The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-22
UNFAVORABLE TO
THE UNIVERSITY
Report of Commission on Claims
Against State,
OVER 100000 INVOLVED
Uncle" John Hall Will be Pardoned
and Will Celebrate Christmas by
Marrying Him Wife Del
egates from Dallas.

Montgomery, December 21.-tSpecial)-
The report of the commission to examine
the merits of the university's claims
against the state of more than 100000 has
decided against the university in every
case.
The commission consisted of Judge j. j.
Mitchell, of Florence, Judge Lapsley, of An
niston, and DIR. E. A. Smith of the univer-
sity DR.. Smith submits minority report,
finding for the university in each of the
three cases submitted.
This matter caused deal of discussion
in the assembly two years ago, when that
body came near deciding to recognize the
entire debt claimed. AS a compromise
measure the commission was appointed as
above stated. There was much trouble in
gaining information conclusive on account
of many records having been destroyed but
the majority of the commission decides
against the school. The reports are now in
the hands of the educational committees of
the two houses, and what disposition they
will make of them can only be conjectured.
However it is understood that the univer-
sity will claim that as only $500 900 of $3s20oo
of the original donation by the federal gov
been thus used, the state is still due the
school $4,000, with sixty-five years of in
terest at per cent, making total indebt-
edness by the state now of s4Ol 500. Should
the state recognize this claim as correct, it
would be the means of giving the univer-
sity an annual appropriation of about s24-
900, which is necessary to keep the school
UP to its present high standard.
Selecting Christmas Gifts
Governor Johnston has spent very busy
day examining applications for pardons.
These pardons will come in the nature OF
Christmas gifts, and perhaps several souls
win be made to enjoy merry Christmas
while many applications examined will be
refused.
There was a big batch of papers on the
governors desk this morning, and examin-
ing a batch passed upon 1t was noticed
that it contained thirteen. Lucky number,
governor, SO regarded by most news
paper men,
well, not so this time" replied the gov
ernor. There were only two pardons
granted of the thirteen requested
There was an application, however, which
the governor could not refuse. 1t was the
case of old Uncle John Hall who has been
serving fifty years sentence for eighteen
years. While in the prison at Wetumpka
Uncle John lost his affections to Aunt Mat
tie Noble, who obtained pardon last
spring. 1t is largely due to the peadings
of the old woman that the governors heart
was reached. 1t will be happy Christmas
for the aged couple, and their nuptials will
be celebrated at the prison next Sunday.
This morning the governor received the
following letter from Uncle John;
"Wetumpka, Dec. 20, 1898.
"Your letter of last May said to call your
attention to my case the goth of December
mex, that you toe my friend Matte No
bles, that you would turn me out SO could
marry her.
"And at youh refues I call you attension
to the abuv letter, trusting in the goodness
of your heart and a kind Providence that
be hear, and we are to get married on
Chrismus day, If am so fortunet as to re-
ceive pardon.
"And as / am and ole citizun of N c.
I will thank his Hon. to Restore my citizen
ship to me If you please sir. Your servant,
~. ]. s. HALL"
Hall was convicted of murder in Shelby
county in 1881. He killed Prince Cunning
ham, in Jefferson county. but obtained a
change of venue to Shelby when Judge
Mudd presided over the court and Judge
w. Coleman was solicitor. Cunningham
was killed while drunk and in threatening
manner. His petition for pardon has been
signed by all the prison officials, Including
DR.. r. M. Cunningham. He is In failing
health, but his inclination to marry sur
wives.
Delegates from Dallas
Hon. Paul Carson, member of the house
from Dallas, and one of the warmest advo-
Gates of a new constitution for the state.