and domination.
r. ,.,stY - he Af otfarnntfnR IN
destroy a mans, private business. Is II
not shame and outrage that such .
paper should have influence with honest
men and dictate the policy OF the Demo-
cratic party of the State?
OF course The Aiabamian has exag,
gerated ana distorted the facts of the
situation. for purposes Of its own. 1t is
trying to create prejudice against The
Advertiser and to make votes thereby for
Johnston Nevertheless. beneath his or
gan's Misrepresentation there stands out
distinctly the consciousness Of the fact
that The Advertiser wields powerful
influence in this State. 1t IL, Of course,
CALLING to Johnston and his organ that
The Advertiser has been such an effec-
tive block In his path.
When Johnston's mouthpiece speaks
about machine and machine politicians.
1t is enough to make horse laugh. No
man ever attempted to build up such a
powerful political machine in Alabama as
Johnston undertook when he was Gov
ernor. For four years he worked assidu-
ously to the end that he might be a
powerful enough boss to make every
Party leader cringe at his feet. He made
the bulk OF his appointments with that
view. and II man did not worship abb
iectly at his shrine and did not hurry to
do his will at all times, he soon lost
his head or was made mere neure-head,
He had new Offices by the score created
in order to lay the foundation of his
machine broader. And yet with all this
tremendous machine he was not able
to elevate himself into the Senate.
The Alabamian's Islander upon the
county press of the State Ia purely an
has not been able in any way to control
the weekly papers, he denounces them.
This seems to be an important feature
of his campaign. for one Of his leading
lieutenants. Col. benson, in the Inaugural
ton OF the Johnston campaign at Biz
bingham Wednesday night, u reported
by The Age-Herald thus: Another and
narcer attack was made upon the news
papers and the newspaper editors. dur
ing the stating OF which he said they
were liars, towards and .bribe-takers. .
That is the Johnston answer to the al
most solid phalanx of the Alabama press.
1t is already bearing its fruit. The Bes-
semer HeraId-Journal yesterday aban-
doned the Johnston cause and came out
for Jelks. The chances ere that others
of the few papers supporting Johnston
will indicate their self-respect in the same
way.
The Johnston organs confession of the
state of public opinion in Alabama is a
terrific indictment Of its boss 1t reveals
the handwriting on the wall. How can
he succeed in his candidacy for a third
term, IL all the leaders and all the news
papers are arrayed against him SO solidly
as The Albanian admits? 1t is impos-
sihle. He Is sure q defeat, Governor
Jell1s is certain to succeed with the forces
behind him which the Johnston organ
comedies.