The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-12
Plan Discussed to Remedy the
 Political Situation ONE REMEDY IS OFFERED
Report That the President Is contem- plating an Early Visit to Geor- gia Turns Out to Be
 Erroneous.
BY PATTERSON sTEALEY.

BY PATTERSON STEALEY.
 Washington, November 11-(Special.)- gro pit the northern democracy against the republican party the south to cast it's vote independently in the electoral col lege."
 A movement looking to this end Is all ready under discussion by several south ern democrats who. if the plan receives any encouragement, will urge it's ratifica- ton by the people of the southern states. How far-reaching 1t will be, whether it will ever amount to what it's advocates hope Is too far ahead to say but II is known that plans are on foot for serious consideration of the future course of the southern democracy in the national coun- cils.
 According to the present arrangement prominent democrats in and out of con- gress are to be asked to meet in Wash ington this winter to talk over the south's political future. Should this peaceful con ference materialize a resolution sub stantially as follows will be offered by southerp congressman:
 Resolution is Proposed.
 Resolved, That the democrats of the south do not send delegates to national democratic conventions; that the electors from the southern states maintain their old constitutional privilege and vote in the electoral college for that presidential candidate regardless of politics, who seems to them most likely to offer to the south its greatest advantages.
 Should such a resolution be passed 1t would be referred to the several state committees and by them to the people Of the states for ratification.
 A southern member of congress in dis cussing the proposed plan said today;
 Tn my opinion the only hope for the south is independent political action-a cutting loose from the mugwumpery and cowardice of the northern democracy, The comparison is odious, but the negro vote in nine cases out of ten controls the doubtful states and the presidency. There is no reason why the south. with something like 15o votes, should not hold the balance of power and go independ- entIy into the electoral college and cast it's vote for that candidate least inimical to the interests of the peolpe of the south This will mean that the northern democracy is left free to evade and truckle as much it pleases. Independ- ently of southern sentiment it can go ahead and do what it thinks best to de- feat the republican party.
 Cast Vote Independently.
 "If from our standpoint it nominates a candidate in whom the south has con- fidence our electoral vote will be cast for him. The same is true of the repub- lican candidate or any other candidate Should we be unable to get something xUf aef our vote for a southern democrat. We had better lose with him than lose with Q candidate and platform only partially in sympathy with us. It seems to me that the time has been reached for some such course as above outlined. Flying in the face of decisions of the supreme court upholding the suffrage features of our state constitutions. the republican party comes out for a reduction of our congressional representation because we have excluded not negroes. but illiterates from exercising the rights of franchise.
 "WhateveT is left of the south should be for the south. The effect ought to be a good one on both the republican and northern democratic parties"
 South Should Assert Itself.
 ''I think the time has come for the so..th to assert itself and refuse to any longer follow the dictates of the northern democracy This was the declaration of Representative James Hay of Virgin ia.
 "The talk of a new party" said MT. Hay, Tor reorganization along radical lines should not be listened to by any true democrat A new party certainly could do no better than the old one, and there is no need of radical reorganiza- ton. The democrat should simply get together and stand for principles of true democracy We have sustained severer defeats than that of Tuesday and recov- cred In 1872 after the disastrous cam paign of Horace Greeley, 1t was freely predicted that the democratic party would cease to exist, but 1t lived to administer defeat to the republicans in 1884 and in 1892, and I see no reason why the demo- crats may not expect history to repeat itself"
 ..It is too early yet to talk about who the leaders will be. When the party gets together a leader can be found who will suit all elements of the party. 1t is im- possible to tell what the next four years may bring forth. Let the democrats take cheer; if they get together and present a soldier front to the opposition a leader will be found without any trouble.
 Will Ask for Peace.
 s'One result of this election will be that the south will no longer refrain from ask ing representation upon the national ticket If two southern men had been nominated at St. Louis the result could not have been worse. In fact, l believe that Missouri and Maryland would have been found in the democratic column in- stead of boosting the republican ma ioritv I am in favor of a southern man for President in 1908 and l believe that every southern state will demand this recognition when the time comes to nomi- nate a standard bearer four years from now. The question of availability should rule no longer"
 p.asiden+ NNiIl Moi Come South