The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-14
COMMITTEE
 MEETS TODAY Members Will Assemble
 in City Hall. AN IMPORTANT MEETING A Division is Liable on Sevsral
 Matters. ChaIrman Henderson Says He VIII op- pose Nominatien by the Com
 mittee--Thomas H. Clark
 Makes statement as to positfon.


 The Democratic Executive Commit tee of the Second Congressional Dis trict will meet in the Council Chamber in the City Hall at noon today to con- sider plans for an election for the se- lection of a nominee for the office re- gently vacated with the death of the Hon. A. A. Wiley. Chairman W. A. Henderson. of the Committee, said yes> terday that he did not believe that the Committee would be called upon to con- slider the convention plan of nomina- ton as the primary plan seemed to be desirable to all the members of the Committee and to the candidates who are expected to offer their names to the party for nomination.
 The matters to be considered by the Committee are the naming of a day for the primary election, if, as 1t now seems sure. the primary plan is adopt cd, and the calculation of assessments against candidates for the nomina- ton.
 The members of the Executive Com mittee are: c. P. Deming of Conc cuh; W. A. Henderson of Montgomery. J. H. Bradshaw of Covington. A. E. Gamble of Butler. W. B. Martin of Crenshaw, S. D. Bloch of Wilcox, c. W. l.. Smith of Escambia, B. Feist of Baldwin. and o. c. Wiley of Pike,
 Chairman Henderson said yesterday that he was opposed to the sentiment of giving to Capt. o. c. Wiley of Pike brother. Mir. Henderson said that he thought that the chosen candidate ought to be selected for both terms and that he would oppose any other plan.
 Thomas H Clark. who may be can didate for theS short term, made the following statement yesterday in re- gard to the possible selection of can- didate for the nomination by the Ex- ecutive Committees:
 Considerable gossip has been start ed as the result of reading Section 51s of the new Code regarding vacancies in nominations by a political party. This section reads as fellows:
 Tn case of a vacancy in a nomina- tion by death. resignation or otherwise, after the certificate has been filed by the Probate Judge or Secretary of State, 1t may be filed and certified in the same manner as originally made and certified, or in such manner as the governing authority of the party may determine
 "By this, according to construction placed upon 1t by lawyers yesterday, is meant that the Second District Ex. ecutive Committee, of itself, can name the Democratic candidate for the reg. ular term of Congressman to succeed the late Col. A. A. Wiley. provided 1t cares to. The chances are that the committee will not avail itself of the option, but will order a primary, eith- CT for a majority or plurality rule.
 ''The intimation in the news columns of The Advertiser that the Democratic Congressional Executive Committee might assume the power to nominate a candidate to i'll out the unexpired term of the late Hon. A. A. Wiley is one, that as a runor has been bruited about Montgomery for several days. I have heard it in various quarters. My own name has been mentioned in con- nection with the unexpired term and this fact must be my sufficient warrant for this communication. ~.
 "So far have not been able to de- termine whether or not would ofrer for the short term. But l have not hesitated to say I should like the hon or of the position. have not arl- nounced as a candidate because l have waited on the official declaration that a vacancy existed, on the call by the Governor for a special election and on the action of the Executive Comittee fixing the condition under which the primary would be held.
 Right now find myself confronted with the possibility that the commit tee may, as to the unexpired term, draw into their own hands the whole power of the Democracy of the district and exert this by naming candidate of their own to be voted for. I had in no wise counted on such a course being taken. It could hardly have been anticipated. Would not this be usurpAtlon on the part of the Commit tee? Where can the Justification be found? If there is good ground in req rn force to filling the long term2
 There will be very little trouble in holding a primary to nominate for the unexpired term The voter must mark his ticket twice in voting for Con gressmen in November. He can just as handily mark his ticket twice at the primary; and this would ensure an act ual and not a fictitious choice for the short term as well as an actual and not a fictitious choice for the full term.
 T write this still undecided whether I shall offer for the short term or not. I want to learn the conditions of the contest. But for myself and any other possible candidates. protest against an un-Democratic assumption Of pow CT by the Committee, if in truth they have 1t in contemplation to nominate for the short term. Should it so turn out that there is only one candidate for this place. he and his friends, in not succumbing to the present temptation, may congratulate themselves they have maintained and not violated sound Democratic traditions. Should he have oposition. his opponent or opponents would rejoice-I am sure should re- joice-once more to meet face to face the high minded Democrats of the Sec ond District and discuss with them and before them the pressing questions of dav