The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-29
KNOX SPEAKS FQZ}l
 NEW CONSTITUTION
The President of the Late COnVen- tiOn Advocates the Election of
 Governor JelkS.

tween 500 and 500 persons were at the auditorium tonight at the opening of the campaign for Governor Jelks. On the stage sat several members of the State Campaign Committee and other promi- nent citizens.
 Hon. S. D. weakley called the meeting to order saying that the speakers ad- vertised were present and had not been detained for any reason. He said that the campaign was now started in behalf of and to endorse the present Governor. He touched on former Governor John- ston's candidacy. saying for the fifth time since 1898. he is now asking for an ofice, and 1t is to be hoped that 1t can be demonstrated that Captain Johnston is misinformed as to the necessity and demands of the people and that they will excuse him from the task of again serving them as Governor.
 Constitution the Issue.
 As the new Constitution of the State is the principal issue in the campaign, he said it was advisable to have the President of the convention which made the Constitution to open the campaign. Hon. John B. Knox was introduced.
 After MT. Knox's speech, Dr. R. N. Cunningham was heard. He said Gov error Johnston was not sincere. and that he had a policy in the campaign. Captain Johnston asks for vindication, he said, but is not willing himself to give the same to his fellowman. Dr. Cunningham then reiterated the treat ment accorded the Jefferson County Com missioners during Governor Johnston's administration. The speaker said that for consistency Governor JelkB was bet ter than Captain Johnston. Dr. Cunning ham then announced his views on the several matters under discussion In the tenant-Governor.
 In his speech, which was a splendid effort. Mir: Knox defended the Constitu- tion and appealed to the friends Of the new instrument to put on guard only those whose loyalty Is without taint MT. Knox said:
 MT. Knox Speaks.
 Fellow Citizens--I regret the necessity or appearing again before you In defense or the new Constitution. Including the unIe consumed last Spring in the canvass Tor the nomination of delegates to the Con vention, the election upon the call TOT a convention, and the election TOT ratlnca- ton, following immediately upon tne ao- journment of the convention which ram ed the Constitution, devoted practlcaI- ly the whole of one year to this service; and, naturally, I regret, on my return from the first vacation l have had since this contest was inaugurated, to find that the same set of men who opposed sur frage reform and the adoption or the new constitution at every step, had organzea. and backed by a secret organlzauon which they claim to have perfected Tn every part of the State, were again at work, seeking to gain control ootn or tne Executive and Legislative DepartlenI ltal.. fOurf ho ed with more or less indetinlteness or oe- feating the reforms accomplished oy tne adoption of the new Constitution, either by the method of its adminlstratlon' or by emasculating it's provisions through the process of amendment.
 I attended the other night the meeting at V hich Governor Johnston launcneo ms campaign, and watched with attenuon and interest, to see how he would at- tempt to justify his demand that the peo- pie of this State should place the seat of disapproval upon the 'adminlstratloh o1 Covcrnor Jelks, for the purpose ol :e- electinR him for third term to an once which he claims he does not want, anu which he says he has no ambition 10 Ill' As understood him, he placed ms de- mand to be restored to power in this ota'c ~ Johnston's Grievance.
 Ffrst-That the State Convention which nominated Governor Sanford failed, in terms, to endorse his administration. and
 Second-To enable him to carry out tne program which he openly avows, ot amending tho new constitution, in what way he does not state, but presumaply along the lines he has heretofore adVocat- ed and, in the meantime, to administer its provisions, as he expresses 1t, so as to bear lightly upon the people, uhuI he can secure the adoption .of hiS amend ments. By thAs means, 1t seems, ne eN- pects to restore to the people honest elec- 3ions and the right to govern themselves
 Now. what dos he mean by all of this When he and his following were de1eateu in their efforts to overthrow ana prevent even. they came before the State with the avowed declaration that they proposed 10 carry on the fight, and ask the people 10 restore them to power; so tna1 nat, Cney nIp,, StItution conform to their views, and emasculate from 1t those surrage pro visions to which they declared deadly and eternal opposition .,. .svo-..
 have heard 1t intimated that eHotts have been made in the North to raise funds to aid in this movement uo llot know if this be true or not put; II SV' for what conceivable purpose WonIo W pLl,I- pm anthropic gentlemen in the North con tribute means to support a State canvass in Alabama unless 1t be for the ultnlate purpose of restoring to certaln ol out ,,a population the rights of which they nave u, been deprived by the terms or the new Constitution? And what need ls tneL z z for amendment of the suffrage provision or the present Constitution unless IL pc ni- tended in some way to restore 10 tnls portion of our population some or the rights of which they are deprived by US terms?
 Cause of the Failure.
 And why did the State Convention of the Democratic Party in Alabama omit to endorse the administration of Governor Johnston? Every one at all familiar With the history of that administration knows that his notable efforts to defeat suffrage reform in this State-which was the chief feature of his administration-furnis the ground for such refusal.
 The Democratic Convection of which he romnlains and in which 1 had the honor of being chairman of the Committee on PIatform and Resolutions, demanded in m uncertain terms the holding of a Con- stitltIonal Convention. As much, there- fore as we might regret the situation, il 1,7as not of our making. That Conven- tion could not demand suffrage refrom snJ a new constitution in one paragraph ~ Jta nlaform, and in another endorse tha efforts of Governor Johnston to defeat all suffrage reform in Alabama, without stultifying itset .,-s.. =
 His grounds of complaint. therefore, are rractIcallv the same. and his demand for re-eIection as an endorsement ot his ad- 1oinjstration. and his desire to he again ,estnred to power. in order that he may amend the new Constitution, Is simply a continuance of the policy which he mas persisted in since his rrst somersanit on