The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-30
BLAMING THE GOVERNOR !
Charged That Refugees Were
HarbOred by 0pelika
AND ADMISSION SHUT OFF
Refugees Went to 0pelika Before Fever Was
Declared In MOntgomery-Not Retro
active-The Supreme Court.

The citizens of Admission are claiming
that Gov. Johnston has exhibited par
TALLY and that ne allowed Montgom-
erians 70 refugee in Opelika. The Annis-
ton Hot Blast published something to
This effect yesterday.
The governor says that a rumor reach
ed him Thursday, Oct 21, five days be-
fore any aoien in regard to- Admission
was taken that refugees were permitted
to go to Opelika from Montgomery. He
at once instructed Quarantine Officer
Virgins 90 ascertain the facts and re-
port at once. Mr.. Virgins sent the fol-
lowing telegram to State Officer Amer
inc:
"Gov. Johnston wants to know why you
are allowing people to sep at Opelika.
Wants to know by what route they got
there and If there are any officers on the
trains. Says he wants a full explana ion
at onee ard wants them removed. Ans
wer quick
The following rerly was received,
signed by Capt. Amerine.
Say to the governor that prior to.
ard ON eve, fever being declared here a
large number of people left for various
places; some stopped at opeHka, but
since no tickets are sold to interior
places and all cars are locked and Of
ffcars on all western trains enforcing
rules as against other places"
The state quarantine regulations per-
mitted persons from Mon gomery, Selma
or any other city, to leave and go to any
point in the state until the fever was
declared epidemic al the place. Local
regulations are often retroactive. but
Ihe states are not.
The Judges Want IA Special.
Gov. Johnston yesterday received the
following communication, signed by As
soclate Justice James B. Head, of the
supreme court:
1t becomes necessary. uEder the laws
of the stale, for the supreme court to
meet at Montgomery on or before the
6th of November. The court has re-
| solved to meet there ON the 9Th, and
members desire to conform to the quar-
antine regulations. It is proposed to
leave Birmingham on a special, arrive at
Mon gomery at IL M, proceed at once to
the capitol, open and adjourn court and
return on the special Immediately. This
can be done, not OBTAINING us more than
| thirty minutes in The city. We desire
| to know if there will be any objection
| TO our returning to the upper portion of
| the s. ate, or whether any other arrange
ment can be made tlrat will be approved
| to accomplish this result.
The governor at once sent communi-
| cation asking fer the opinion OF the S ate
board of health, and his decision will de-
perd upon the reply.
| A Consulting Engineer.
Prof George S. wilkins, of the chain
| of engineering University of Alabama
| has, with the approval of the governor
been appointed consulting engineer 20
| the railroad commission of Alabama,
! Prof Wilkins has had considerable prac-
| teal experience in the construction and
| examination of railroad bridges. He has
recently, at the request of me commits
| sion, examined the bridge of the Bir-
| nfingham and Alabama railroad over the
| Coosa river, between Pell City and Tai
| ladega, and will, in a few days, file his
| report.