The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-04
LET US HAVE FAIRNESS.


 on a subject of very grave importance to the Democratic party as well as to the people of Alabama:
 Let us have honest, Intelligent party representation at the polls, stop the cry of fraud, and there will be no excuse for contests in Congress.
 Under the election laws of Alabama it is the duty of the Proate Judges, Sheriffs and Circuit Court Clerks to appoint as inspectors of elections men from oppos- ing political parties, but it Is well known that this duty can be performed in such manner as to comply with the letter of the law without complying with it's spir it. As officials are intensely partisan, and are disposed to take advantage of their position, they can appoint as rep resentatives of the opposing political party men who will have neither the in- telligence, the capacity or the courage to look to the interests or justice of the party of which they are supposed for the time being, to be the guardians. That this has been done is one of the charges made against the Democrats of Alabama in times past, and whether the charge was true or not the party bore the stigma of it.
 The Advertiser earnestly hopes that in the November elections there will be no cause even for suspicion that everything has not been done with perfect and ab- solute fairness It is we'll known that one of the strongest arguments made for Constitutional Convention was that it would enable the people of the State to remove all excuse for unfair elections It is equally we'll known that one of the strong pleas made for the adoption of the new Constitution was that this desire | had been effected and that henceforth the Democrats of Alabama could find no | palliation for unfairness in connection with the franchise.
 These pledges were made by Democrats | for Democrats and to Democrats in every County in the State. The leaders of the party. the public speakers and the Demo- cratic newspapers all united In the assur- ance that henceforth there were to be no more ballot-box frauds. The people were told that-the negro had been eliminated and with that elimination went all cause or alleged cause, for any form of unfair | ness.
 The honor, the credit and the veracity of the Democratic party is involved in this matter. The pledges made by 1t and for 1t must be kept inviolate or the party will be discredited and the State dis s. -;.wl,k to carry out both the letter and spirit of the law but it is simple and easy. The two great parties will have tickets in the field and these tickets will have repre- sentatives in all the counties. In every precinct and ward and voting place in Alabama the Republican ticket should be represented on the boards of election managers by reputable white men chosen by themselves, if such men can be found This will be fair and just and nothing else will be. This will be redeeming Democratic pledges and nothing else will.
 The Democracy of Alabama has noth- | ing to fear from an honest election, but it
 has much to fear from any other kind,
 for dishonesty will be disgrace, violated
 pledges and the certainty that no prom
 ises of justice and fairness will be listen-
 ed to in future. We can elect our ticket | without giving cause or occasion for the
 slightest suspicion. If we cannot elect
 the ticket fairly and honestly then in | Heavens name let us be defeated and
 retain our self-respect as Democrats.
 In the name of justice and decency, in
 the name of the people of Alabama, in
 the name of white Democracy let us have
 an absolutely fair election in November. ! -S-S-
 The Dothan Home Journal suggests
 Houston as good and proper name
 for their new County. Houston was one
 of Alabamas great men, who rendered
 the State much efficient service. but we
 wish more of our new counties had been
 named for Alabamians who were promi-