The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-22
THREATENS ANOTHER BOLT.


For two weeks rast some of the papers
close to Jos. F. Johnston have been sug-
costing the possibility of his being count
ed out in the primary next Monday. In
this discussion there has been an under
current of a plan that he would run as
an independent candidate after the pri-
maries.
This idea seems to have been inspired
by Johnston himself. He is now making
utterances on the stump that sound that
same way. For instance. The Adver-
tiser's Columbiana correspondent, a very
intelligent man and prominent in Shelby
County affairs. in his report of John
ston's speech there a few days ago, had
this strong statement:
He said that every voter entitled to
should participate in the primary and
should cheerfully abide the results He
said repeatedly that If he got one single
vote more than his opponent. no power
could keep him from being Governor OF
Alabama.
This implies distinctly that he recog-
nizes no authority but himself. He alone
Is to Judge whether he gets zone single
vote more than his opponent" That is
very dangerous ground for any man
claiming to be a Democrat to take. Rut
1t IS entirely in accord with his we'll
known vanity, audacity and political
desperation.
Still stronger testimony as to John
ston's determination to rule or ruin ap-
pears in the last issue of The Cullman
Democratic says:
Joseph F. Johnston, while in Cullman
yesterday. stated that he expected to be
counted out, and If he was he would bolt
and run independently. This shows the
truth OF the contentious he Is preparing
IN advance for bolt. His following
prediction: That this will be their course
when defeated In the primary.
There 1t is-expects to be counted out
and intends to bolt! Now, what sort of
ground has he for such an expectation?
There has not been one word of any
such a probability from any other
source. AS matter of fact there is not
any probability. and he knows it. The
Democratic Party has inaugurated a new
era of political purity along with the
new Constitution. Tho main object of
box frauds. That was the purpose of the
people in adopting it. and they are going
to carry out that purpose Woe to the
manager in any beat in the State who at
tempts fraud in any primary or election
hereafter! Public opinion will not toler-
ate any such procedure.
The only fraud that is liable to occur
will be in Johnston's interest-the run
ming in of men to vote for him who are
not Democrats aud who will not
support the Democratic ticket His
leaders In various places have publicly
advised all white men. irrespective of
past Party affiliations, to go to the polls.
to take the pledge and to vote for him.
But If Johnston goes ahead and bolts
as he tire Atens, it will be entirely in
accord with his own past record. In this
connection we herewith reprint part of
an editorial from this paper on April
18th, last:
Plank.
He bolted the pledge of his Party adopt
ed mainly through his influence.
He bolted his own inaugural message
as Democratic Governor.
He bolted the action of the Democratic
caucus of the Democratic Assembly.
He bolted the endorsement of the Con-
stitutional Convention submission act by
a Democratic State Convention.
Finally, he bolted the friendship of the
bulk of the State and county leaders who
nominated him. and as a result made
humiliating failure in his race for
Senator.
Not satisfied with boiling Party actions
for which he was SO much responsible,
he kept up his record after the Party went
ahead and undertook to execute his
policy in spite of his boiling. He has
fought the Party at every turn in its
task of calling a Convention, of framing
new Constitution, of submitting it, of
adopting 1t. And today he Is still bolt
ing the Partys will and work by doing
all he can to undermine the new instru-
ment so as to set 1t aside.
AS bolter of his Party. Ex-Governor
Johnston has no peer in this State He
is easily first and foremost. And if we
mistake him not. he will continue in his
self willed, self-seeking course, until he
organizes new Party in this State and
becomes its leader. The chief end of
his existence is to get into the United
States Senate, and ne will stop short of
no means that promises him success in
that ambition. Party principles, Party
politics and Party loyalty are mere
leaves in his path
II the fact that General Harrison is |