The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-09
HOW TOAMEND
 CONSTITUTION Officials De1iberating on
 Vital Question. HOW TO PREPARE BALLOTS Senator Bankhead Conferred at
 Capitol Yesterday. Bessemer Lawyer. Claim a Separate Ballot should be Prepared for
 Amendments--Three Amend
 mcnts to be Voted On.
HOW TO PREPARE BALLOTS

Before leaving last night for Nortf Alabama Senator John H. Bankheat called at the Capitol yesterday for 6 cohference with Attorney General Ale, M. Garber on the question of a ballot Tor the constitutional amendments to be voted on at the general election in November. The Senator also conferred with Cyrus B. Brown, chief clerk oi the Secretary of State, who is in charge during the absence of that official from Montgomery.
 So confident is Senator Bankhead that the overton amendment for good roads will triumph that he is almost indifferent as to whether the amend ment is placed on a separate ballot on November g.
 The amendment will carry in can ter" was remark the distinguished advocate and champion Of the good roads amendment made.
 Yet in their certainty the advocates of constitutional amendments are often concerned about the political machinery which must be relied upon to register the will of the people. The Senator. like all other friends of the amend ments to be voted on, wants the largest poll of votes that can be gotten. And ton of a separate ballot.
 It seems after all that the question of putting the substance of the amend ments on the same or separate ballots from that which will bear the names of candidates for office will be one for Chairman H. S. D. Mallory. of the State Democratic Executive Committee. to decide. Of course there is no au- thority for leaving it to Mir. Mallory. He would be placed in the position of a referee in the matter for the sake of uniformity in election management in every county of the State and espe- cially since the law seems silent on this subject.
 The Secretary of State. Hon. Frank N. Julian, it is believed, will not at- tempt to assume any authority in the matter He Is naturally interested. of course, to the extent of securing uni- formity of action fin all counties in or- der to make the final count and cam vass of the votes regular.
 The difference Of opinion on the ball. lot problem will probably continue to the last minute before the election. Some contend that the placing of the amendments on the same ballot will poll a larger vote on each of the amendments than putting them on sep arate ballots. Others hold to the op- posite view. They clamor for separate ballots. Among these are said to be large coterie of prominent lawyers or Rassemer who are SOilCltOuS LoE tnS passage of the amendment for the for- nation of new counties.
 Separate ballots will no doubt com plicate the counting of votes and it is etiIl asked why, If separate ballots are urged for the proposed amendments. there should not be separate baIloe for each proposition. Each amendment must stand on It's own bottom and the count on each must be made separate.
 No word has been received in Mont. rornery as to Mfr. Mallory's opinion or the matter. It is believed that ms voice will have some weight Tn tne matter. An effort will be made to get word to the election officers in eacn county advising of the correct ballot
 There is no longer doubt as to what will form the basis of counting the vote on the amendments. Section 2S4 of the Constitution of 1901 specifically nrovides that the majority necessary to adopt the amendment shall De a ma ioritv of the votes cast on each single amendment. The votes cast at the gen" sraI election will not form the denom" inator. as was once thought.
 Senator Bankhead left last night Tor St. Clair County where he will speak in support of the good roads amendt ment.