The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-08
A CAMPAIGN OF DECEPTION.

when a man goes before the people or Alabama to claim for a third term their support for the high office of Governor, and in violation of every Democratic precedent, he should be able to give some good and tenable reason for it. He should be able to show that the duties of the office are not being properly performed. and that they cannot be unless he is call ed to the helm. He should prove that the State and the people are suffering from the inefficiency or unfaithfulness of those in power, and that relief can only come through him. He should at least have it in his power to convince the people that his elevation to the coveted office means the betterment of the States con- dition and relief for the people.
 Has Johnston done any of these things? Has he produced any evidence which would stand in a court of justice that his course as Governor of Alabama showed transcendant ability above any of his predeo essors? Has he anything except his own wild and unsupported assertions to show that he administered the affairs of the State better than any man had done before? And has he produced single argument to convince intelligent men that he is needed at the head of the government now?
 An affirmative reply cannot be made to any of these interrogatories. The evil dence the other way Is voluminous, in disputable and cumulative. Cold facts and iron-clad figures are against him. His claims to unusual ability are dis proven. His extravagant assertions about what he did for the State are shown to be fallacious The figures upon which he bases his claims have been proven un- trustworthy, and his tables and balances are proven to have been cooked to suit his needs. There Is no dependence to be put in his statements of what he has done.
 If his assertions as to what he has done are untrustworthy. how shall we put more confidence in his claims and promises for the future? The old Latin motto, Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, or He who is false in one particular will be false in all," applies to the claims and promises made by and for the ex- Governor. If his statements as to the past are not to be trusted, how can his promises for the future be relied on? He
 virtually tells the people that their Con-
 stitution shall be amended, their statutes
 changed and their financial condition ele- l vated. He proposes to be the executive, | the judiciary and the legislative branches | of the government, all in one and all en- cased in himself. Do sensible people be- | lieve that he either can or will fulfill his promises?
 The whole truth of the matter is John ston entered the campaign for personal reasons, and for nothing else. He is in- | dignant because a Democratic State Con-
 vention in 1900 did not stultify itself by l endorsing his administration. when he | we'll knows that his own course had made such endorsement impossible. He is sore
 because the Democrats of Alabama failed to look on him rs a greater and more
 deserving man than Senator Morgan. He
 wants to get into power so that he may
 reward his few friends and punish his
 many enemies. His reasons for being a candidate are both personal and un- worthy a man seeking that high office.
 His campaign is unfair, his statements untrustworthy and his methods indefen-
 siblc He richly deserves the defeat the people of Alabama will give him.