The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-25
LONG DRAWN OUT SESSION
Hot COllOquy Between Con-
teStantS Feature of Meeting
Old Committee Adjourned Sine Die
and Gave Way to New Party
Nanagers-Many Prominent
Democrats Present as
Spectators.


The retiring Executive Committee of the
Democratic party of Alabama held its
last melting in the Montgomery City Coun-
Gil chamber beginning yesterday at l
o'clock and remaining in session until
1870 o'clock last night. In its last meet
ing the committee declared Hon. Massey
Wilson of Clarke the Democratic nomi-
nee for Attorney General by a majority
of 2.495 votes and decided the contest
for member of the House of Represen-
tatives from Lauderdale County between
Hon. Emmett O'Neal and Captain r. T.
Simpson in favor of the latter.
The attendance upon the closing meet
ing of the Committee was very light.
By tacit consent it transacted the bust
ness before 1t without the calling of the
roll to ascertain If a quorum was present.
The proceedings of the Committee ap-
parently had no great interest for the
members who were in the city.
Yesterdays meeting of the Committee
was chiefly remarkable for it's prolonged
sessions. The business before the Com
mite was transacted in a leisurely man
ner. Although only two matters came
before the Committee it's sessions were
prolonged hour after hour. There was
plainly no haste or hurry 1t took its
time and recesses were frequent.
o'Neal-Simpson Contest.
The larger portion Of its sessions was
occupied In hearing and considering the
contest filed by Hon. Emmett O'Neal of
Lauderdale County against the nomina-
ton Of Captain r. 7. Simpson for men,
Der of the House of Representatives from
Lauderdale County. Mr.. O'Neal brought
the contest to the Committee on the
ground that the County Committee of
Lauderdale County had declined to hear
evidence on the charges OF fraud that
he made except as 1t related to votes
that had been challenged at the polls.
He petitioned the State Committee to
direct the County Committee to reopen
the contest and hear the evidence which
he wished to bring before it as to frau
dulent votes.
Neither of the contestants. employed
counsel. Both are leading lawyers of
North Alabama and they appeared before
the Commute in their own behalf, con-
Quoting their cases with skill and adj
dress that brought forth complimentary
comment. Both showed that they were
good speakers and displayed considerable
oratorical ability.
Towards the close of the meeting some
warmth of feeling developed and some
acrimony was shown. There vas at the
night session of the committee a spirited
colloquy between them. 1t was neces-
sary for the chairman to recall them to
parliamentary forms of speech.
The fight before the State Committee
resulted in a complete victory for Cap
tain Simpson, who was elected on the
fact of the returns by majority of liz
votes. The committee formally dismiss
ed the petition of Mr. ONeal, declaring,
however, that the action was taken with
out investigating the charges of Mr..
ONeal.
Committee Counted Vote.
The interest in the Lauderdale contest
almost overshadowed the official canvass
of the vote for Attorney-General, which
was the prime purpose of yesterdays
meeting.
A subcommittee counted the vote.
unlimited its report and 1t was adopted,
while the committee was in executive
session yesterday afternoon. Upon the
declaration by the committee that Mr..
son had been nominated by a majority Of
3,4S5, Hon. c. C. Whitson u member Of
the committee and warm personal
friend and political adviser of Colonel
CARRIER, announced to the committee that
Colonel CARRIER cheerfully accepted the
result of the primary and would support
the nominee.
The meeting of the committee was at
tended by a large number of prominent
QUITO town Democrats. During its ses-
sions the space outside the railing was
occupied by crowd of interested on
lockers. The onlookers included Com
gressmen Henry D. Clayton, Oscar I'm
derwood Charles w. Thompson, John l..
Burnett sgd Bowie, former Congressman
Willis Brewec. Henry B. Gray. Senator
Jones G. Moore, and many other politi-
cal leaders of the State
Bare Quorum Present.
The attendance upon the last meeting
of the old committee was not large and
an hours grace was given the tardy ones
before the committee was called togeth-
err. ir the hope that there would be
enough of the belated ones to form a
. quorum.
The roll was never called, and it was
doubtful If a quorum was ever present,
but the point was never raised. The bust
ness of the committee was transacted
by common consent and as effectively as
If there had been full meeting of the
cor mittee
While the Committee was called to
meet at noon it was after l o'clock when
Chairman Lowe raped for order.
The following members OF the Commit
tee were present: Robert ]. Lowe En-
met ONeal. John V. Smith, A. NJ. Tun-
stall Upton Mullins. w. d. Dunn. How
ard Douglass, Bibb Graves, William H.
Sanford, ]. T. German. T. S. Frazer,
II. S. D. Mallory. H. D. Merrill. Car
son c. Whitson, F. L. Mckenzie, w. T.
Brightman, D. NJ. White and c. B..
Smith.
In calling the Committee together
Chairman Lowe said
"As the Committee is advised, the
prime purpose OF this meeting is to as
certain the result OF the second primary
for Attorney General. the returns Of
which are in the hands of the Secretary"
Mr.. Dunn of Clarke moved that a
Committee of three be appointed to can
vas the returns and report to the Com
mittee. The motion was adopted and
Chairman Lowe named the following
committee: w. d. Dunn of Clarke. w.