The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-24
.COL. KYLE WRITES
 VIGOROUS LETTER Submits Analysis of Present
 Political Situation MAKES NOVEL SUGGESTION Believes Election of o'NeaI to Cover norship Would Mark a New Era In Alabama-Writes From
 Florida.
MAKES NOVEL SUGGESTION


 the famous old guard of the state, whose influence was potent factor against the recently proposed constitutional amendment, has written vigorous let ter on the present political situation in Alabama. He writes:
 To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 see by the press reports that Boston has recently had non-partisan munich l pal election. I regard that action on the part of the citizens of Boston as the first move in the proper direction to- wards honest. prudent, conservative and economical government in city. state and county.
 Why is it, sir, that the voters in a state or municipal election, held to elect men to make or execute laws, or to de- eide Judicial questions, or to keep the records of state, county or municipali- ties are expected to be influenced in their choice of men to fill these high and re- sponsible positions by the fact that a
 man is a democrat or republican, or a prohibitionist? Why should not the ques- ton be. is he honest, is he capable. has he the education and experience to fit him to fill the position; has he been true to the people in the past and not to what party does he belong?
 When the people of Alabama adopted our present constitution, eliminating the corrupt negro vote and forever, as was hoped, putting it out of the power of carpetba ggers of the Brooks Lawrence stripe and scalawags and interruptions politicians to interfere with the making or execution of our laws; in fact, that the time had come in our state elections when it was the duty of every voter to cast his vote for the best men, true and tried men to fill all official positions in the state government and men who have never betrayed the people for any reason, neither for political preferment or for other unworthy motives.
 As see the political situation in Ala bama we have just come out of the most stenuous political campaign ever experienced in Alabama, a campaign in which the liberties of the people, the prosperity and welfare of the state were involved and by united efforts of the lib erty-loving voters of Alabama, without regard to party lines, but in strict com pliance with the platforms of both the democratic and republican parties on the question of prohibition, both parties being pledged to local option. we gained most glorious victory over fanaticism and po- litical demogogy. But like the Yankees at First Manassas the fanatics under the leadership of Brooks Lawrence. a bold and aggressive politician, have raised the cry, The amendment conflict was only a Manassas. It has shown the strength of the distillers, brewery and whisky dealers. We will now organize on larger and stronger basis; the Anti Saloon league has pledged itself to write prohibition in the constitution. The fight is on and to defeat the defenders, as they call themselves, we must divide their forces; we must insist on a democratic primary to nominate all candidates from governor to .bailiff, urging strict party or ganization. In doing this we cut out 2o,- 600 republican voters who opposed the amendment, as no republican will be al- lowed to vote at the primary election and fully 10000 democratic officeholders and their friends who voted against the amendment and who will vote for Mall | lory for governor-the man who betrayed l the people when his influence upon three wa%ering senators secured the people the law, ordering the call for an election on l the amendment.
 "This scheme of disintegrating the de- l lenders, of dividing up on party lines,
 will not only give us chief executive fa- voring constitutional prohibition, but will l give us a legislature that will enact laws | that will not only promote discord and | disaster in every section of our state but | will drive capital and labor from the | state"
 l In this crisis, as I see it, sir there is l but one hope for the state and that Is | for the executive committee to declare free for all race for state officers as well as county and municipalities. If 1 this policy is adopted the people will elect l able men, men who in the recent contest l between patriotism and fanaticism proved l true to God and country. Men will be 1 elected to office, not as a reward for party 1 services but for their well-known ability | and integrity and fitness for the positions. 1 What, sir has the tariff. the ship subsidy l bill, the finance question or other party 1 questions in national affairs to do with 1 our state government? Nothing in the l world, sir. Then why not let all party l questions stand aside and let the people ] of Alabama put men in ofrice who will l work to secure the greatest good to the greatest number; in short, in true demo- | cratic doctrine, true government of the 1 people, for the people and by the peo- | pie.
 l I am certainly no political prophet, but | I venture the prediction that any true blue democrat who goes into the pri- l mary as a candidate for any office will find he has no show. The men who have | turned their backs on democracy and who | are now prohibitionists, nothing more, | nothing less, will betray him.
 But, sir if the committee will lay down | lDe DdJS anu ElFo inc Pcpplo cndhCo | to vote for the man of their choice, l Emmet O'Neal will be our next gover-
 nor. He, in such contest, will have the support, as he now has the confidence. l of the men who make the wealth and 1 prosperity of the state, the farmers, the
 working men, in forest, field and mine 1 and manufactory are for him. If he can | have a fair, open-to-all race he will dis tance any man the opposition can enter. olao xxrfli aFl< n W n | state. Education will be fostered, equal and exact justice will be meted out to l corporations as well as to individuals. No
 unjust laws will receive his sanction. No l deficiency in public treasury will be found
 when he retires from office. His admins tration will be referred to as the begin 1 ming of a new era in the growth and l prosperity of our beloved state
 R. B. KYLE. Clear Water, Fla, January 20, 1910.
 Professor Loeb's New Work.