The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-05
DEFENDERS HAY CALL
 DEMOCRATS TOGETHER

said yesterday. The primary Is here to stay and the people will insist on selecting candidates for Governor un- der it. But do believe that the State Executive Committee should cail | a Democratic convention at which the assembled wisdom of the party should put forth a declaration of principles.
 "Undeniabiy this is a serious time for the party. The selection of this man or that man as Governor might not settle existing Issues. but 1t might on the other hand. accentuate the dit- ferences among our people. A party declaration on existing issues would c'arify the situation. If the state EN- ecutive Committee refuses to call convention, the defenders of the Con- stitution should call another confer ence, adopt a platform and go before the people on 1t. Every candidate Tn the primary should pledge himself to support the platform. or failing to do that, bear the opposition Of the men who opposed the amendment In Ala bama."
 if will he seen from these state ments. that a unique and exceptional political condition prevails In Ala bama While a factionA--the faction which controlled the political affairs for the past three years in Alabama was overwhelmingly defeated. II could not be truthfully said that an- other faction won the victory. The union of forces was so large and so comprehensive, that claim of fac tional victory is not made. Nor has there been any disposition among the defender leaders to assert the right to control in politics because a victory was won.
 There is a disposition throughout the state to let the rank and file of the defenders govern the future course of politics. No leader is in- sisting that this ought to be done. that ought to be done or that this man or that man should become candidate for Governor. In fact that great mass of Alabama voters who destroyed the amendment by the overwhelming majority of 27.0o0 is at present without a spokesman. or an acknowledged chief.
 Moody is Discussed. Senator Frank S. Moody. who op- posed the proposition in the past from the start, and who opposed every form of radicalism in the last Legislature has been practically put into the race by his fellow citizens in Tuscaloosa county. In a largely attended mass meeting a set of resolutions was pass ed demanding of him that he run for Governor. Senator Moody informed the committee that he would deliber- ate over the question and announce his decision In a few days.
 The Tuscaloosa mass meeting was participated In by the leading amend CTS as well as the defenders of Tus- caloosa county.
 is regarded as a certain candidate. When the prohibition race was at It's height Mir. O'Neal severely criticized the political leaders who abandoned local option and he protested against all of the drastic legislation passed at the various extra sessions. He was leader in planning and carrying for ward the work of the Montgomery Conference, which was so instrument al in defeating the amendment. He played conspicuous part in the cam paign and he has many friends urg- ing his candidacy.
 Senator Robert E. Spragins of Huntsville, who made an exceptional reputation for independence in the last Legislature is prominent pros pective candidate for Governor Sem ator Spragins opposed every radical measure offered during the various sessions of the Legislature. He took the position that local option was the declaration of the party and that com mon honesty demanded that ssst this pledge to the people be kept until the party met again in convention and substituted a new declaration. Sen ator Spragins has an attractive per- sonality, plenty of courage and is an effective stump speaker.
 There is considerable approval of the suggestion that Former Governor William D. Jelks be drafted into ser vice again and be made a candidate for Governor. If is pointed out that the big deficit in the State Treasury is bound to figure in the next cam paign. Some political seers believe that the deficit and the distressing condition of the State Treasury will cut as much figure in the campaign as the temperance or prohibition question.
 The signal ability with which the former Governor managed the State Treasury during his term of office has given the State great confidence In the former Governors business ability. It is argued that the State will next time need just such a Cover nor to recover from its heavy ftnan- clal troubles.
 Talk of Syd Bowie.
 Then there is talk of former Con- gressman sydney J. Bowie. Mir. Bowie voluntarily retired from Congress. when it Is acknowledged he could have serv- ed as long as he chose. MT. Bowie played conspicuous part in the cam paign. He was one of the most ef- fective speakers against the amend ment on the stump and he went from one end of the State to the other in opposition to the amendment.
 In the Fourth District. which he