The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-10

tee to consider the desires or the peu7 pie of the State of Alabama, and while 1t may be generally stated that the people of the State of Alabama want to see our present representatives in the Senate of the Edited states die Tn the harness they have so long and honorabiy worn in service so grandly performed for the State of Alapima- while that may be true, and doubtless Is true, yet MT. Chairman, there IS put one thing certain in this life, and that Is death. That is true of men who have reached the age which our Sena- tors have reached, and while we desire to retain them throughout their life, yet the time does come to consider the question of their successors. It Is no reflection Jn them, and God knows the members of your subcommittee mean 1t as no reflection. But 1t Is a fact recognized necessarily by all, them selves included. and for that reason, MT. Chairman, we have recommended that the people of Alabama throughout the State have an opportunity and be afforded an opportunity for expressing their choice as a recommendation to the Governor Of Alabama for an appoint ment to fill any vacancy which may oc- cur in this great office
 Pledge of Governor.
 "The Governor of the State of Ala bama, or any other State, In making an appointment to fill such vacancy should be governerd and controlled by the wishes of the majority of the people throughout the whole State with no question of constitutional provision, or representation in the Legislature of consideration of appointment by the Governor to i'll such vacancy. He Is the servant of the people; the servant of the people who nominated and elected him, and we submit 1t Is but right. The servant certainly should not be higher than the master, and he should obey the instructions of those who put him in the honorable office; and therefore, we have provided that the people of Alabama shall have right, and the Democrats of Alabama and thank God, your State, the great bulk of the intelligent people of the State, white people. l mean, are Demo- crats-that they have an opportunity to expr ,ss their choice as to who should succeed present Senator, or any other who may be elected.
 For that reason we have provided for this vote for recommendation to the Governor for appointment to fill any vacancy. and can any man object to 1t who accepts the nomination st the hands of the Democratic Party who goes before the people and says, Make me your servants I will carry out your wishes Can any man object? We care not who that man may be, Is he greater or more powerful than the people? Is his whim or personal friendship greater than the wishes of the great majority of the voters of the State of Alabama in filling a vacancy in this great office? Why, surely not And yet, without expression by the Demo- crats of Alabama of their choice for successors to our present great Sem ators then it would be within the whim of whoever is nominated Governor to appoint his personal friend; one who. may be, the people of Alabama would not choose to fill that great office for several years. because you must re- member the Legislature of Alabama as- sembles but once in four years and the Governor appoints until the Legislature elects. ..
 For that reason we made this pro- vision, and we deem it but just and fair that he who becomes a candidate for Governor in this primary, or for Lieutenant Governor, who may become Governor in, the exigency of the death of the Governor, or his inability to serve, that such candidate should stand as pledged as becomes a candidate be- fore this Democratic Party, to abide by the wishes of the majority of the Dem OCTdllc VOISSFb III SUCH pElHldIyS HOl tO submit to the dictation of this Com mittee, because whatever criticisms have been visited on this Committee. and they are many, whatever charges have been made against 1t, and they are multitudinous. l stand here to say and defy successful contradiction. that this Committee of the State of Ala bama have wielded more absolutely po- ltical power than that in any State in the United States of America, and with fairness and discretion have given to the voters and the people any right that any man could ask.
 'I say that MT. Chairman, on be- half of the Committee, not as composed of its present membership, but as com posed for the last six or eight years, where they have done as best they knew, many contrary to their personal convictions in order to carry out the wishes of the great body of the party.
 Wishes of the Party.
 Now, Mir. Chairman, no man, 1t seems to me- could object to the several things which your sub- committee have put in this report in requiring pledge from he whomsoever may be nomi- mated as Governor that he will carry out the wishes of the majority of the Democrats of Alabama. l say no reas- enable man, no fair man, can consider | that as infringing upon any rights. privileges. or prerogatives, and in the name of Heaven, when did we reach that stage when any one man could reach the state of absolute ruler or boss in the State?