The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-12
TILT0N EXPLAINS
HIS ATTITUDE
SAYS HE IS AN INDEPENDENT AND
HAS NOT BEEN CONSULTED
ABOUT RUNNING ON THE REPUB-
LICAN TICKET
To the Editor of The Age-Herald;

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
In your paper yesterday 1T is stated
in substance that 1 have been agreed
upon for lieutenant governor on the re-
publican ticket and had consented to
make the race. This Is a mistake | cam
not answer as to what agreements have
been made, but | most certainly have
not been advised to them, much less given
my approval.
AS | have no wish to sail under false
colors will thank you for space to make
was counted a democrat Since then |
have been called republican. The fact
is there has been no change in my politi-
cal convictions or affiliations l have been
and am now an independent in every
sense of that much abused word. The
only change in my views Is this; / feel
the time has come when men, regard
less Of occupations, must give more at
tention to public questions. voice their
opinions openly and honestly and take an
active part in politics wherever the cause
of good government Is concerned. The
other course, 30 common In the SOUTH
prompted by fear of losing caste or bus-
ness. Is cowardly
The evidences In recent years are quite
sufficient to prove that party names are
meaningless and that the machinery of
both Old pasUes Is no longer responsive
to the current patriotic thought of the
nation as. represented by insurgency,
either republicans or democratic. Party
machinery has become the handle of the
skillet, most useful implement to keep
a few bosses from jumping out of the
frying pan into the fire OF public Bepudia-
ton.
1t is also apparent that an even Gal
ance Of political power is essential to
secure efficient and progressive govern
ment and especially so II We in the south
hope to have our section once again
exercise its rightful voice in the nation.
If ever party deserved a whipping it is
the democracy of Alabama for the way
this state has been mismanaged since
1906. That we have a solid south is the
only reason they won't get 1t.
In short as 1 see the situation the
hour is at hand when principle must be
placed above party regularity except for
the select few whose proclivities can best
be guaged by their proximity to the pie
counter. When one party has betrayed
its trust. give the opposition an inning.
II the opposition falls to score, whip the
two Of them with new leaders.
While I have decided views on both
state and national questions this Ia not
the place to express them further than
to say | am like a majority Of my fell
low citizens in the ''unruly Seventh" a
Roosevelt man, in sympathy with west
ern nsurgent tendencies and feel that
the last 80 days has thoroughly justified
the faith of the colonel IN his friend Mr..
Taft The President has shown himself
A good pinch hitter In the ninth and what
he will do for the tariff before his term
is over VIII satisfy the most fastidous.
believe In the south and Its future. l
believe the bloody Shirt has been worn
out in the wash and that the south Is
soon to regain position In the nation
In keeping with the traditions of the
past. One way to hasten this happy day
is to build up a sturdy opposition to the
dominant democracy. Very truly,
M'LANE TILTON. JR
Birmingham, July II, 1910.