The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-01
EIGHT GOVERNORS OF ALABAMA
1374-1901
No. 67-Some Ups and Downs of Early Politics
Edward A. O'Neal Governor

The freedmen were in unrestricted
possession of the franchise. The repub-
lican party had a full ticket In the field
for the August election, 1885.
Rev. S. NJ. Adams of Bibb county
was president of the Farmers Alliance
and conducted its course with great en-
terpr'se, energy and intelligence. He
organ zed corps of lectures on practi-
cal farming and went around to ac-
cessible points with them. When ap-
pointments were made and dates adver-
tised, it was the habit of the neighbor-
ing farmers to prepare for an all-day
speaking by setting plank tables be-
tween large shade trees and thereon
spreading the most tempting dinner
their wives and daughters could cook,
open to the world at large. The meet
ingss were largely attended by enthu-
siastic audiences. Among the lecturers
accompanying President Adams were
Profs. J. S. Newman and N. t. Lupton
of the Alabama Agricultural and Me-
chanical college at Auburn. The latter
formerly president of the university
These meetings became intensely inter-
esting to public office seekers.
Notwithstanding the effort of the re-
publicans, directed by so intelligent a
leader as Arthur Bingham, long time
a successful business man of Talladega,
and Notwithstanding the compact or
ganization of the farmers, with well
defined political objects. the nominees
of the state convention of the demo-
cratic and conservative party carried
the election against only a show of
opposition. .
The total vote for governor was
1S2,S53. OF this vote Seay the conven-
tion nominee. received more than three
fourths.
We are approaching a disruption of
the dominant party. Some facts ex-
planning the voting which brought
Governor seay into office have mean
ing of interest to that catastrophe of
rupture so imminent
In certain black belt counties Bing-
hams vote stood, viz: For Bingham in
Autauga, l vote; in Bullock, votes;
in Hale, 25 Lee. s; Russell. 6; Sumter,
110. In Dallas. Wilcox and Pickens,
black belt counties, the republican
leader received no votes at all.
If there be suspicion that the fraud
upon the ballot, first known in Ala
bama in the election ordered and con-
Quoted by Major General John Pope,
October 4. 1867, had become a fixed
condition, liable to be embraced by all
political parties, according to opportu-
nifty and convenience, we are able to
dispel the spice of misgiving from the
situation now in hand.
There was not even one negro voter
in Cullman county. Bingham received
two votes only in Cullman. He re-
eeived only four votes in Dale, a white
county. He received only votes in
Henry, 4 in Choctaw, 6 in Marion, AS
in Marshall. Where Seay got 2527, 10
in St Clair; where Seay got 1902, 40
in Washington, where SIS went for
Seay. These six democratic count es.
divided between north and south Ala
bama, were all white counties.
So on the face of the returns counted
by the legislature, counties failed to
support the republican candidate for
governor. indiscriminately as TO local
ity, whether within or without the
black belt.
Let 1t be admitted that the negro race
was endorsed by nature with a recep-
tive faculty, which, starting with the
atom, expanded by environment. But
there has never been a moment of time
when the rules of social orgauiza tion
could be appropriated by the race per
saltum. The race has in no country, Af-
rica or America, developed the inward
recognition of the necessity of gov
eminent, hence the freshmen of the
Alabama plantations lost nothing by
their failure to vote whether the result
was reached under one array of cir
cumstances or another. The measure
of loss to the white custodians of the
ballot and its meaning, by the ad-
normal technical privileges or the bal
lot conferred on the negro, is another
question
The August, 1885, state election
placed democrats in all the county Of
fices of importance. The circuit solicit
tors chosen We're democrats and singu-
larly capable men. George w. Taylor
of the first circuit was a descendent
of a South Carolina stock of eminence
in the history of the state. At this writ
ing, he has long been a representative
in Congress from the First district.
For the Second circuit. Jesse f. Stall
lings was elected solicitor. He was a
graduate of the university of the state
and soon proved the remarkable native
powers as a prosecutor, which he pos
sessed Mr.. Stallings later entered
Congress where he remained for eight
years and until his voluntary retire.
ment.
Alto " Tae af the Third circuit p