The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-26

cratic President. down to this goot
 day.
 Democracy above all things else he said. stands for progress" 1 In reply to insistent calls Hon. Ed, ward l.. Russell of Mobile, took the l platform. He was introduced by | Chairman Whitson, as one whom the whole State loved. He was, he said | much gratified at the gracious honor | done him.
 | T have never before been a candi. date." said Mr. Russell, but like 1t. | am pleased with my experience and may be candidate again because | this convention has spoiled me The existing political conditions of this country afford great encouragement to the Democrats. The long lease or ab- | solute power by the Republicans has | resulted as is usual in sucl cases: they have fallen out over the spells of of flee. They are at present engaged In fierce, factional fights over the distri- button of patronage and the various State and Federal offices to be filled. The Republicans were so frightened leadership of Hon. John Sharpe Will Hams. that they hastened to adjourn Congress"
 This allusion to the brilliant Missis- sippian brought forth an enthusiastic burst of applause.
 Continuing MT. Russell said that in view of existing conditions, delegates from the Southern States should con fer with delegates from the pivotal States and be influenced by their choice This. he declared, would be his course at St. Louis. He endorsed the candidacy of Judge Alton B. Parker, alluding to him 1ntra Democrat. He paid an eloquent tribute to Judge Parker. VI
 Congressman William Richardson was next called to the stand. In thanking the Convention for the honor it has paid him. he denounced the Republicans for cowardly postponing every important piece of legislation. That Congress, in it's short session. he said, had established the unparalleled record of spending sS0o.- oooOOO. He alluded to the gross corrup- ton that existed in the Postodlce De- partment. He was. he said, a member Of the special Congressional Committee which investigated the charges of post office fraud. That Committee, he said stood in the face of the most corrunt situations. He announced that he favor ed Judge Parker and the announcement met with applause.
 REPRESENTATION
 SPRINGS A FIGHT.
 Chairman s. J. Bowie of the Commit tee on Platform and Resolutions, pre- sented the report of his Committee When the reading had been completed. Senator D. M. Powell of Butler, moved that the paragraph, relating to the change tn representation, should be amended by the insertion of the word white" This changed entirely the tenor of the Com mittee's report. It provided that repre- sentation in the State Convention should not be on a basis of the total population but on the basis of the white population
 The amendment sprung a fight and threw the convention in disorder The delegates crowded around the plaform and there were cheers and counter cheers. With difficulty, Chairman Whitson restored sufficient order for the convention to proceed. State Sem ator Powell still held the floor. He was encouraged by a rural delegate at his side, who cried out repeatedly, Co 1t Dempse."
 When a semblance of quiet had been restored, Senator Powell said:
 We have felicitated the State on the restoration of white supremacy. In order to be consistent, we must have representation based on the white population and not on the negro popu- lation. No man can be so unfair as to say that one white mans vote should count more than another's"
 L. E. Jeffries, of Dallas, moved that the amendment be tabled
 Senator Powell demanded a roll call.
 The Chair recognized Hon. Richard H. Clarke, of Mobile. Holding his hat in his hand. Mir. Clarke stood a few feet in front of the platform. His face set with determination. a strong and impressive figure. He rose for a parliamentary enquiry. In slow, in- cisive tones. he asked:
 'Is not the amendment by the gen tleman from Butler the same sort of legislation proposed by Crumpacker in the Republican House of Congress? What reply will the South be able 10 make to Crumpacker when he comes again before Congress with his leEis- lation and asks. Is not Alabama bas- ing her representation on white popu- lation in line with the legislation I propose? Should not a county too. be given represeptation for the taxes 1t pays?"
 wild shout of applause greeted this chain of questions from MT. Clarke.
 Ernest l.. Blue, of Bullock, also arose to a point of parliamentary enquiry. He wanted to know if the Democrats of the Black Belt, who for year after hn rIr