The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-21

It's a pity that I'm not allowed to touch on politics in my public writ ings. I sometimes think there's a reason for it. I have arrived at the complimentary conclusion that the editors think I can write interestingly without mentioning politics while the other correspondents cannot. making me the victim of the doctrine of special favors.
 It appears to me I might be indulged a little in the forbidden subject just to stir up some interest. Of course 1t is unnecessary to waste any time on national politics. since our "beauti- full Southland" Is joined to its idol I believe the idol is not a calf. but Is appropriately represented in all the pictures as a descendant of Balaam intelligent saddle nag. No use to argue with a. people who worship at the shrine of such stubborn and superior mentality.
 was somewhat interested in the overshadowing local or district con- test-so overshadowing that only five or six men tore their shirts" about 1t. saw one of the candidates the other day. and candidly told him that to arouse interest and enthusiasm it will be or Is necessary to use some argu- ment.
 The poor fellow began. at once, to af- flict me with his views on the tariff, emergency, currency, initiative and referendum, the national banking sys- tenn. free coinage of silver and a long catalogue of subjects of which he Is as innocently ignorant as any and every other Democrat.
 Really I found him very interesting and entertaining as long as he con- finad himSaIf n ahnnt which he knows nothing and I cautioned him to continue in that way. which I am sure he intends to do to prove that he was born a Democrat. was rocked in a Democratic cradle" and was raised on Democratic milk, etc.
 I told him that. sometimes I vary this advice and get the public speaker This advice. however, can only be wise ly and safely given to one who has escaped from the birth and cradle environment of inaninity.
 Once was invited to go out and ad- dress a 4th of July assemblage on the subject-morality. was authoriz ed to invite. at least, one more speaker, suppose. as a kind of foil to my eloquence. I tried several preachers who modestly hesitated and then de- clined on the ground that morality is a little out of their line and that a "collection" is their Tong suit" So. I looked around and finally succeed ed in securing an old friend who is one of the best speakers in all the country, if not mistaken in himself.
 told him what was up" and that he must make the speech of his life. For all the ten miles of the trip l tutored him and cautioned him and impressed 1t upon him that he must not mention morals. politics or religion flor" said I. you don't know a thing about either!" He got along nicely and only occupied a few minutes of the valuable time which the people had set apart for me.
 Now. If our present able and distin- guished aspirant for obstructing legis- lation will only speak about things with which they are conversant. audi ences will not have to lose much time In hearing.
 Why as intelligent and well-informed ed as I am If I were going to "elucidate' emergency currency. l would have to be honest and tell the people that al I see in that remedial legislation Is this-that 1t was intended a s a measure of relief to the people and that. while Il is possible and tolerable for a Senator of any party to be sensible and vote In the interest of the people that it Is otherwise in the House of Repre- | sentatives-on the Democratic side. Il my memory serves me aright. Senators Morgan and Pugh once had to exer- else the senatorial prerogative of com- mon sense and save a great interest in Alabama from the Democratic zea of injury In the House. So. I have 1 concluded that just mental acumen tc
 vote against the interests of the people is sufficient equipment for s Southern member and therefore the people are perfectly indifferent tc other qualifications and take no inter est till candidate begins to use THE argument
 It has come to pass that the potent pleasant. persuasive argument is the dollar. Mind you the payment and re ceipt of the argument" is only bind | ing on the 'unpurchasable" elector til
 the next candidate has raised" the bid a quarter or fifteen cents or suct | a matter. And this is right. for candidly tell the man who has no more honor than to sell his vote that he owes 1t to his family and church tC sell 1t as often al he can and then vote | for whom he pleases; that the very | honorable man who, in this way, de-