Regardless of hidden feelings and future developments, harmony and good will seemed to prevail as the convention closed. Each candidate had put up a good fight; none had cause to blush for his record. One reporter expressed the condition thus: "A brave and gallant contest of one man against stupendous odds, and when at last he fell, it was with the white banner of Democracy floating above him. The bitterness is gone, and the 'wool hat boys' who sat like one man and voted for the man they loved, with the same unit rule have raised the banner of Jones and will follow that spotless ensign to the polls in August."99

The Georgia Alliance Farmer, 100 commenting editorially on the Alabama election said Kolb was defeated after carrying into the convention a vote only a little short of the majority, and attributed his defeat to (1) the lack of competent leadership; (2) opposition of politicians, bankers and monopolies, not only in Alabama, but throughout the nation; (3) the false, scandalous reports circulated against Kolb.

ORGANIZED DEMOCRACY VICTORIOUS.

The battle was, in one sense, only half won when the state convention had acted for the general election came in August. The convention contest had been unusually interesting since it was a contest within the party ranks. Although the "regularity" Democrats had finally dominated the convention and nominated their man, the Democratic party must now measure swords with other

named were: J. D. Barron, Secretary of State; C. D. Hogue, Auditor; J. L. Combs, Treasurer; W. L. Martin, Attorney-General.

99 Age-Herald, June 4, and Nov. 26, 1890. The editor of the Independent (N. Y. June 5, 1890) said: "In Alabama the Farmers' candidate has just been defeated in the Democratic State Convention, and by the exercise of much strategy. He may run as an independent candidate; and as the Alliance is nearly 100,000 strong, there's not a little danger of the breaking up of the solid white vote."

100 Advertiser, June 6, 1890.

The Advertiser denied these as causes for Kolb's defeat, that not all politicians, bankers and "interests" were against Kolb; that Kolb was one of the best organizers in the state, and had shrewd and capable helpers. DuBose, attributed his defeat to the St. Louis platform and its aftermath, including the visiting "Emissaries." In his opinion the actual vote of 277 for Jones and 245 for Kolb did not represent the relative strength of the two factions nor of the candidates. (Age-Herald, April 14, 1913.)

parties for supremacy. Since 1874 nomination by the Democratic convention had been tantamount to election of the party's choice, but what would be the result in 1890?

According to plans of the State Executive Committee, Eufaula was designated as the place for the opening speech of the campaign. Selection of Eufaula was intended as a politic stroke, for it was the home of Kolb and many of his strong supporters.101 The committee wished to honor Kolb and appease his home town as well as "the State of Barbour." In order to restore or maintain party unity the committee wished also to avail itself of Kolb's proffered services. But as many who knew Kolb best-who knew his "indomitable will" and "resourcefulness"-had predicted, the results of using him as a speaker for the Democratic party were most unfortunate. In his speech at Eufaula he threw a bomb into the supposedly placid waters by stating that he had been "stolen out" of the nomination at the recent convention. From then on he became more rabid in his charges of "fraud" by the convention. Kolb never spoke again with the Democratic nominee. Much of his speech was expunged from the reports to the press. The huge throng present, many of them Alliancemen, were dumbfounded at his speech and there were few who did not think he would try to seek redress at the election two years later. Henceforth 102 Kolb fought the Democratic "machine" and was in fact a "bolter," a Populist.

Several dormant elements seemed to have been aroused.103 The Republicans with Ben M. Long of Walker as gubernatorial candidate once again challenged the Democrats for a joint canvass. The handful of Prohibitionists had put out a state ticket,104 and after a second attempt the Greenbackers had also named a state ticket, a kind of side show.

In an election displaying considerable apathy the Democrats won easily, August 4. Jones received 139,212 votes as against Long's vote of 42,390-more than three

101 Age-Herald, July 23, 1890; Advertiser, July 9, 1890. See T. G. Jones, in Advertiser, Sept. 17, 1911.

102 DuBose, Article No. 95, Jones, V, p. 66; Age-Herald, June 9, 23, 1890; Miller, Alabama, p. 295; Arnett, The Populist Movement in Georgia, p. 123; News, Dec. 21, 1891 and Jan. 28, 1892.

103 Age-Herald, July 9, 30, 1890; Miller, Alabama, p. 285; Advertiser, May 16, 17, 1890.

104 Age-Herald, July 9, 1890; Owen, Alabama, I, p. 571.

to one.105 J. C. Coulson, "nondescript" candidate, received 1385. The Alliance forces were naturally disappointed at the defeat of Kolb in the May convention, however they supported the Democratic nominees in August rather than vote for the Republicans.

