The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-08
DR. R. M. CUNNINGHAM
CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT
 GOVERNOR IS HERE.
Did Not Come to Discuss Political Matters-says He is for Jelks for Governor-Has High
 Regard for 0eadcr.

pr. R. N. Cunningham of Ensley. cam didate for Lisutenant- Governor. came to Montgomery from Birmingham on a late train last night, secured a room at Flem- ings Hotel, attended to business or a private. character and will return 70 Birmingham early this morning He said he did not visit Montgomery to discuss political matters with friends. had not seen any public men, and did not expect to see any during his stay here.
 Have you had any communication from State Senator D. J. Meador, re- specting his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor?' Dr. Cunningham was asked.
 No, have not" replied Dr. Cunning ham. All I know of the candidacy of Mir Meador I have learned from the newspapers. I have high regard for him. but his candidacy does not effect my candidacy. The only time Meador and myself ever crossed swords was when he stood with Governor Johnston on the proposition to thwart the will of the peo- pie of Jefferson County in the matter of our Commissioners' Court I believed in local self-government then and I believe in local self-government yet"
 When Dr. Cunningham was asked to ex- press himself about the forthcoming State campaign, he laughed in his character istic way.
 q am a doctor by education and train- ing" he declared. T have committed myself to my profession and have been successful in it. I know very little about politics. I do not conceive that there will be a great strugge to secure delega- tions to the State Convention to vote for candidates for Lieutenant Governor. I am a candidate for that office, and l expect to rely on my friends in the va- rious counties to see that their delega- tions are more or less friendly to me-"
 This does not mean that you will not participate in the campaign, does it?'
 Tn my opinion, there will not be a heated campaign unless an issue Is made. There cannot be much of a campaign
 unless "a principle is involved. If those who are unfriendly to the constitution propose to make a campaign, shall ten- der my services to the friends of the con- stitution, and. if necessary. speak for 1t and the men who stand by 1t all over the State. I never did care for mere mon in political campaigns but when principles are involved. 1t becomes another matter. We had reached the condition in Alabama
 when honest elections were a necessity. I believe the new constitution insures honest elections, and I believe 1t is su- perior to the old constitution. The. only patriotic attack that can be made on Governor Jelks Is against his record. He has made an excellent Governor. and he is entitled to the nomination"
 Have you discussed your candidacy
 with Governor Jelks?'
 "No, I have not" declared Dr. Cunning ham. emphatically, "and you may say that do not propose to make any politi- cal combinations. I am not good enougf,
 politician for that. You may say, how- | ever, that l intend to support Governor Jelks with all my power. I'd do that if he announced tomorrow that he was | opposed to me. I was urged some time | ago to become a candidate for Governor and I said then that would support Jelks. He stood with me when fought | for my people against Governor Johnston | and he has made a good Governor .Dr. Cunningham said he did not believe I there would be a split In the Democratic party. but it was his deliberate convic.
 ton that there will be two white parties in the gState-the Democratic party and
 the Republican party. He thinks It is doubtful if the opponents of the new
 constitutien will have candidates in the | field for the State offices, but says if they do have such candidates. the campaign | will be centered upon the office of GOV. | ernor, and candidates for minor offices l must look out for themselves.
 Just say that I came down here to- ] night on purely private business" said Dr. Cunningham, that politics Is not en. | gazing my attention very much just now l and although I am candidate for Lieu tenant-Governor. I do not expect to bor- | row trouble. Time enough for that when trouble knocks at the door"