The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13
Writes Letter Warmly AdVOcat-
Ing Governors Reelection
DISCUSSES ADMINISTRATION
Says JeIks Has Been Subject of Close
Inspection and Criticism Rather
Than lndulgent Approval,
But Is Unscathed.

Montgomery, July 12-(speciaL)-M
John R. Mccain. the state land agent,
has Just received from Senator John I.
Morgan, .the Following strong letter of
endorsement Of Governor Jelks.
Senator Morgan is now recuperating at
Warm Springs, Va His letter is as fol-
lows.
WARN Springs Va, July 8, 1902
Dear Mr.. Mccain:
AZ know Of no one who is announced
as a candidate, or is being earnestly sug-
gested by Democrats as a candidate for
governor, whose candidacy l could oppose
without a sense of insratltude. And l
have not known a time when men who
are prominent for that office were better
qualified to conduct a safe, honorable
and able administration OF the state gov
ernment
80 that 1t is impossible that could
favor the selection of any one, above an
other, as the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party for any personal reason,
vet l favor the selection of Governor
Jelks. He was chosen as state Sena-
tor by the people of Barbour county, and
shen. as President of the Senate, by the
majority of the Senators from the entire
state. and tbis1r rsnccessive endofseifpt Is
livery high testimony as TO his fitness Tor
responsible duties.
- Closely Watched.
Succeeding to the office OF Go%rnor,
in consequence of the death of GFernor
samferd who was so beloved andkrusted
hs the people, Governor Jell1s yas been
4 the subject OF close inspectionfand crit
icism, in his official career, fther than
of the indulgent approval mat always
attends the conduct of leader OF poll
tical party in an important election Inc
test has been severe and Governor jerks
has stood 1t, without any adverse crit
| icism by the people, so far as l have
I. heard. Indeed, l have not seen the time
when the people have felt more secure
al to the faithful and wise conduct OF the
State government. This Is not blind
con zdence in Governor Jelks, but the
result of a most watchful scrutiny OF his
official conduct So l regard 1t as most
satisfactory proof that he is an excellent
Governor. Under ordinary conditions, l
would very much dislike to deny to sucn
an officer the opportunity to endorse
ment by the direct vote of the people. l
cannot consider 1t just, kind, or wise to
do so. But the present conditions are
quite extraordinary and are far from
being free from danger to the party or
to the State.
IT am too conscious of the fact that
the government of the State has been
preserved in the control OF the white
race, through the organized action Oh
the Democratic party, from the begin
ming to forget that the State, In the fu-
ture, must depend upon that political
nj fnr "a
restoration Of foreign rule through the
negro vote.
THE Republican party is not a white
mans party and cannot be. and those
who seek to weaken the power of the
Democratic party, as a political organiza-
ton in Alabama, must contribute their
might to the restoration of negro suf-
frage. That is to be the constant effort
of all who affiliate with the Republican
party. and 1t will be, the certain result
of the disorganization and defeat Of the
Democratic party in Alabama, by any
party, under any name or organization
Democracy Must Stand.
when the united support of the
Democratic party in Alabama is removed
from the principles on which the voting
privilege is based in the new constitu-
tion, the relapse that must occur will
place the state in a worse condition than
II was in under the old constitution, and
this will be the vital Issue in the NoveIn-
Der el5cticns.
Whatever objections may be found to
other provisions of the new constitution,
they are really of no Importance when
they are compared with the suffrage
clauses; and 1t Is of that most vital i'm
portance to elect Governor and Legis-
lature who are friendly to the purposes
of the new constitution and are pledged
to provide laws foe their enforcement.
There is nc doubt of the attitude of
Governor Jelks on these matters, and
that would settle my preference for his
nomination.
This Is no time for abandoning our
attitude on this subject or for laying
aside a man who is faithful in it's sup
| port If we " i'll now come together in
earnest and careful work, and perfect
by legislation the principles of the con-
| stitution we have recently adopted. we
can secure for Alabama her full share of
| the benefits of the new commercial era
| that rhe Fifty-seventh Congress has
| opened by it's canal legislation, to the
| South and to the whole country.
'In the time of preparation for this
rev and splendid career I would be glad
| TO know that we will have a man in the
! office of Governor who is as sensible,
prudent end practical as Governor Jelks.
Sincerely yours,
ssIJon Tohu r Mccain"