Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-19
ALL DEMOCRATIC WINNERS Jefferson County Democracy'S Chosen Standard Bearers. SOMETHING OF THEIR LIVES They Are Good Men, Every One of Them. Faithful to Party Friends, Commu-
 nity and Country.
For Stata Senator.

For State Senator.
 Russell McWhorter Cunningham was born in Mount Hope, Lawrence county, Ala, August 25, 1855. His father was a tailor and his mother a seamstress. He was raised on a farm. He received common school education, after making and gathering the crop, and commenced his public career as school teacher. He taught three sessions; commenced the study of medicine in 1874; attended med- cal lectures at the medical department of the University of Louisville in the winter of 1S74-75; commenced the practice of his profession an undergraduate in New burgh, Franklin county, in the spring of 1875; married Miss Sue L. Moore daugh- ter of Judge Moore of Franklin county, In August, 1S76 attended lectures in the Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York in the winter of 1878 and 1879, grad uating from that institution.
 In 1880 he was elected as a democrat to the legislature from Franklin county; in March, 1881, was appointed physician of the penitentiary, and served four years. Since 1885 he has been prison phy sician for the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company at Pratt City; from October 1891, to May, 1895, was physician at Ensley He Is a member and one of the founders of the Southern Surgical and Genealogical associations; junior counselor sf-the Medical Association of the State of Alabama; was its orator in 1885, was elected president of the Tri- State Medical Association of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee at It's Atlanta session in October 1S94 was vice presi- dent of Jefferson County Medical society in 1894 and is now its president He is one of the founders of the Birmingham Medical college, and is professor of the principles and practice of medicine of that institution.
 Tn, th. C,ArfY Of hA fto,a Pratt mines to this city, where he has lived since In Masonic circles he has been highly honored by his brethren. In 1885 he was one of the charter members of Florida lodge No. 450, Pratt City, and was it's worthy master for five years; was eminent commander of Cyrene Com- mandery and potentate of Zamora Tenn pie, this city. In 1893 he was one of the charter members of Pratt City Chapter No. 10S, Pratt City, and was it's high priest for two years. He Is now junior warden of the grand lodge of Alabama hIe Is member of the Baptist church. GIe has always been a straightout demo- crat, taking an active part In the poli- tics of the county and state.
 No candidate in Alabama has done him self greater credit than Dr. Cunning ham. He had many warm friends. and they cherished high expectations of him. He more than gratified their partiality. Ills canvass against one of the abest and most popular lawyers at the Birmingham bar was gallantly and brilliantly con ducted, and it is safe to say that in the coming struggle in this county with the enemies of democracy Dr. Cunninghams Nalor and eloquence will be powerful factor in the triumph of his party.
 pr. Cunningham's campaign gave him great fame in the state, and, in response to an urgent invitation, he addressed the citizens of Mobile one night of the last week of the campaign. The Mobile News said of the effort:
 The clear, logical and eloquent speech of Dr. R. M. Cunningham of Birming- ham at the Johnston meeting of Friday night was a revelation to those who oply knew by name that brilliant son of Jef- ferson. He is equally the disciple of Demosthenes as of Galen; strong think er, fluent speaker and brave, manly and tourteouS politician.
 From his first Sentence-which bore the greeting of sturdy, iron-handed Jeff derson to us of the magnolia-b -bordered gulf-Dr. Cunningham held that vast au- flience under magnetic spell. He swayed 5t to enthusiastic applause, or uncon- trollable mirth, at will, the shaky old building rocking to yells of approval and equally wild roars of happy laughter His peroration-likening gold and silver to the two sister queens, one pure, but prostrate, while the other Haunted the 5ewelled tiara of shame-was gem of pratory, and it is coldly critical truth to say that the speech as a whole was the peer In power, effect1FeneSS ana maSne- tism of any that has been heard in Mo- bile.
 "Dr. Cunningham came to Mobile a stranger save to his professional broth CTS; he remained a brief half day and left with the masses all his friends, even If some differed from his views. Bir- mingham has once more scored on Mo- bile"
 For Representatives.
 John J. Altman, familiarity known as "ColoneP' Altman, is not soldier, as the title would imply. He was not old enough to have military record in the last war, and his life has been spent in the most nnmartial manner It Is his distinguished appearance and commanding bearing that make people inclined to call him colonel. There is no doubt had he been old enough he would have risen to high rank in the service of his country, for his career has been highly creditable. He will get goodiy share when laurels for the victories of peace are handed and native of Sumter county, and is of pure German descent, his great grand Father having come to this country for the sake of its liberties. The subject of fhis sketch is known as one of the most active and successful lawyers in the state. He is very much of a self-made man. He worked on farm for enough money to buy school taught school and worked alternately, and thus got to enjoy law course at the University of Virginia. The Vpnly office MT. Altman has held up to date, besides Cleveland elector in 1884, was six terms as mayor of LiVingston