Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-13
aRowLINa OF THE DIsGRUNrLED.

A dispatch from Opellka says tnere iS SoH- siderable dissatisfaction in political circles thereabout over recent developments in the appointment of the Railroad Commissioners. It is said that there were fifty-two applicants, and there were but two appointments to De made. Both appointees are very clever gen. tlemen, but 1t Is said that neither Of them mas ever made a speech for the party or done any materially aggressive work in its behalf The party workers are raising trouble in camp about the matter, and the impression Is that Governor Oates has not strengthened his Sen atorial boom. Both of the appontees are gold standard Oates men, and strange to say Mir. Ross Smith of Birmingham was one of the lew men in that city who opposed Capt, Joseph F. Johnston in his home county for the guberna- torial nomination last year.
 The above clipping of an opelika tele- gram in the Sheffield Standard seems neither fish nor flesh as regards it's tone and sentiment. Its censure of the Governors appointment is manifestly half f-hearted. Yet the remarks praising Mir. Smith seem to have string tied to them. The truth is, where an official appointment is to be made there will be a great army of the dis appointed where there is a corporal's guard of the successful.
 The Standard remarks thati in appointing Mir. Smith to the position of Railroad Com-- missioner Governor Oates has not strength ened his Senatorial boom. It may be urged in reply that His Excellency is in the gubernatorial chair for the good of the State, and hence, in making appointments, must sacrafice all minor and personal in- terests. It was certainly for the welfare of the State to bind together the old legion of honor, each man of which has done honorable service for his party, and young Democracy, strong, vigorous and capable, with it's grip on the helm and loyalty in its heart.
 This Governor Oates has done in the per- son of Mr. Ross C. Smith. He is the scion of mighty stock-young Democracy, which is the hope of the State and the strength of the south. It has been ob- jected that MT. Smith is a young man, but it is generally conceded that this is diff culty which time will overcome.
 It is not necessarily true that "the king can do no wrong," but Governor Oates has shown more than ordinary wisdom in his official acts. lie has his hand on the tiller, his eye on the way through which he must guide the ship of state. Until his critics have something better to offer than "not strengthening his Senatorial boom' by his official actions, they may well be excused from further utterance-or, as Sambo has it, tit is not their put.''
 The following from the Opelika News of A recent date shows that the people in that section are not entirely pleased with the appointment, but are inclined to take the matter with philosophy:
 The appointment of Mir. Ross Smith of Bir- mingham a member of the Board of Rail- road Commissioners might have been ex- pected by the general public, from the fact That he has been power in the State as party worker and has been highly honored by the party, especially at one time, when he was elected delegate to the county conven- lion of Jefferson county. or course some peo- pie may be unfair as to charge that the fact that Mir. Smith of the few men who opposed his home man, Capt, Joseph F. Johnston, in his home county last year, had some influence with Governor Oates in mak- ing the appointment, but such charges should not be made. It was evidently the young man s ability and party service which secured him the place. man whose party has hon. ored him by electing him to the exalted posi- ton of delegate to a county convention, and who, personal grounds, opposes his neighbor for an office, is a suitable man 10 be rewarded for party service by being given a $2000 job-see?'
 The News's comment regarding MT. Smiths having been one of the delegates to the county convention only clinches the matter. Where Democracy puts her seal, the Governor is safe in placing his sigma. lure. We are inclined to think it Is case of the right man in the right place.
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