Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-06
THE GOVERNOR ENDORSED.
The State Press Almost a Unit in Their
81 Praise of the Able and Prac- -
80 tical Message. -.

~ y teal Message. J =.
The great commoner, Joseph T. john
ston, was on last Tuesday inaugurated
Governor of Alabama. That the affairs
of our state will be ably and impartially
administered by him no true Albanian
can reasonably doubtr-Cleburne New
Era.
Capt. Joseph F. Johnston Is now Ala
bama's Governor His administration
promises to be the cleanest and the best
that the state has had in many years.
1t will be a business administration, and
that is just what the state needs.-Lau-
derdale Journal.
We give a synopsis of Governor john
Ston's first message. He Is not afraid to
take the lead in recommending reforms
which are needed Judging from his
message he is something of a states
man as well as a business man.--Alex-
ander City Outlook.
Gov. Johnston is a practical business
man and his administration of our state
affairs will be conducted in a practical
business way. He is devoted to the in
terests of Alabama and will leave moth
ing undone to promote the development
and upbuilding of all of its varied in
terests, The Sentinel wishes him every
success and hopes that his proudest an
ticipations for Alabama may be fully
realized.-Shelby Sentinel. IL
Since the days when the gallant Hous-
ton snatched Alabama from the hands of
,carpetbaggers and mugwumpS our state
has been blessed with men of brain and
integrity to steer the tide as chief execu-
tives. and last Tuesday, when Joseph F.
Johnston was inaugurated into office as
Governor, the people of this state con-
graduated themselves that the ermine
had again fallen on the shoulders of one
of Alabama's noblest sons, who would
sustain democracy's record and preserve
the dignity of this Office and trust. Capt.
Johnston is possibly the best known man
in Alabama, and has few personal enc
mics. His home life is one of eongenial-
ity and homelike. and possesses that be-
nevolent disposition that, as Governor.
will bind him to every man, woman and
child in Alabama He is not a selfish
man that will use the office as an instru-
ment to crafty his ambition.vCoosa Ad-
vocate.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, at IL o'clock, Capt.
Joseph f. Johnston was duly inaugural
ed Governor of the great state of Ala
bafna. While he intimated that he cared
for eone of the pomp and splendor which
a free people delight to bestow upon their
chosen leader. and that he especially pre-
ferred no military, yet the inaugural
comInittee prepared an elaborate affair.
Military from several OF the surrounding
cities were present, and their martial
music and bright equippageS added
largely to the interest of the occasion.
While we have never favored the cap
tain in his efforts, yet we believe he will
make good Governor He has for many
years been a man of affairs and accuS-
toned to the handling of a big business,
and should find no difficulty in guiding
the ship of state" through the break
ers. The News will do all possible in its
humble sphere toward making his adj
ministration a successful one.-Tuskegee
News.
We publish this week Gov. Johnston's
first message. We hope our-subscrlbers
will read it. 1t is an able and thorough
state paper, and gives forecast of the
business manner in which the affairs of
our state will be conducted We do not
mean any dsparagement of our many
able democratic Governors who have pre-
coded Gov. Johnston but regard 1t as
safe and conservative statement to say
that Gov. Johnston will give us the best
and most thorough business administra-
ton as Governor of Alabama, we have
had since the administration of Gov.
George S. Houston. Gov. Johnston Is not
only a good lawyer and an able speaker,
but he is one of the most thorough and
practical business n ~ in the state. We
Gov. Johnston's inaugural address. The
Inauguration Tuesday was day of in
terest in Alabama, and many of her dis
tingushed sons gathered at the capital
city-some for the festivities and some
for business. Both had a fair show and
realized their OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Progressive Age.
In his message to the legislature Gov
ernor Johnston discussed the ACCESSIBILITY
of an escaped tax commissioner to look
after neglected taxes. who also Shall
have power to name deputies in the va
rous counties. He further suggests that
this officer be charged with the duty of
attending to the sale Of lands which
the state has acquired by reason of nom
payment of taxes, and that commits
sion on such transactions be given as
compensation for such services. We are
of the opinion that our tax collectors
and assessors as a rule are too lax in
their duties in this regard. Much of the
land sold for taxes is assessed to ''un-
known owner" when as a matter of fact
no intelligent effort had been made to
locate the owner. This one fault with
our assessors entails vast amount of
worry and expense and should be pro-
vided against by strict definition of
the assessors duties. We have enough
officers connected with the tax depart
ment If they would discharge their du-
ties. If the governor will only recon-
mend suitable changes in the present
law relating to assessments and collec-
tons it will be sufficient.-Huntsville
Mercury
AS q business man Capt Johnston is
recognized the equal of any man in Ala
bama. He has been a decided success
in the management of his own affairs.
When he was admitted to the practice
of law In Jacksonville, after having
studied in the Office of Gen. W. H. For
ney, we are told that he was too poor
to pay his railroad fare to Selma, where
he was going to locate to practice his
profession, and that he borrowed the
money from a friend who Is now living.
While he had no money. he had health,
a bright mind the confidence of the peo-
pie, and a determination to succeed.
With these elements of success he enter
ed the practice of law in Selma and to-
day we find him comparatively a rich
man. And with a depleted state treas
ury the people of Alabama can be con-
gratulated on having indicted into the
office Of governor such a splendid bust
ness man as is Capt Johnston. We
make the prediction that during Gov