The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-11

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porter of the old-fashioned convention
plan.
As the commit eemen reached the court
room they went quietly to seats reserved
for them in the jury boxes on each side
of the Judges bench where they discussed
the question before them with their fellow
members The leg-pulling. iog-rolling and
button-hoiing stage had passed. These
pertinent but peculiar political methods
had been adjusted in the hotel Hobbies and
little remained but the argument which
the very pertinacity of certain commit
teemen directed them to make.
John C. Pugh. Secretary of the COM
mittee, reached the court room shortly
after u o'clock bearing his handbag
which has done service on many more
occasions of like character. lie opened
this bag. adjusted his minute books and
records, then shrugged his shoulders as
II giving a sign that he was about ready
to start the political wheels in motion.
Then Chairman Lowe came from the
crowd of comrr itteemen on the floor of
the court room and assembled to the
Judges bench. This was at exactly 1880
o'clock.
Called to Order.
THE committee will be in order" said
chairman IpWEs blIhpiSs anu hilC 0SNiC~
tary will call the roll
The roll call developed the presence of
twenty-seven members of the committee.
The absentees were Hon. Tennent Lo-
max of Montgomery. e. r. Morrisette Of
Perdue Hill, Howard Douglas of McIn-
tosh Bluff, J. T. German of Opellka, F.
l.. Mckenzie of Tallassee. David NJ
White of Goodwater. W. B. PEBBLES of
Vienna and E. D. Shivers of Marion.
Bibb Graves of Montgomery explained
that Mr.. Lomax was ill at Hot Springs
He said Mr.. Lomax had written to him
requesting that his excuse be rendered
to the committee. Hon. John Smith ex-
planned that Mr.. German had been called
away on account of the illness of his
brother; Secretary Pugh said he had been
notified by Mr.. Mckenzie that he had
made previous engagement; c. B. Smith
announced that Mr.. White was detained
at home by illness and Chairman Lowe
said he had letters from Messrs Nor
risette and Douglas rendering satisfac-
tory excuses for their absence.
When a quorum had been ascertained
Chairman Lowe said 1t was necessary for
him to explain that the Committee had
met In regular session. The meeting, he
said, was later than heretofore owing to
the fact that the new Constitution
changes the time of holding the State
election. OF course. he said, the prime
business of the committee was to consider
and fix upon the time and place and
manner of the nominations of Democratic
candidates for State offices. He declared
that the committee was then ready to
take up this business.
Hon. w. II. Sanford the Troy MEM
Der of the Committee was the first COM
mitteeman to be recognized. He moved
that committee be appointed to draft
and submit to the whole committee a
plan for the nomination of State officers.
This committee under his motion was to
consist of Chairman Lowe. one member
from the State-at-Large and a member
from each Congressional District and the
special committee was to report at
o'clock.
There was a murmur of surprise when
at this stage of the proceedings State
Senator Walter L. AGREE of Newton, who
is not a member of the Committee. arose
on the other side of the court room and
began to address the Committee as
though he had a speech prepared for
the occasion and had determined to get
it in early in the session. He had got
ten far enough along to indicate that he
had a proposition that would enlighten
the Committee and would act as oil
upon troubled waters when Mr.. Sanford
cut him Off
Mr.. Sanford has a strong and volumi-
nous voice.
II make the point of order. Mr.. Chair
man." cried Mr. Sanford. being heard
throughout the big court room, that
the gentleman is not member of this
Committee"
Not Easily Dismayed.
Mr.. AGREE was not to be easily dis
MAYED He arose and said pleasantly
that he was a Democrat and that he had
thought that any Democrat would be
heard on this important question. Then
he launched into his speech the second
time He had gone far enough to inform
the Committee that he represented the
great wiregrass" region of Alabama when
he was interrupted by Chairman Lowe.
The Chairman would suggest to the
gentleman" said Chairman Lowe, with
Characteristic irony in his voice. that
proxies arc not recognized; the Commit
tee NAV hear the gentleman, but that is
left entirely to the discretion of the Com
mittee.'
Mr. AGREE was in a fine humor. He re-
pIiAd that he did not have a proxy, Meth
ar was he member of the Committee,
but he felt sure the Committee would
hear from him at the proper time. Friends