The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-02
State Democratic Executive Committee Will Meet
 Here Tomorrow
SEVENTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE FRIDAY
Both Meetings Will Probably Be We'll Attended by Candidates and Friends. GOodwyn States Purpose of the
 State Committee Meetings

Birmingham will he the center of state politics the present week. Tomorrow the meeting of the state democratic exec utive committee will occur. Friday at noon at the Hotel Morris will be held the meeting of the democratic executive committee of the Seventh congressional district, mention of which was made in The AgeHerald of Sunday
 The state committee meets for the pur- pose of agreeing on a plan for the elec- ton of senator to fill the uneXpired term of the late Senator Joseph F. John- ston, and to consider the action of sev- eral county committee which have failed to follow the direction of rhe state com- mittee in regard to excluding republicans from participation in the democratic pri- mary of April G. The Seventh district congressional committee will meet to arr range plan for holding the primary of that district. Congressman Burnett of the Seventh has opposition in the person of I, B. Raney of Gadsden. It is anticipated that both meetings will be we'll attended by members and candidates and that politics will be tha chief topic of discussion for the entire week.
 Goodwin Makes Statement In regard to the meeting of the state committee tomorrow. Tyler Goodwin of Montgomery chairman. sends the follow ing statement to The Age-Herald:
 ''As the fast day for candidate to quail fly Is next Friday March 6. | am call- ing the state committee 10 meet in Bir- mingham on next Tuesday March 3, that 1t my talte such steps it thinks best to provide nominee for the short term senatorial vacancy now existing. The committee can follow either one of two plans. It can either adopt resolution declaring one nominee for both the long and short term or 1t can provide for the democratic voters to select can didate In the primary on April 6.
 There is another important matter to come before the committee. Tn several counties the democratic county commit- tee has invited Into the primary persons who are not qualified under the rules prescribed by the state executive committee. Such mistaken action is un- fair to derocrats In the other sixty-odd counties of the state who are conform ing to the lawful state committee rules regardless of local county interests. It is true that frequently on account or local county conditions. it may be de- sirabe to open the party doors pretty wide but when the authority established by state law prescribes a uniform dual- ification. then such qualification should be adhered to uniformly in every coup- ty in the State. For one county to ad-- init disqualified voters in the selection of state and general nominees is patent ly unfair and unjust to the other coun- ties in the state who are obeying the law The state committee owes a duty 10 the democrats of the state in this matter which it has no disposition to shirk regardless of whom it may help or hurt
 ''These two matters 1 mention are of much importance to the democrats of Alabama and I deem 1t my duty chairman to call the committee together 70 that both questions may be settled finally and satisfactorily
 Methods of Procedure
 "If the matter of the short term sen atorial vacancy were not involved might defer the meeting until some time later in March. However, the senatorial vacancy natter must be settled before March s. so that candidates for that place may have an opportunity to quality should the committee decide on the nom ination of short term senatorial can didate in the April primary
 ''There are two ways under the pres ent law by which that vacancy can be lawfully filled: The governor can call an extra session of the legislature. which body may empower hirn to make a tenn porary appointment or he can call spe- cial election at which senator may be elected by the voters of Alabama.
 "1n connection with these two methods I call your attention tn the fact that the Senate of the United States, on Febru- ary II, 1914, passed measure bearing upon this subject. which bill went to the House and was this morning favor ably reported from the House commit tee and placed upon the House calendar. That bill which will almost certainly rass the House in a short time. provides that an election to fill senatorial va cancy, If special election is not called shall be held at the same time and in the same manner as state officers arc elected, which in Alabama will be in November This bill also provides that the governor may call special election to fill such vacancy just as In the cass of vacancy in the office of congress- nan at large.
 Ut Is therefore clear to me that which, ever method Is to be taken in the cleo ton of senator for the short term. nomination should he riade by the den- ocratic party for such vacancy.