The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-03
n Long Letter He Reviews Ad- ministrationS of Former Gov- ernor Johnston and the DreS- entlncumbenl.
Says it is Unnecessary to De- feat Governor JeIks to Vindi- cst) JohnSton-Other Ways For This.

Opelika, August 2-(Special )-Senator John T. Morgan has written the following letter to Thomas D. Sanford, son of the late Governor Sanford in which he re- views the present politica1 conditions oi the state and explains why he endorses Governor Jelks for reelection. Senator Morgan says that ex-Governor Johnston's real purpose Is to decline to be governor if elected and seek to be elected United States senator if majority of the legis- lature is in his favor.
 Following is the text of the letter:
 fully appreciate your just solicitude, expressed in your letter of the 18th inst, as to the action of the democracy of Ala bama in the nomination of candidate for Governor on the 18th Of August, ana earnestly hope that Governor Jelks will be chosen.
 He will fill the place that would have been accorded to your honored father had he been spared to the people of Alabama, and every one must feel that you have peculiar interest in the question whether his loss shall also be embittered with the overthrow of the party he honored with his regard and the principles to which he gave his honest devotion.
 At the time of Governors Sanlfords death, and during his long illness, there was a deep feeling of anxiety as to successor, in his office, who would hon. estly carry out the princip1es and pur- poses which the people had declared Ill his election, in August, 1900, and the greatest care was taken in the selection of his successor, and in so providing that the uncertain language or the then existing constitution should not result III the holding over of the office by his predecessor. Provisions or law werv speedily enacted to prevent such TO- suit, and they were effectual.
 The anxiety of those days was shared by all true democrats in Alabama, anu it lead to the selection of Senator Jelkn, as president of the senate, who became the governor of the state.
 Encountered Difficult Question.
 need not recall, as a vindication of his ability, fidelity and skill in his office, the various and difficult questions that Gov ernor Jelks encountered and mastered in the great office thus devolved upon him, or to show how fully he has met them The quiet judgment of the people has settled all that, so that there is no ac- cusation from which he requires to be vindicated and not even the suggestion of a mistake as to which he requires to be excused.
 feel as you feel, only not Tn the per- sonal sense that excites your grateful regard for Governor Jelks, that he has thoroughly well performed the official duties that the confidence of the people had chosen your distinguished father to discharge and I feel, with you, that there is no just reason why the democra- ey of Alabama should refuse to endorse his administration, by voting against his claim to the honors he has so well earned.
 No matter what posthumus honors ex- Governor Johnston may claim that he Is entitled to, as a "vindication" against accusations that are not specified by him, he does not charge that MT. Jelks has made them but that they were made by the mere silence of the democratic state convention of 1900.
 If this is even an affront to the ex-gov- ernor, which seems impossible, that is no reason why democrats should vote a censure upon the excellent administra- tion of Governor Jelks, by refusing to nominate him on his first appeal to the people for a nomination.
 If it takes two terms to enable Cover nor Johnston to make his record, and another term to vindicate that record, he should be willing to wait until Governor Jelks has received the endorsement of his fellow democrats for he needs no win dication') and then claim his "vindica- tion' by demanding election to the office of governor, which he now says that he does not want, either for the salary or the honor 1t would bring him.
 Unnecessary Reproach.
 It is not necessary to cast the reproach of undeserved defeat on Governor Jelks, in order to vindicate Governor Johnston against some imaginary. CT inferential discourtesy of a state democratic con- vention in 1900. Besides there are sev- eral ways open to him, in which Gov ernor Johnston can appeal to the people for his coveted vindication, that would not involve the popular condemnation of Governor Jelks, that will be visited upon him if Governor Johnston should defeat him in a democratic primary.
 A candidacy for a seat in the senate is open to any who need vindicaton, or to those who are not in that painful sit uation and, if 1t is the new constitution that Is the real point of Governor John ston's opposition to Mir. Jellxs, and the real point of cmfwypetaoicmSdhSgf real object of his attack he will find a firm friend of that ins.s anent in the pres ent incumbent, and he can put his can vass openly on that ground. He vii, also find as firm a friend or the new consti tuition In the representative in his dis trict, ard he could not do Governor Jelks any personal injustice by seeking his ''vindication' in a congressional elec- ticn.
 If the people owe him a ''vindcation, |" they would find their best opportunity and doubtless the one most agreeable to ex- Governor Johnston, by comforting such honors upon him.
 I cannot think that the real purpose of his candidacy has any reference to the honors or emoluments of an office from which he claims to have extracted all that is agreeable to him, and scarce ly refrains fl om spurning, while de- manding it as a vindioation.
 He has claimed the highest office in the sovereign state of Alabama as a stepping stone to federal office. thereby disparaging the dignity of the state, and using its powers and honors for per- sonal ends.
 The rebuke given to this abuse in the new constitution is, doubtless. one of the privations against which 'vindication" will be demanded, in the form of amend