The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-02
JELKS' CAMPAIGN OPENED AT CAPITAL E. s. Shorter and Dr. Cunning ham Speak at Montgomery AUDIENCE REPRESENTATIVE Careers of the Present and Former Governors Are Dlsoussed-stOry
 of Jefferson County commls-
 sioners' Fight Is Told.
AUDIENCE REPRESENTATIVE

Montgomery, August 1.-(Special. )-The campaign of Governor Jelks was opened in Montgomery tonight with speeches by the Hon. Eli S. Shorter, of Barbour, and Dr. R. Nj. Cunningham. candidate for lieutenant governor. Prof. Mcdonald. at whose theatre the speaking occurred. counted the audience at 517 gentlemen and 12 ladies. It was representative au- dience, the business element predomin- ating and many of the local notables be- ing present The addresses were almost purely argumtative and stuck closely to the new constitution as the real issue in the campaign.
 They were intended to be serious and to be taken seriously, the earnestness of the speakers being broken by an occasion al sally at the expense of ex-Governor Johnston MT. Waller. opposing candidate \ for lieutenant governor was almost com pletely ignored. Both orators were given personal ovations and the flames of wit and sharp sallies were all enthusiastical- ly applauded-
 Speeches on High Plane.
 The feature of the meeting was the high plan on which the speakers moved. The address of MT. Shorter included a strong personal appeal for Governor Jeiks. He described his career from boy hood; how he had borrowed money on which to go to college; how he had bought paper at Eufaula on credit and not only repaid every dollar but had &C., cumulated a competency.
 | He is a success, said the speaker, in his private business, and he rose by merit to the high position of president of the senate. He was called to the governor ship by accident but by law. He has made a success as governor, and it would be a cruel stab by this great people to re- fuse to lis honest clean and able ad- ministration a note of endorsement
 Cunningham on Johnston.
 Dr. Cunningham drew the issue short and sharp on the records of the candi- dates in relation to the new constitution, and declared that Governor Johnston had not only fought 1t but is still fighting it.. He had been for a new constitution until 1 he found there was no senatorship in it for him and then he turned against 1t. He described the loyalty of Governor | Jelks to the cause of ballot reform and drew attention to the financial ability of 1 his administration, declaring him to be | a better business governor than his pre- decessor. He warned the audience against | entrusting the new constitution to it's enemy, who had avowed his purpose to trim 1t up to suit himself.
 Dr. Cunningham went into the old fight over the Jefferson commissioners court in which Jelks had stood with him against Johnston and drew great ap- plause in declaring his own gratitude and fidelity for that act of friendship. He described the last legislature as hav- ing been as completely under Johnston's g domination as any Roman senate under a pretorian-made Caesar. He closed with some chaff about his own chances to be a governor in the future and some 1 fun at Walters expense He declared himself opposed to a state dispensary.
 The chairman of the meeting was Ter l " Richardson and on the stage sat such prominent gentlemen as Judge Carmi- chael, II. M. Hobbie, c. A. Lanier, NJ. H. Hudson and dozen others of equal note.