The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-17
GOVERNOR JOHNSTON
MAKES A STATEMENT.

NAMES - . y { NJ EN- -.
II have few friends in Alabama who
do not know that l have had no desire
to be Governor again; after four years
of arduous labor in that office; after
arousing by the discharge of duty as I
saw it, many resentments In the hearts
of men whose good will | praised, 1
could not look forward to again, taking
up the duties and cares and burdens Of
the office with much pleasure. l have
tasted its honors and drunk deep of its
appointments; the salary has no at
traction for me, but I have never yet,
In war or peace, shrinked duty or evad-
ed an obligation, and I do not feel at
liberty to resist demand that seems so
general upon the part of the people. as
to be Imperative
Il think 1t will be admitted by many
fair men who are not my personal or po-
litical friends that during my adminis-
tration:
1.-The financial condition of the State
was established in sure and lasting foun-
dations, and that public credit reached its
highest point.
That gratifying progress was made
In the cause of education in the common
schools.
THAT the laws were impartially obeyed
and enforced by me, and that such peace,
good order and security prevailed as to
cause the influx of capital into our State
In copious streams.
THAT the bitter passions and resent
ments that had so long unhappily divided
the white men of the State into hostile
political camps almost entirely disappear
ed
THAT the highest standard of official
accuracy and promptness was obtained in
handling the public revenues, and that
the expenses of the state government and
appropriations of money were held down
to the loves. points, The great increase
in expenditures since aggregating nearly
100000, warrants the claim of economy
during my administration.
IF these claims were measurably true,
I had the right to expect. from Demo-
cratic usage and precedent, extending
back in unbroken links for generations,
that che Democratic state convention
which met and nominated my lamented
successor, would give its endorsement to
my administration; instead of that it was
reviled and passed by as unworthy of
honorable mention.
APPEALS TO
WHITE DEMOCRATS.
From this action l now appeal to the
white Democrats. 10 the men who love
Justice and fair dealing to say, by their
votes, whether an administration whose
0-1t- L
end ratified by my two successors in Of
fee. and whose laws remain unamended
in the statute books, shall have the en-
dorsement of the people; or whether the
unjust and partisan action of that con-
ventiop shall be permitted to stand as a
reIroach to my puolic service. my name,
and my children. The answer of the peo-
pie to this question is the cnly gratifca-
tion that can come to me by my nomin-
ation and election as Governor, beyond
that which must come to every man from
the honest and faithful discharge Of
duty.
My honorable competitor is appealing
for his nomination on the ground that 1t
is the Democratic precedent. But four
men in all TIE history of the state have
been called to The office of Governor by
the death or the resignation of the Cover
nor elected by the people and not one
OF these was ever elected to the office;
but no precedent exists where Democratic
rtate conventions ever refused to endorse
Democratic administrations where laws
and policies were retained and carried
cut except in the siligle Instance where
II was denied me.
Compelled by the forms of law to ac-
cept the new constitution, it should be
carried out in good faith until amended
by an honest and fair vote. when expert
ence may show what amendment Is nee
essary. Considering the vast number of
new offices that are authorized to be
created by 1t, and the new and untried
provisions introduced into 1t. 1t would
seem of vital Importance that instead of
being put into operation and effect by
it's so-called friends who seemed to
think an increase of offices and salaries
so necessary, 1t seems to me that 1t
should be put into operation and tried by
the friends of the people. whose first
consideration would be the public well
fare, and whose chief aim would be to
secure honest and fair primaries and
elections, so essential to our peace and
prosperity and that economy in adminis-
tration, state and county. which the con-
dition of the people and the growing
necessities for education in the common