The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-10
Gather for State Convention in
Montgomery
Conner FORCES WILL LEAD
Fight on Selection of State Democratic
Executive Committee viii
Probably Be the Real
Contest Today.

Montgomery, September 9.-(Special y
The lobby of the New Exchange was
full of Alabama politicians from early
evening until after midnight. All are here
for the state democratic convention which
meets at noon tomorrow. At a late hour
the outlook was good for peaceful set
tlement of differences and a fairly har-
monious session of the assembled demo-
Gratis.
While there are scores of new faces, one
is impressed with the large number of
the same old crowd that has made up
part of the convention for years, all nine
of the members of Congress being on the
ground early with the venerable Senator
Pettus to round out the national legis-
ilation contingent Former Governor
Joseph f. Johnston mingled with the
multitude also, as did most Of the other
nominees of the state primary.
After a prolonged conference in the
Conner headquarters, it was told on the
quiet that an agreement has been reached
for the organization of the convention
and most of the details, the only thing
about which there seemed to be a great
difficulty being the selection of the execu-
tive committee, the Conner forces desiring
TO name it entirely and the opposition
not agreeing to this idea altogether how
ever. The opposition seemed willing for
the Conner men to take pretty much all
In sight At one time the matter hinged
on the action of the Mobile delegation.
1t demanded of the Conner crowd in re-
turn for its twenty-one votes the selec-
n III l.. L.. 4 -, 1,,rFc
been accepted with the proviso that all
the others of the district be named by the
rate reformers. 1t was early agreed that
the temporary organization would be
made permanent, Reed Barnes of Opelika
chairman and Bob Mel of Selma secre-
tary. The committees of the convention
were also selected with representation for
each faction.
The fight on the executive committee is
the real contest it appears tonight.
A great effort will be made to defeat
George w. Jones, on the committee from
the Second district, but his friends claim
1t will fail.
Conner Forces to Lead.
The fact is, there seems a disposition to
let the Conner people have every thing
coming to them. There are some one hum
dred resolutions to be presented endors-
Ing Bryan, says John w. Tomlinson, and
1t will also be a part of the platform. A
resolution will be presented and likely
pass endorsing the administration of Gov
ernor Jelks. 1t is not thought tonight
that there will be any serious attempt to
defeat Mcclellan and Dowdell. leaders in
the primary for associate justices.
The sentiment so far as developed indi-
eating a disposition to let the expressed
will of the people stand Bilbro, it is un-
derstood will not agree to any proposition
of combining against Judge Dowdell.
Chief Justice Weakley has written Judge
Tyson letter congratulating him on his
nomination to the chief justceship.
Just about midnight 1t was learned that
both sides proposed to fight on both the
plan and the personnel of the executive
committee. A leader Of the al1ti-Comer
forces said: 1--WE are going to fight and
win. The idea of taking from the districts
the right to home rule is not relished by
even the Conner forces
A friend of George w. Jones of this
city said: 1--WE will elect him if the men
who are with us tonight stick"
A Conner leader put 1t this way: I'VE
tried to reach an agreement that would
have meant peace but the other side
would not fall in with It, hence it is up to
them. We are going to elect the COM
mittee." The platform will endorse Bry-
an, declare for radical rate reform, bet
ter common schools and more money for
old soldiers.