The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-30
The Real Issue.

The Bessemer Herald-Journal, ". H. Parker, editor, in it's issue Of August 2, will say:
 The people of Alabama should wake up to the real issue that now confronts them in the coming campaign, Joseph F. Johnston has no more idea of being nominated in the coming pri mary than the editor of The Herald Journal has of becoming a millionaire. While it is possible for both to happen, yet the probabilities are so vague that it may be classed as an iridescent dream. Why then Is. the ex-Governor running, and why the great activity of his hench- men?
 These questions can be answered by asking few queries on the situation with few logical replies: What is Johnston's one ambition? To go to the United States Senate. If he is elected Governor does not the new Constitution debar him from being elected Senator while holding the office of Chief Executive? Yes.
 Then, should he accidentally be elected,
 won't this cut him off from Jlis cheer | ished ambition7
 Yes. But he may say the Constitution | can be amended. Tn order to have the Constitution
 amended-what is absolutely necessary to be done?
 Why, elect Legislature favorable to | Johnston, of course. If a Legislature be elected favorable | to the ex-Governor and Governor JeIks
 is elected, what will Johnston gain? The seat in the United States Senate | that is now held by Senator Pettus. Then the real issue is the complexion of the next Legislature. is 1t not! Certainly. For if the next Legislature | Is favorable to Johnston, and Johnston Is elected Governor, he can qualify, take | the oath of office then resign in favor of | the Lieutenant Governor and become a | candidate to succeed Senator Pettus. Il1n sn. Al1 aAA NIa. Int | be the same if a Johnston Legislature is l elected.
 What should the people of Alabama do |? The people of Alabama have a Consti- | tuition that has eliminated the illiterate
 and purchasable vote from the councils | of the State and it is their solemn duty to see that the legislators from each | county are favorable to the present Con-
 the majority that ratified that Consti-
 Then you think it is the duty of every voter to see that only men who can be
 depended upon, are sent to the Legisla- ture?
 Certainly This is the key to the whole situation, and the only way to break | down ring rule" is to keep the power
 of the wardheeler, party boss, and vote | buyer in check, is to keep the elective franchise in the hands of intelligent white voters.
 Who gave us the Constitution? The men who advocate the election of | Governor Jelks. Who opposes the Constitution? The men who are now doing their ut ! most to select ex-Governor Johnston for | third term.
 l Are they any exceptions to this rule? Possibly. But the great majority are as has been stated. Then a vote for Jelks and legislature | that Is favorable to the new Constitution is the correct thing for every patriotic citizen to do?
 Yes And to see that the candidates
 for the Legislature are men who can
 not be corrupted by either poodle or pull | dozing. The above questions and answers ex- press the view of the situation as seen | by The Herald-Journal, and we are sure | that a little more attention paid to the
 great benefit in the end: for, we really
 believe that this is the one key to the | whole situation.