Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-15

Hefin, Ala, April f3.-(Special Cores pondence)-rhough the weather has been severely cold and several white frosts in places, it is said that the fruit is not injured. There was a frost over all the hill slopes Sunday morning almost equal to a little snow, and then came very gentle shower of rain and it melted away, showing the fickleness of April weather.
 U::se most prominent republicans of this section are just now indignant beyond measure. One Jeff Austin, a coal black, thick-lipped negro, has letter il his possession from one Bill Stevens stating to Austin that whoever Arst.n may see fit to endorse for postmaster at Hef1in he will be the favored one. Austin claims that this is from the fountain head, as he has been informed that the records a Washington show that he is chairman of the republican executive committee of Cleburne county.
 Some of the leading families of I1ehn are republicans, but not of a type to ask negro to endorse for them. The democrats are wearing their broadest smile, while prominent republicans look blue and say nothing "outside of school" Then comes the question of the many postofice aspirants, Where am I at?" It seems there are many colors flying in the air and the would-be office-seeker it at a loss to know which road to take. The republicans have been as much di- vided the last few months as the demo- crats. It seems that the regular Nc Kinleyite from first to last, without a tremor or doubt, is to be the recognized wing.
 The bearing of the negro Jeff Austin is quite laughatle, to those who can look on and not lose themselves in contempt. He carries grip. wears a derby and black frock tailor coat and holds his head far back, and seldom deigns to speak to the common folks. He is a preacher of no great local fame. His wife is wash woman having at her command long list of words that Worcester or Webster never heard of, yet they sound very much like she had said them before. Austin is an up-to-date man, in some particulars. Only week or so past he was scrubbing kitchens, carrying in the weekly wash to the families where his wife did the wsshing; but today he is said to be hold ing back his sigma ture from impop ant papers waiting for a magnificent tip" The highest bidder will possibly get his indors4 4ment
 The negroes in this section nnea sure all issues by dollars and cents. Before the last county election it was claimed that khA demecra ts of Edwardsvi le offered the negroes of Hefiin saventy-five dollars on their new chooi building which they were erecting if they would insure dene- cratic majority from IIeflin beat The negroes consulted, planned and waited, and then it was claimed the republicans of Hef1in made them the same offer. So the negro voted as he was naturally in- clined, and had the amount, too, for their, school house.
 An ordinary state like Georgia has just accepted a boss, Col Buck, but it seems that Alabama republicans either don't want a boss or there are so many bosses they are dazzled to know who to choose Hence confusion, for the greatest efforts may all be leap in the dark-good if they bring success. Anyway, some of the knights of the round table" have written, "Tt is not the purpose of the ad- minisration 10 recognize women as con- potent officeh6lders. They give trouble" A death hlew to many an ambitious heart. S0l9ce can at least be sought from the rec5nt utterances of Phoebe Couzens,' the lifelong advocate of wo- mans suffrage: "Women in ruhlic life will never prove satisfactory; she is nat urally home keeper. I would advise all young women to marry and become horsekeepers."
 Another woman has written: "Ouell your ambition if you have home and calico dress. Stay at home and wear that dress with the air of a queen. Don't seek work at the national capitol"