The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-29
LAwsoN's STATEMENT CONTRA
 DTCTED.

OlCTEO.
 The Advertiser replied one week ego to the card published by William H. Law son, because of brief reference in these columns Go him and others as ex-cflace ton at Birmingham. which resulted in Johnston's announcing his candidacy for Governor To this article of ours Nr. Lawson responded last sunday. As we stated before we have no desire to make him a figure .n this campaign to any grcater extent than he forces us to do. and with that idea in view make this brief response. In his last card he says:
 The Advertiser says that in the Clarke conference fin January 1886 He (Lawson) was as active as any man present and statement is not true. received tele- phone message to come to Fleming ( Hotel and when arrived the conference had concluded its deliberations and could not have done what The Advertiser states when I was not present.
 That Is q pretty broad assertion and ( pretty flat contradiction. Tn reply VI submit the following statements from some of these. who were present, ant doubt not we could obtain similar ones from all who attended the conference if we could recall their names Thes, however. will satisfy any Alabamian. whe wants to know the exact truth of ths matter.
 Editors The Advertiser:
 In reply to yours, asking if MT. W. H. I.awson was present and participated in ae ons rsolie seng in as aSs fsng fss1 5oss son was present and took part In the deiiberatton. c. l.. Matthews, w. D. Westcott.
 Montgomery. Ala, July g, Is0s Editor The Advertiser:
 I was present at the Clarke conference held at the Fleming Hotel during Mr. Clarke's candidacy for nomination for Governor, at which 1t was understood would attend. I there saw Mir. Lawson and therefore considered him as one of us. John G. Winter.
 Montgomery, July g, lsO2. Editors The Advertiser:
 I was present at the conference of the friends of Hon. R. H. Clarke at his room at the Fleming Hotel in this city. January called to order MT. W. H. lawson en. tered the room and took a seat by me After listening for brief time to what was being said he turned to me and said that he would have been present eariiez but thaG he was engaged in writing ar article upon Captain Joseph F. Johnston when he was notified that the conference was assembling and that he came at once without finishing the article. He then n.Rsa lt.mA l. 3aA kFA~~ .SaH read telling me at the lime that he proposed to finish 1t and bring 1t to Int Advertiser for publication. The part then written was a severe afTnignMent oi Captain Johnston. Mir. Lawson remained at the conference and gave his advice freely until those present separated. Michael l.. Woods.
 Mobile. July a. lsO1. Editors The Advertiser:
 Mfr. Lawson was certainly in the Clarke Caucus held at F1eming's Hotel Ht was also in frequent conference with mt while was serving as confidential mana. ger for MT. Clarke and expressed grcai fear that Johnston would Tillmanize Ala bama- Harvey r. Jones.
 Mobile, Ala. July ?. lsu0. Editors The Advertiser:
 In reply to your inquiry, I have to say that immediately upon the adjouFnmen of the State Executive Committee iT January, 1896. confidential meeting o my friends was held in my room at th' Hotel Fleming; Mir. W. H. Lawson wal among those present, and took an activ' part In the discussion that was had al to the course best to be pursued to pro mote my nomination. I recoaiect tha | then parting from Mir. Lawson. h, l privately expressed theswarmest interes ! in me and urged me fo calf upon him fo any service he could rendeg me in In' campaign.
 The first intlmation I had of any chang, in his attitude was the announcement of 1t made in the public press some day' afterwards.
 The conference mentioned was of { confidential character, joined in only bI those understood to be among my closes political friends and supporters. The fact Is that I recollect the presence and participation of Mr. Lawson mor' distinctly than that of any other persoI present at the conference.
 Yours truly, R. H. Clarke. With these positive and unequivocal dec