The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-14
THE MAN FOR THE PLACE.

in progress for positions to be nlled two and three years hence. 1t is none too early fpr Alabamians to be casting about and considering the claims of those who may desire their support.
 We take 1t for granted that the Ex- ecutive Committee of the party will, at the night time. order a primary cleo ton as the mode. of securing the nomi- nations that are to be made. The primary has so far worked well. and given satisfaction to an immense ma jority of those who have the right to have their wishes respected. A con- ventAon might please a few. who de- pend more upon chicanery and manip- ulaaion than in respecting the will and wishes of the voters. There is no call for a convention. by suficient num- Der of voters to make the matter wor- thy of serious consideration by the Committee.
 As all State ofIicers are now elected for four years 1t is necessary to exer- else great good judgment in making selections. Heretofore If mistakes weret made the errors could be correct ed at the end of two years. Lengthen- ing of. terms increases the responsible ity of those who are to do the choos- ing. The State is to be congratulated upon. the fact that under the operation of the first primary such selections were made as were ereditable to the voters and to the State. Care must be taken that similar good fortune shall be our povtion next year.
 The Advertiser hopes that whatever may be the result. it will be such as to leave the party harmonious and united. The fate of the Democratic Party is not wrapped up in one idea. It has many great principles which have been regarded as fundamental from the date of organization until Che present time. These should not be subordinated to other matters, which can be taken care of in the general carrying out of Democratic policies.
 In reviewing the whole situation. and considering what we deem as best for the Democratic Party. present and fu- ture, we have reached the conclusion that Hon. Russell M. Cunningham, of Jefferson County. as nominee for Gov ernor will best meet all the conditions which now present themselves. No one can dispute his ability. for that has been demonstrated too often and in too many ways to be a subject of discus- sion. As a legislator he was conserv- alive. judicial minded, and ever watch full of the States best interests. His record in both houses is one upon which he can look back with serene confidence and pleasure. 1t should not be forgotten that to his vote are we in- debted for the law which made the Railroad Commission an elective body. If 1t had been cast in the negative the While he was a member of the Senate many important measures relating to the finances of the State and all the State institutions were under con- sideration and his voice and vote were always in the right direction. The credit for inaugurating the present method of utilizing convict labor be- longs to the administration of Govern or Jelks and the present Convict Board but 1t is due to Lieutenant Governor Cunningham to say that he had for a long while been an advocate of that policy. He has always favored meas ures. which. while increasing State revenue. would at the same time inn prove sanitary conditions. minimize to the utmost harsh treatment, and help of the State.
 As President of the Senate, while a Senator. and afterwards by virtue of being Lieutenant Governor. he earned the regard of all his associates by his f1rmness and wisdom in the chair. showing that in any position which he was called to fill. he was equal to any and every emergency.
 When by reason of i'll health. brought on largely by constant confinement in discharge of his duties. Governor Jelks had to leave Alabama for an indefinite period 1t was a blessing to the State that his mantle could fall on the broad and capable shoulders of such man as Lieutenant Governor Cunningham. His accurate information about State affairs made the duties lighter than they would have appeared to an mex perienced man and we are safe in saying that no man ever met the re- responsibilities of the position more ac- ceptably and more intelligently than did Governor Cunningham. He has amply demonstrated his fitness for the office of Governor of Alabama.
 From one end of Alabama to the other he is known as a courageous Democrat. who has never faltered. and whose services have ever been at the command of those who bore the party standards. No man in Alabama has done more service for the Democratic Party than Lieutenant Governor Gun ningham. He is courteous. kind and considerate. but unyie1ding on ques-
 tions of principle. Cur people can
 well rejoice if the choice of the Demo-
 crats for Governor of Alabama falls
 upon Russell M. Cunningham.
 In a speech at Greenville, s. C., on
 the Fourth of July, Senator Ben Till
 man got off this: