The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-15

plish the ends for which they were in- tended. Any extension of these powers is only to be brought about by the consent of the states themselves given in the man. ner prescribed in the constitution. The suggestion that their extension can be &C., complished by strained judicial construc tion or by executive usurpation to meet the purposes of those, who for the time being are in possession of governmental power, merits universal execration and should be rebuked at the polls by the votes of free people. Constitutions, state and national, were intended to stand the strain and stress of popular excitement and a strict observance of the constitu- tional limitations Imposed on government tai power is essential to the preservation of our liberties.
 President Dictator.
 'The republican President has dictated to the Congress and he has harshly criti- cised the decisions of the courts he has sought to enlarge the powers of the gen. eral government beyond it's constitutional grant and to curtail the constitutional rights of the states to exercise exclusive power over their domestic affairs. We urge the election of a President who will support and defend the constitution as 1t has been written and will himself observe and bear its limitations by treating the congresses and superior court as co-ordi- nate and not as subordinate departments of the government, and who will recog nize the constitutional limitations on execu-
 tive power to the end that the executive, the legislative and the judicial depart ments of our government, as constitu- tionally defined, may be preserved unto the future as they have come to us from the past. The present tariff law enacted by the republican party has increased the cost of the necessities of life to the people; it has burdened many industries to subsidize few, and has promoted the formation of gigantic industrial trusts and fostered the establishment of odious monopolies. We demand the immediate revision of the tariff by the friends of the people.
 lndorsement of Gray.
 We favor the enforcement of all laws enacted by the Congress and the. prosecu- ton of all violators thereof to the full ex- tent of the law, both civil and criminal, regardless of whether the violater be rich or poor; to this end we demand especial ly that the Sherman antitrust act shall
 be enforced against all monopolies and not simply against a select few. Holding these views we present to the democracy of our sister states the name of George Gray as our candidate for the presiden- tial nomination. Without disparagement of other statesmen whose names have been suggested, we believe that George Gray is the democrat in whom the Amer ican people can most safely put their trust His devotion to the constitution, his sympathetic union with the great masses of the people his passionate devo- tion to justice and right and his modesty and moderation of character mark him as the man best fitted to lead our govern ment to the better and safer ways which made it glorious in the days of tho fathers of the republic. His personality and career illustrate the reform which the evils of our times demand His recti- tude is most pure and beyond the reach of any selfish motives. His judgment is sound mature and far-seeing and his patriotism and civic courage have been | tested by many years of exalted public | service In urging his nomination we are l not inspired by any ambition on his part , nor animated by mere state pride; but 1 we are ilnpelled by profound conviction
 that his nomination will insure a victory
 for our party at the polls, and great !, wise and progressive democratic admins 1 tration of the general government. We | therefore direct and instruct the delegates l this day elected to support advocate and ] vote for George Gray for the presiden- ! tiaI nomination at the democratic na- 1 tional convention"
 1 MT. Bayard read the Gray letter tc l the delegates and the convention there upon adopted resolution instructing del l egates to the convention at Denver te
 vote as a unit on all matters. This means l that in acceptance with the indorsemen l of Judge Gray in the platform the dele gates will vote for him at Denver.
 After ratifying the selection of nationa | delegates and alternates by the county | deIegations the convention adjourned. Judge Gray's declaration contained il