The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-02
Letters to The Editor.
YES, A PRIMARY!
Some Views of a Former Leading
 Populist.

Editor The Advertiser:
 I am glad to see The Advertiser, Mo- bile Register. The Age-Herald and other influential papers in the State, are round ing up" just right on this question or primary election. Let the State Execu- tive Committee order a uniform primary for every County In the State. to be held on the same day and the people will be satisfied with the result. or at least they will have to submit whether they are satisfied or not. But this is not the par election. Through a primary election IS the only way to get an expression or the people. It is the only way, to forestall frequently nominated in conventions. l am not actuated from partisan feelings in thts matter. l am speaking. as my friend Bill Denson used to say. as an Ameri- seed Popuiists who followed the flag of that party from the time 1t was first unfurled under the name or Jenerson- ian Democracy till 1t went down with fore I do not presume to offer any sug- gestions for the good of the Democracy of Alabama. The Democratic party IS abundantly able to take care of itself. more nor in the State: and right now, for the first time since 1890, the political sem timent in Alabma is in normal condi. ton. The people are in a condition to course as will promote the welfare of
 Long before the Populist organization went to pieces this writer had become fully conYtnced of the necessity for re- forming the Constitution of our State. | And. when the opportunity presented It. self, I cast my vote in favor of holding a convention. After the new constitu- ton was submitted to the people for rat ification, I read 1t and studied 1t care fully and was convinced that, under all tho circumstances. 1t was the acme of ratification. It has been adopted and is now the organic law of our great State.
 Under its operations certain vicious element has been eliminated from poll ought to be weeded out provided it could he done without disfranchising any white men. Now that this much has been sue ccssfully accomplished there ts no earth | ly reason for precipitating a political storm in Alabama in this good year 1902. Certain designing men. however. are at tempting to run the people wild over the new Constitution. A matter that Is not can serve. however. to precipitate . great furor and create endless strife that will result in no good to any one.
 have recently had the privilege of ian. Pct. catfee's blunderbuss. And who once regarded by the Popuiis,s os Ala bama as one of the craftiest among bal. lot-box stuffers and political manipula- tors. He now poses as a great political reformer and wants to see the ballot pu- rificd. And there Is my old friend. J. c. Fonville, of Crenshaw, who has a con- tribution in Pets paper pledglng him his support.
 MT. Fonville would rather make the fight outside the party. but If Pet thinks best he will strike hands with him. roll up his sleeves and enter the corrupt or genization and help purify 1t. Another old-line Populst in Dallas tumbles to the racket and enlists In the service. "Old Confederate" of Guntersville, whose Pop ullstic earmarks are plainly visible to me Is also ready for the fray. Now. the fact is, these fellows are all disgruntled sore, disaffected and are simply 'spilin' {" for another big row Every one of them are demanding and insisting upon a primary election. They don't believe the State Executive Com mittee will order primary election. They are not expecting it. They are not wanting 1t. They want their demands ig- nored and turned down. Then they VIII appeal to the people in the November election.
 Let the State Executive Committee ac- 1 commouate them, Let It accede to their demands. Let 1t order uniform primary for the State. one that will insure aoso- lutely a fair expression of the people and the trouble will all he over: Governoi Jeks will be nominated with. ittle or no opposition. A good, clean twket will ne placed in the field and the victory will have been won
 It is true that some of the black belt