Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-08
The Winston Probate Judgeship.

Governor Oates today appointed MT. R. L. Blanton as probate judge of Win ston county, vice Judge Gibson, deceased. There were a dozen or more applicants for the appointemnt to thiA office, which has been vacant for some months, and the selection of an incumbent has caused the governor considerable loss of sleep, all of the applicants being good demo- crats with strong inducements.
 MT. Blanton is young man and an able one and is in every way fitted to fill the important office to the satisfaction of all He is a lawyer of considerable reputation and is very popular in Win ston county. His commission will be for warded by the secretary of state as soon as he qualities.
 The following letter. written by Gov ernor Oates to MT. A. c. Romines, chair man of the democratic executive commit tee of Winston county, explains the ap- pointment of MT. Blanton to the vacant probate judseship of that county. He also does Mr. Haley great justice in stating that he believes none of the grave charges brought against him:
 State of Alabama,
 Executive Department,
 Office of the Governor,
 Montgomery, Aug. 2, 1895. MT. Allen c. RomineS, Notes, Ala.-
 My Dear Sir: On June IA I wrote you as follows, viz:
 "Sir: I am informed that you are now the chairman of the democratic executive committee of your county, and as there is a vacancy in the office of judge of probate, and there has been an attempt by the committee, or part of it, to select a candidate, am disposed not to ignore the committee, but to give it a chance to be heard in this matter. The way in which it acted heretofore, though no doubt with good intention, was not free from criticism, so am informed.
 "I therefore say to you that if you will assemble your committee after due mo- tice and act upon this matter in the fol- lowing manner I will be disposed to treat your action with great respect, and if satisfied that your selection is a good man for the place I will feel disposed to appoint him, especially if he is a good democrat and worthy citizen."
 Then the letter proceeds to indicate the method of making the selection.
 You called your committee together on June 22 and the result of your delibera- tions was that the members of your com mittee-all being present but one unanimously recommended that I ap- point MT. c. l.. Haley Immediately num- erous complaints reached me against the action of your committee, and charging unfairness and improper conduct. I have so far investigated these charges as to satisfy me that you and your committee acted with perfect fairness and propriety, and thank you for so acting. MT. Hitler, MT. Adkins, MT. Mccullough and MT. Haley submitted their names to your committee and agreed to abide the result. If, therefore, l appoint either of these men it must be MT. Haley, as he received the recommendation.
 Almost immediately after the result of your action was known many objections to MT. Haley's appointment were made. Charges against his integrity were made in several cases. thought it but fair to give him a chance to be heard on these serious charges, and therefore notified him and gave him time. take pleasure in stating that he has practically dis proved all these charges and there is no doubt of his loyalty to his party. But