Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-08

re1sons that they 6.d SO, was because bolth Gov Jonias and Gov. Oates had rlo-, tice of Randolphs defalcaiion when it did not exceed $6,000. as far as ascertain able; and the fact that they as chief ex- ecutiveS allowed him to continue to dis charge the du les of the office, gave the sureties a moral and equitable right to relief in the manner agreed to. ,.s;., .s
 Gov. Johnstor seems to be so eof1sssl- tuted as to arouse grea. criticism from a certain coeerie of c1aquors. If there is any enc thing that will Sl rengt then the loyal support of his frie1lds,sft 1t is the P son strike of those who are stepped G. by the governor in the faithful dis charge of his duties all along the line.
 Alabama has business governor, and il makes some of the unbusfness1ilSe who have been cholSed away from the public teac like buIl-headed, br.ndle-faced calves inclined to switch their tails and below.
 Let them bellow!--Selma Telegram.
 Ex-Cfcv Tom Jones is out in another voluminous epistle. criticising Gov John ston's settlement with the bondsmen of Frank c. Randolph, the defaultiug pro- bate judge of Montgomery county The board of compromise. of which theagov- erner was member, found that Ran dolph's defalcation was known to Gov. Jones before he vert out of office; yet, Randolph was permitted to remain in office even after Gov. Oates went in. and
 
 squandered about $25.aogr and then he fled the country. ..s.,5 s5sso.
 In it's report on the compromise with Randolph's bondsmen, the board mn tfons the fact of the defalcation- having been known to Gov Jones and also 10 his successor. and 1t is the making public of this information that .arouses. ,e.5y. Jones and provoles him to take his pen, in hand He says: iase-s f,aI- er
 whether the compromise was. right T s.,- -aAT. -eI<.T posed to question: but do Know that the chief bcndsman and his, son were both conferred with by me Before E went out of office and they c9ncrrred in the belief that 1t was bess for them and the public interest that some time should be given the defauEting judge to pay up th1 six thousand and odd dollars of which Auditor Purifoy made official report to me some three or four weak before Qoxa Oates was inaugurated." ao Gov. Jones admits he wgs aware that, the probate judge was short fE his sc- counts several thousand dollars. He also Knew that Randolph was aFmen f-disso- Iute habits, yet he permitted him to con. tinue in office, at the suggestion of "the chtef bondsman and his son., in ordsc, to give him time to pay up his shortage. IT stead of makirg it good. however, Ran dolph confirmed his pseulatfcrs until forced to skip thsl country, and no effort was made to b.ng him back. sistrz <.
 Had tIOV. JOnnSiOn DCell Ill Oillcc d u Hr time he would have removed Randolph as soon as his shortage was discovered ard stopped him at once from handling. the peoples money. That would have been the only business course to pursue. Randolph was friend of both Jones and Oates and they tried t. shield him. rs= gardless of the public int terest. N7tW that E Gov. Johnston has taken hold of the ma t75. ter and settled it as best he could, e oy. Jones thinks there has bsen lack Of courtesy" sajs's..s
 The pubNc, especially those familiar with Gov Johnston's strict business methods. will acquit him of any anfinus t.5ward his pradeeessS Srs, or of aayzether motive thsn to protect the interests uf tie stnte-whith Gov. Jones and Gov. Oates failed to do because 1t would have involved their friend.
 The people can rest assured that no ] .rievfl.g public officer Will be. ailqwsd to naildle their money during the present | administration, if his stealfngss essre- yealca and they wif: stand by t'ssa gfsy- l ernor in his determination to protect ths