A strong legislature was elected, a majority of them being Alliancemen and Kolb supporters.106 Likewise the election of Nov. 5 resulted in a Democratic victory.107 The general assembly convened 108 in its biennial session, Nov. 11, 1890. The house had 100 members, three of these being Republicans and one Independent, the others being Democrats, with Alliancemen, who might now technically be called Populists, in the majority. The legislature of 1890-91 is often called the Alliance Legislature.109 The senate had 33 members, all Democrats. Only a part of the senators were elected in 1890 as others held over. Some of the outstanding Alliance members of the lower house were Newton N. Clements, of Tuscaloosa, elected speaker. He was a good speaker and an able parliamentarian. It was perhaps a loss to the state when he was made speaker, as he might have been more useful on the floor as "the Gentleman from Tuskaloosa." Henry D. Clayton, lawyer, Kolb floor leader in the state convention, was a member of the house, as was S. M. Adams, long president of the Alliance. Reverend Mr. Adams was an "Allianceman in an Alliance House." Another Allianceman who rendered notable service was Professor John H. Davis of Fayette. With the possible exception of Willis Brewer, Davis was the first man "in

105 Age-Herald, August 6, 1890; Miller, Alabama, p. 285; Brown, Alabama, p. 307. Age-Herald, Nov. 19, 1890; DuBose, Article No. 95, in Jones, Scrap Book, V, p. 66. See Fleming, Civil War, p. 799. 106 Age-Herald, Nov. 16, 1890; Advertiser, Aug. 16, 1890; AgeHerald, Sept. 9, 1891.

107 J. C. DuBose, Alabama, p. 362; Age-Herald, Nov. 5, 19, 1890, and Oct. 29, 1890; Advertiser, Sept. 17, 1890; Advertiser, Sept. 24, 1890.

These men were elected to the 52nd Congress (1891-93): (1) Richard H. Clarke (2) H. A. Herbert (3) W. C. Oates (4) Louis Turpin (5) James E. Cobb (6) John H. Bankhead (7) W. H. Forney (8) Joe Wheeler. The only change was in the election of Turpin over J. McDuffie (Republican) who had unseated Turpin in 1889.

108 Advertiser, Nov. 11, 1890. Two from Lawrence and one from Winston.

109 Advertiser, August 16, 1890; Age-Herald, Sept. 9, 1891 and Nov. 19, 1890; DuBose, Article No. 95, in Jones Scrap Book, V. p. 66.

classical lore" in the house. He was a fine speaker and was said to be usually on the right side of a question. He aided Commissioner Kolb frequently in his institutes and was really an ardent Populist.110 Meador of Marengo,

thirty years old and handsome, was considered the most prominent of the younger Alliance members. Scott of Russell, familiar with literature, a good speaker, an Allianceman, was regarded as the most picturesque figure in the house. Like Brewer he was ever opposed to increased expenditures.111 Beck of Mobile and Hector D. Lane of Madison were other prominent Alliance members.

Governor Thomas Seay, aspirant for the U. S. Senate, submitted a strong retiring message eulogizing the Democratic party for its achievements of the last sixteen years.112 He urged a constitutional convention, fair elections, better schools, supported by local taxation, etc.

On Dec. 1, Governor Jones was inaugurated amid a gay throng. His first message showed his familiarity with the state's conditions.113 He stressed the financial

aspect, the need of ballot box reform, advocating a rigid secret ballot. The state constitution was hide bound and causing much complaint, but he thought its many defects, due to the unforeseen development of the state, should be remedied now by amendment rather than a new document. He favored improvement in the educational and convict systems.114

With the lower house strongly Alliance, Governor Jones was firmly opposed and handicapped in his legislative program,115 but made a good record notwithstanding. One of the important questions before the legislature was that of redistricting the state. The senate pandering to politicians, was moved with difficulty, but finally it followed the overwhelming voice of the house of representatives and passed the act dividing the state into nine instead of eight districts. The famous fourth Alabama district, usually Republican, was gerrymandered into a lizard shape giving the Democrats predomin

110 Age-Herald, Feb. 25, 1891; Age-Herald, Aug. 9, 1891; AgeHerald, Nov. 19, 1890.

111 Age-Herald, Feb. 25, 1895.

112 Advertiser, Nov. 11, 1890; Senate Journal, 1890-91, p. 8 ff, DuBose, Article No. 95, in Jones V. p. 66.

118 Age-Herald, Dec. 3, 1890.

114 Age-Herald, Dec. 10, 1890. 115 Age-Herald, Sept. 9, 1891.