Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-09
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Ex-Governor Brown and Other
 KentuckianS Stop Here.
GOING HOME FROM MEXICO
They Know No Political News, Although the Governor Is Discussed for United
 States Senator

Ex-Gov. John Young Brown of Ken lucky was in the city several hours yrs- terday on his way home from trip through Mexico.
 Governor Brown is one If tho most popular men who has ever been in public life in Kentucky a state famous for statesmen. He has just retired from the goveTnoTshp to be succeeded by Col. William o. Bradley, the first republican Kentucky ever elected to the office. Governor Brown had previously greatly distinguished himself in congress for a member who served but a brief time. He is well remembered for a fierce philippic against Gen. Ben Butler, which was de- livered by the I<entuckian on the floor of the house away back in the days of the reconstruction.
 Governor Brown was travelling in Lou isvile and Nashville private car No. 352, and accompanying him were C. E. Poyntz of Maysville and Urey Wood son. editor of the Owensboro Messenger, who were railroad commissioners. under Governor Brown; w. E. Whitely and J. N. Alsop of Owensboro. wealthy capital ists and owners of street railroad syS- tens of Owensboro and Henderson, ky, and H. Lloyd Watson of MaysVilc.
 The party arrived here yesterday morning shortly after 5 o'clock on Ala bama Great Southern train No. from New Orleans and waited for Louisville and Nashville train No. 4 which was due to leave at II :59 noon.
 State Herald reporter called upon the distinguished visitors at their pri- vate car waiting in the union passenger station.
 What do you think of Senator Black burns chances for re-election?" Govern or Brown was asked.
 "1 don't know" was the response, "1 have been absent from the state since December 14 and have had no mail from Kentucky in the meantime. Twice l have secured copies of the Louisville and Gin cinnati papers. and the information I gleaned from them is all I know"
 Handing the reporter a copy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the ex-governor re- marked that it contained a little gossip about the senatorial fight that might throw some light upon the subject Has tily gancing over two-coumn special from Frankfort. the reporter noticed the governors name mentioned as the proba- be democratic caucus nominee.
 We have had most delightful trip through Mexico" remarked the governor. land everywhere we went we were the recipients of the greatest courtesy. Some of the scenery there is the grandeSt I ever saw"
 Do the Mexicans take much interest in the Venezuelan controversy"
 "I never heard the subject mentioned whilo in that country. We met very few people in Mexico who could speak Eng lsh-probahly not more than twenty Rltogether--and we were unable to dis cuss political matters with them. Tn great many places we were forced to the use of signs to make our wants known"
 Continuing. Governor Brown soid "I am glad to see the evidences of prosper ity here in Birmingham. You have great town here, and I have been im- pressed with renewed business and com merclal activity here displayed"
 As Ex-Governor Brown Is a strong free silver democrat, the reporter had intend ed to ask how Mexico impressed him with silver-basis policy, but the distin- Euished Kentuckian had frankly avowed that he didn't speak the language of the natives and had not discussed politics.
 The party left at D. m. on the delayed Louisville and Nashville train for their homes in Kentucky. While in this city they were visited by several prominent Birmingham gentlemen who gave them 8 cordial greeting.