The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-11

before that time. He withdrew his mo-
ton few moments later finding that
the debate was probably closed.
Mr.. Lowe Speaks.
Mr.. Stevens here took the chair at Mr..
loves request, and Bfr. Lowe said he
thought he ought to explain his vote on
the pending resolution.
He thought it would have been better to
have taken n recess to digest the argu-
ments heard His position was known
In the matter, and he believed that all
who voted for him as chairman of the
committee knew that he would not have
voted to change the time-honored sys-
TEN Of conventions without long and care
ful thought. This party was not the
Democratic party alone. but the Demo-
cratic and conservative party of Ala
bama. which was organized after the
war to protect the white people from the
dangers of reconstruction. This party
originated in a convention, and not since
It's organization has any one ventured to
change its -honored customs Whence
comes this sudden cry, this demand upon
you that you should change this customY
Never But One Primary.
Never since it's organization has there
been held but che primary in its history
| extending beyond the borders of one
county, and that was in the Fourth dis
/
| election. What man in Alabama is Will
ing to say that the convention system is
| fraudulent? Let him stand forth and
say 1t. Was 1t not the voice of the peo-
rle which nominated Oates. Johnston ana
4 Sanford? Would 1t ! OF be better TO build
Up the convention system If there are de-
fects than fly to a sy stem which Is I'M
| tired in eny civilized state except South
| Carolina-Tillman' state? Are the re-
suits there which sends Tillman to the
Senate better than those here which
sends Pettus? The demand for pri-
mary should be made manifest to TINS
| eonventio MAS it? You ask this COM
mittee to assume judicial and legislative
functions as well as executive l realize
this is an epcoh-msrking period. II we
order primary | foresee dangers and
it is. besides unfair to maxi tits de-
mand upon this committee. Why is 1t
not made upon a convention? Is there
any one here clamoring for a primary
see none. and what applause | heard
followed Mr. Stevens. We should take
time, and If the issue is forced today
will vote to stay in the time-beaten tracks
of our forefathers. Applause)
Mr.. Sanford Speaks.
W. III. Sanford of Pike followed Mr.
Lowe in a speech in favor of primary.
He said the committee was nothing more
than the representatives of convention
|
| agents had a perfect right to refer back
to their principals, the people the right
| to choose their officials. (Applause). He
said that If 1t was necessary he could
| point out occasion when the conven-
ton had failed to voice the sentiment Of
| the people. The fact that twenty-six out
! of thirty-six state officials were either
from the black belt or Jefferson County
showed that the convention system was
| & Of fafa
| (Cheers). Whether we have precedent
for 1t or not, l am willing to vote for
a system which will give every white
Democrat in the state an equal chance
in the affairs of government. tApplause).
Shall we continue a system which gives
Wilcox County, with 1850 white Demo-
Gratis, eleven representatives, while Pike
County with 35IJ Democrats, has but
eight? Great applause).
How long since Pike County went Pop
ulstie?" asked John V. Smith. (Cheers).
THAT doesn't signify" said Mr. Sam
ford at went Democratic at the last
election. He concluded his speech amid
applause.
Upton Mullins of Clanton said If this
clamor for a primary was true it could
be found out in a short time and 1t was
unwise to break down an established
system without grave consideration.
j. Thomas Hefln Speaks.
]. Thomas Hefiin of Chambers spoke
in favor of primary. He said that nine
tenths of the people wanted primary and
he was here to do what he thought was
his duty and would cast his vote for a
primary He thought the state executive
committee represented the Democratic
party and had authority to call a pri-
mary. This demand for one came from
eevery section of the state and he would
vote for Democratic primary and not
general white primary.
w. r. Sanders of Limestone spoke
against a primary, saying that it would
work for a county, but would be an
execrable thing to foster on state. The
previous question was then called and
the Mallory substitute was lost by a
vote of twelve to fifteen, the Whitson
substitute was then adopted by a vote
of fifteen to twelve, and the Sanford
resolution. as amended by the Whitson
substitute was adopted by the same
, vote.
The vote stood as follows:
Ayes-O Neal, Tunstall Hehin, Dunn.
Graves, Sanford, Frazier. Arlington,
Whitson, Brighton Mitchell HARRISON,
Given, Hall and C, B. Smith.
Noes-Lowe Stevens, Steve Smith,
Mullins, Miller, Mallory. Merrill, A. r.
Smith, Scale, Jones, Sanders Kumpe.
The committee then adjourned until 10
o'clock tomorrow when the details Of the
primary will be arranged
Notes.
Pat McGauley who was the official
| stenographer of the constitutional con-
vention is making a stenographic report
of the committees session for the sec
rotary.
Among those from Birmingham noticed
in the hotel Hobbies or attending the
| meeting are Mayor w. NJ. Drennen, At
torney General Charles G. Brown Rob-
ert H. Thach. John T. Hefiin. James
Tanner p. c. Bowman, Back Tax Com
missioner B. A. Thompson. State Mining
Inspector j. Deb. Hooper, R. P. Wet
more, ex-Gov. Joseph f. Johnston and
John C. Pugh.
When weak, weary and worn out.
Hoods Sarsaparilla is just the medicine
to restore strength.