The Alabama Constitution of 1901

Subject

Politics

Description

A Series of articles from the Florence Herald, Florence Times and Sheffield Reaper on the 1901 Alabama Constitutional Convention and African-American disenfranchisement.
The State Campaign

A Thursday, March 28, 1901 Florence Herald article reporting that the Democratic campaign on behalf of a consiututional convention was set to begin and while the Republican Party in Alabama was opposed to the proposed constitutional convention, it would not actively canvass against it, but would instead seek to get as many Republican delegates elected to the convention as possible "with a view to restraining radical action" relative to Negro suffrage.
Not Opposing Convention

A Thursday, April 4, Florence Herald 1901 report that at a recent conference of Republican leaders of Alabama they stated that the Republican Party of Alabama wasn't opposed to the proposed constitutional convention.
Purify the Ballot.

A Florence Herald article of Thursday, April 11, 1901 reprinted from the Florence Times arguing for the need for a constitutional convention in Alabama in order to "purify the ballot" by eliminating the "ignorant Negro vote."
Canvass the County.

A letter to the Herald editor by a local merchant signing himself "BAR" (possibly Benjamin Armistead Rogers, Jr or Sr of Rogers Dept. Store a member of Lauderdale County's Campaign Central Committee ) of the Florence Times reprinted in the Florence Herald of Thursday, April 11, 1901, informing the editor of the Times that many local white voters were opposed to the proposed Alabama constitutional convention on the grounds that ignorant white voters might be disenfranchised and taxes raised, but supported the convention after it was explained to them that no white voter would be disenfranchised. The writer calls for qualified men to canvass the county and explain the situation to interested voters.
Read the Law

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald article publishing the laws regarding the issue of a new constution being submitted to the voters.
A White Man's Government

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 reprint of an article from the Montgomery Advertiser reporting on a speech made by Florence resident, future Alabama Governor, and Democratic Campaign Central Committee member Emmett O'Neal on the need for Alabama to have a white man's government.
Thinks Convention Will Carry

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald reprint of a Montgomery Advertiser article reporting that former Alabama Governor William C. Oates had just returned from a canvass of North Alabama and was convinced the convention for a new constitution disenfranchising Negro voters would carry.
Better Off Without It

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald reprint of an article from the Troy Messenger explaining why Negro disenfranchisement would be beneficial to the South.
Hon. John T. Ashcraft

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald biographical sketch of Florence industrialist, board of education member, lawyer, and Democratic politician John T. Ashcraft, a delegate from Lauderdale County to the 1901 constitutional convention.
A Wise Selection

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald article noting the appointment of Democratic Florence Mayor John B. Weakley as a delegate to the upcoming constitutional convention.
Nothing to be Afraid Of

A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald reprint of an article from the Jasper (AL) Eagle explaining why white opponents of the new constitution have nothing to be afraid of.
A Thursday, April 11, 1901 Florence Herald article noting that the majority of whites in Lauderdale have voted the Democrat ticket, thus should support a new Constitution.
Constitutional Convention.

A Saturday, April 13, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial defending the Democratic platform of the constitutional convention as free of "all radical partisan expression" and pledging to the voters of thew state a "constitution in conformity with their universal demand."
A Saturday, May 25, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial noting that Sen. Morgan wants a disenfranchisement clause in the new Ala constitution which doesn't violate the 14th or 15th amendments of the US Constitution and why such a goal is neither practical, necessary, nor possible.
A Saturday, June 1, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial on whether elected officials will follow the constitution or not.
A Saturday, June 1, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial endorsing a new Ala constitution based on the Democratic platform and a speech by Hon. John B. Knox.
Will Adjourn Next Week

A Thursday, August 15, 1901 Florence Herald article reporting that the constitutional convention is nearly finished and would probably adjourn next week.
A Saturday, August 31, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial advocating vigilance on the part of businessmen in towns excepted by the new constitution with regard to taxation.
A Saturday, August 31, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial warning against making the adoption of the proposed new constitution a party matter.
A Saturday, September 28, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial urging readers not to be cross or disagreeable with those who differ with them over the proposed new Ala constitution.
A Saturday, September 28, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial urging readers to remember that no piece of legislation is ever perfect, and is framed by their elected officials.
Endorse New Constitution.

A Saturday, October 5, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper reprint of a Tuscumbia, Ala Dispatch article reporting the Democratic Executive Committee of Colbert County's public resolutions endorsing the new Ala constitution
Speaking To-Night [sic]

A Thursday, October 10, 1901 Florence Herald report that Lauderdale's delegates to the constitutional convention were scheduled to address the residents of East Florence that night on the proposed new constitution.
New Constitution

A Thursday, October 10, 1901 Florence Herald report of a speech on behalf of the new constitution given at the Lauderdale County courthouse by Alabama Senator RM Cunningham Monday night.
Political Speaking

A Thursday, October 10, 1901 Florence Herald list of the speakers chosen by the Democratic Executive and Central Committees of Lauderdale to canvass the county speaking on behalf of the new constitution, with the times and places of their speeches.
New Constitution

A Thursday, October 31, 1901 Florence Herald article published by the Democratic Campaign Central Committee of Lauderdale County explaining the rationale behind the proposed new constitution of Alabama, which would disenfranchise black voters.
New Regime

A Thursday, November 29, 1901 Florence Herald report of Alabama Governor Jelks' proclamation regarding the new constitution which went into effect November 28th.
A Saturday, November 30, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial responding to comments by the editor of the Huntsville, Ala Tribune regarding the power to prescribe voter qualifications coming from the state rather than the US Congress.
A Saturday, December 14, 1901 Sheffield, Ala Reaper editorial stating its disapproval of the way ex-Gov Johnston and ex-Congressman Shelley attained office, as well as the method by which the new AL constitution was adopted.
Emigration

A Friday, November 14, 1902 Florence Times report via US Army Corps of Engineers Maj. WA Barlow of the Muscle Shoals Canal on the reason large numbers of African-Americans from East Lauderdale County are emigrating west to Indian Territory, which Barlow claims is a result of the disenfranchisement clause of the 1901 Constitution.

Source

1-12; 17; 23-27: Florence Herald
13-16; 18-22; 28-29: Sheffield, Ala Reaper
30. Florence Times

Publisher

Newspapers.com

Contributor

Lee Freeman

Rights

Images are available for educational and research purposes. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the copyright holder and receive permission.

Format

JPEG

Language

English

Type

Still Images

Files

Collection

Politics

Citation

“The Alabama Constitution of 1901,” Shoals Black History, accessed December 9, 2025, https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/1164.