The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-15
Greater Than Vanguard
Of Legislature.
HENDERSON AND MOODY
MAY BE CHAIRMEN
Friends Of Russell Seek for Him
the Honor.
AadVoriam seating Capacity Being
Enlarged, And Preparations To
=, Accemodate $500 People :.
Have Been Made, $500 to
1900 Delegates Elk
pected.

With an advance attendance of over
500 delegates last night. and with a
prospect of the attendance today of
5000, the confidence of the signers of
the call for q conference of Alabamians
to protest against constitutional pro-
hibition. that the meeting today will
be the greatest political convention
ever held In Alabama seem justified.
Aggressive determined and conf
the big gathering last night which
overflowed the hotel Hobbies was that
the people of Alabama were aroused
6ver fanatical and radical legislation
and that political revolution was at
hand.
This was the dominant thought in
the gathering---the conviction that
Alabama was undergoing a political
revolt. There was not man in the
crowd who did not believe that the
amendment would be Overwhelmingly
defeated.
At midnight last night, 1t was con-
ceded that senator Frank S. Moody, of
Tuscaloosa, would be permanent chair
man and deliver the principal address
at the gathering. 1t was certain that
Hon. Charles Henderson of Troy,
President of the Alabama Railroad
Commission, would be temporary
chairman and cali the big meeting to
order. Col. o. p. Gaut of Birming-
ham, and r. e. L. Mel, of Selma, will
in all probability be chosen as secre-
taries of the conference.
Resolutions COMMITTEES.
The Committee on Resolutions will
be more important than Is usual at a
political convention, because 1t will
draw up the declaration of principles
upon which the campaign Will be
fought out. to its finish. The head OF
this COMMITTEES VIM be either Hon
John 3. Knox, President 81 the Com
stitutional convention of 1901. or Hon.
t. l. Russell of Mobile.
The Declaration of Principles will
run much along the line of the strong
resolutions adopted at the Birming-
ham meeting. The campaign viii be
with the constitution and 1t viii be q
vital, aggressive protest against the
present state administration, Governor
Conner and the recklessness which
characterized recent legislation.
A strong campaign committee will
be named and o speakers bureau will
be organized from which speakers will
1t is confidently expected by the
leaders of the conference that the sup
porters of the amendment when they
meet tomorrow in Birmingham Will
endeavor to take down" Governor
Conner and Judge s. ID. Weakley. 1t
was expected that the friends of the
amendment. realizing the great popu-
lar strength of the opposition, will
endeavor TO get away from the Cover
nor and Judge Weakley and other
political features of the campaign. II
was the tone of the conference last
night not to permit this. but to fight
out the campaign according to the
way 1t was started.
Representative ]. Lee Long. of But
Ter. will In all probability. be chosen
manager of the campaign against the
amendment Mr.. Long took charge of
local HEADQUARTERS when a number of
well known gentlemen had declined
for various reasons. The political re-
volt now manifest was not expected
then. It was the consensus of opinion
that he would be retained in charge
of the headquarters during the cam
paign of two months and half.
Campaign Contributions.
( Contributions for the campaign will
be taken up at once. A collection will
probably be called for today. Mobile
has already sent in cash collection
of $780, DoubleN the amount could be
raised in Montgomery in one day and
If the call is made Mobile will supple
ment its fine contribution already
made All portions of the State will
be given an opportunity to contribute.
It was declared that the closest, the
strongest and the most aggressive
campaign ever launched in Alabama
would be behind the movement to beat
the amendment
L..
night as to the state of public senti-
ment were astonishing. 1t was said
repeatedly last night that IL the votes
should be taken during this week the
amendment would lose by at least 25,-
900 votes.
The unusual tribute paid by Col r.
f. L Russell, of Mobile by early
corners to the convention was a not
able feature of yesterday in the con-
ference gatherings. 1t is said that no
man in Alabama has a larger or
stronger circle of personal friends than
colonel Russell. This friendship was
manifested yesterday In the earnest
determination of many of the dele
gates to have him as chairman OF the
conference. From many sections there
were delegates insisting on his seIec-
ton. 1t was voluntary and compli-
mentary campaign. which would have
honored any man.
But Colonel Russell himself stopped
the movement. Finding out its pro-
portions he called number Of his
friends into conference and asked them
TO stop the movement. He was inter-
ested only In the success of the cam
paign against the amendment, and he
objected to any personal element no
matter how innocent or complimentary
being injected into it. He was eager
to render any service in his power to
the cause and preferred that the
honors of the meeting go to others.
Soon after the call order organiza-
ton will be effected. and committees
named. The committees, to get to
work Immediately, win be in session
during the afternoon. and report at
night.
one of the most prominent figures
In the convention will be John B. Knox.
of Admission. It Is likely that Mr..
Knox will be made chairman OF the