The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21


 led the fight in favor of establishing the basis of voting strength. The test came when the Pitts resolution, pro viding that the counties shall be repre- sented in convention by one delegate for every 5000 people was voted dowr by the close vote of 1916. That vote follows:
 For Tabling-Long, Spragins, Bow man, Gamble, Lee, Corbett, Reid. Mer- Till, I.ackey, White, Coleman, McCord Rosson. Taylor. Callahan, Thach, Pugh Black wood-1S.
 Against Tabling-King, Jones, Greer I Abercrombie, Greene, Barefield, VII. son, Troy, Hamilton, Waddell, Keith Dixon. Cook, Brown, Nunnally, Pitt. l-16.
 l Following this vote the representa- tives of the black belt beheld the writ. ] ing on the wall and bent their efforts 1 against the adoption of any basis oi representation. They made a gallant fight, and their filibuster, which or several occasions promised to be crown. ed with success, was extended through. out a period of more than an hour. By clever parliamentary maneuvering the, postponed the vote from time to time and caused a constant repetition of the roll call The inevitable finally came however, and the injustice to the black belt counties, those stronghold: of old fashioned democracy" was ac. complished
 The final vote on the adoption of the Lackey resolution providing for the voting strength basis of one delegate for every 200 votes and majority frac. tion thereof cast in the primary oi May follows:
 Aye-Long, Spragins, Bareheld vii. son, Turner, Lee, Hamilton, Corbet tt Reid. Dixon, Merrill, Lackey, White Coleman. McCord, Callahan, Brown Thach-1S.
 Nay-King, Jones, Greer Abercrom. nle, Greene, Bowman, Waddell. Keith Cook, Pitts-10.
 Callahan and Long In reference to the primary MT. Cal. lahan of Morgan said: "The primary is great scheme for conjuring the peo- pie, and the greatest opportunity ir existence for money and demagoguery am in favor of a convention for the election of all officials and delegates. do not intend to call names but believe that several of those who have already spoken in favor of primary are, down in their hearts, in favor of a convention. All of us are not game enough to express our honest convic- tions. l warn the committee that in its continued advocacy of the primary 1t is progressing to a point at which all candidates will either have to spend all the money they possess or get down and out" (Great applause)
 MT. Long of Walker followed with this T am against the primary. I am in favor of a convention. (Applause). You have seen where a candidate for an of fee in Jefferson county spent close to 9o' 'OCEWhich was shame to American civilization.
 Those who are favoring a primary for the election of delegates to the national convention are not in favor of Under wood-deep down in their hearts. (Ap- plause). The people are not behind a primary. We have recently seen a news paper with a shirt tail full of type de- claring itself the people, Applause and laughter). It is not the people however. It is not for Underwood furthermore. but for Woodrow Wilson. Where else do you hear of a primary for the cleo tion of delegates to the national conven- tion? Have you heard of one in New Jersey, In Ohio, or Missouri? No Let us be sure that the Alabama delegates are heartily in favor of Underwood. I am in favor, furthermore, of permitting Underwood to name the Alabama delega- tion.' Cloud applause).
 Greer Is Caustic
 Mir. Greer of Calhoun in speaking against the primary plan of selecting ma tional convention delegates, said:
 Those who are advocating the elaat- ing of the delegates to the national con yention are imbued with the hope that in the delegation there might be A few who will go to the convention carrying a little knife concealed in their breast to be used to the detriment of ITnder- wood. We should go to the national con vention saying that we of the south de- mand the same loyal support for Under wood that we have for countless years given to the sons of the north. More than 90 per cent of the people of the state are In favor of Underwood, and are in favor of that plan of selecting delegates which will guarantee to him that honor which he so richly deserves in virtue of his great achievements. D Gong applause).
 MT. Lackey of Tallapoosa provoked laughter, when in his argument against the primary for the selection of state officials and the convention for the cleo tion of national convention delegates. he said: Let us do one or the other. Be- ing puppy and pig at the same instant never worked successfully for a long time"
 Gardner Greene Speaks MT. Greene of St. Clair in speaking in favcr of his resolutions, said: 'rrhe people of Alabama, have learned | through inquiry, want us to do that which will be most beneficial to Mr. Under | wood. and therefore, they do not care whether we determine to elect the dele | gates to the national convention through a primary or by a convention On ac- count of MT. Underwood. and the present | great opportunity of Alabama, we should feel justified in laying aside all prece- dents given us by preceding committees and conventions. The only objection to the plan of electing the delegates to the national convention by a state conven- ton is lodged in few newspapers, who are not true to Alabama. those papers who are knifing MT. Underwood" The remarks. of Mir Greene were greeted with prolonged applause.