The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-05
JOHNSTON'S ATTACK
WAS UNPROVOKED
3. A. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN OF
THE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC Elk
ECUTIvE COMMITTEE, REPLIES
TO CARD ABOUT STATE DELE
GATES.
To the Editor of the AgeHerald.

To the Editor of the Age Herald:
Sunday mornings Age-Herald contains
card signed by Joseph Il. Johnston,
which is most unprovoked assault upon
me as chairman of the county democratic
executive committee. And incidentally,
he arraigns the subcommittee of the
county executive committee, who are
charged by the full committee with the
conduct of the primary election.
Said card is misleading, and In several
instances the facts are not correctly stat
ed For the last three weeks, discussion
has been going on regarding the selec-
ton of candidates for delegates. These
discussions have been amongst demo-
Gratis, and always open as far as | know.
He certainly does not state a fact when
he says that / have been a party to any
caucus. l have never attended one and
as far as | know. none WAS ever held.
The question of a delegation was dis
cussed by me before the subcommittee
at their first meeting. but they then de-
cded to have nothing to do with select
ing n delegation, a conclusion In which
/ fully concurred.
The gentlemen who compose the dele
cation headed by Captain Frank S. White
agreed among themselves, and after indi-
vidual conferences with other democrats
to submit their names as delegates. The
party plan provided they could do so. 1t
never occurred to them that Governor
Johnston might not approve of their ac-
ton. What followed? Governor John
ston says After consultation with sew
eral gentlemen. we decided to puff out .
ticket" which was done. No one so far
as | am informed has questioned their
right to do so. 1t seems that the COVER
nor fears that the White delegation might
favor the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland
He can rest easy, not a man on II favors
his nomination. Their platform Is an UNI
instructed delegation.
Now as to the printing of the ticket;
what should the committee have done?
Two separate and distinct delegations
had been fled No democrat had filed
his individual application There was no
law, and no precedent, for an alphabet
cal arrangement: in fact. the unbroken
custom in this county has been to elect
our delegates on separate ballots for our
county conventions. We have some times
voted direct for the candidate for COVER
nor and allowed him to name the dele
CATION.
The governor says he Is opposed to ma
chine politics. In that / most heartily
concur and If he is sincere. there Is no
cause Cor differences on that point.
The governor must know that the sub
committee had nothing to do with nam
ing these two tickets. the newspapers
and public did that. If he has any Just
cause OF complaint. he should make 1t
to the proper source.
The concluding paragraph Of his letter
seems to me uncalled for SO far as |
know there Is no man in this county who
objects to his becoming a candidate, nor
a delegate. but ne should remember that
there are other democrats who have
served the party as loyalty, and as faith
fully as he. and who have never received
the rewards that ne has received ami
he should not object so strenuousy to
their seeking a party office without COM
pensation. 3. A. THOMPSON.