The age-herald., 1898-11-23
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Hon. John B, Knox who is quite promf- nent in politics and the legal profession throughout the state, was in the city yes- terday. MT. Knox had been spending some days in Montgomery and was returning to his home in Anniston.
 
 Mayor J. M Elliott. of Gadsden, is at the Morris Mr. Elliott is president of the Elliott car works, one of the most prosper ous industrial institutions in the state. The city of Gadsden is involved in law suit with the water works company in the United States court and Mayor Elliott is here looking after the case.
 
 Congressman John II. Bankhead came and went yesterday. He was ubiquitous among local politicians and invisible to local reporters. Notwithstanding The Age Herald is able, by virtue of an extended in- terviaw with whom MT. Bankhead con- versed for some hours and who is one or his ablest and staunchest supporters, to present his views upon topic Wnlch IS a matter of especial interest to the people Of this city and state, inasmueh as u ln- wolves civic and state pride. The interview is given as it was spoken freely and with out qualification to the gentleman referred to above.
 q base my hopes and I have reasonable hopes," said MT Bankhead, for the dem- ocratic leadership upon two things. Ihe first I enumerate without personal nostlh- ty, but it is based upon personal grounds. Bailey, of Texas, as you know, has been the recognized leader of the democracy He is a young man, which is no crime as the younger Pitt demonstrated. But ne has an egotism approaching that only ai- lowed to a reformer-and he Is an icono- clast Daniel Webster is as giddy as court fool compared to this new sompre- roded expounded of the constitution. Ills overweaning egotism, his monumental sell assurance. his disposition to consider not moment of state or questions of govern ment and law but how his dulcet voice may ring and his white-shirted expanse or bosom appear, have alienated many men who seek sincerity in statesmen and sell abnegation in partisanship.
 s~Then Bailey has killed himself by hlS attitude on the war question and the eN- pansion idea. His own state of TeXas, the banner state of democracy, which has piled in the biggest majorities for five successive wears this country ever knew, defeated him, renudiated him, on his own narrow, con- stricted contracted views on the Philippine and Cuban questions Why, they've beaten him in every convention he's entered. fou know the truth of the matter is, Bailey seeks greatness by appositional ends. Reeo Is the great mogul of the republicans. Bailey thinks if he can oppose, with any degree of success, any measure Reed up- holds he is winner: Reed and the repup- uyitb Q democrats Tn up- holding America and Americanism against the world. Bailey took his cue and fought bo.--. And he's been whipped and will be ybioped all along the line on this issue.
 wants to reinquish all possible rights in Cuba, the Philippines and Porto RICO and turn our attention to the passage Of bills such as he fathered a few years ago making the Brazos river navigable where a hound pup can jump over 1t on three legs"
 t. Congressman Bankhead left last evening. He has seemingly the solid eastern south as supporters. DeArmond of Missouri, is really his chief opponent for the coveted honor. Between them they control the democratic minority. Bailey both believe to be hindrance, and combine in favor of one or the other will effect result they Q0tn QeSlre-dS QO lOliOWciS. U VIII doubtless be made.
 This is the story of dog, and incl dentally more of soldiers. There are lots of dog stories as well as fish stories. This dog is a fine St. Bernard fellow, and he fell in with two soldiers, or rather the two sol- diers fell in with him.
 The dog is the property of a Birmingham gentleman. The dog is quick to form the acquaintance of anybody with a kindly voice and friendly manner. The two sil- diers where they came from no one knows. Sldiers are on the streets every day, and their narratives are as varied in hue as the rainbow.
 The dog took a stroll about town with the pair of soldiers. A happy idea struck the one with the red hair and the jovial eountenance Without explaining his scheme he pulled his partner into a second hand furniture dealers place. He had seen the proprietor admiring the St. Bernard from a distance
 To the surprise of his chum the red haired wearer of the blue offered to part with the animal for $10. The proprietor wanted the dog but his experience on bar terlHS IOE SecOuu-ndnu dTllcl0S St0Od him well in hand and he haggled with the soI- diers until the dog was to become his for a two dollar bill.
 The auburn-topped patriot then nudged his partner and the other winked knowing ly. He must have once been an actor of emotional parts. His eyes suddenly yelled with tears. as he whimpered:
 We've brought him all the way from Santiago. It's hard to part with him now, but necessity bends us all. Many a night have slept with Rover by my side. Good bye faithful brute, farewell to my com panion. I will return for thee another day.
 He knelt down, kissed the brute square in the mouth, gave him a hug and then the pair hastened away.
 The real owner of the dog turned up shortly and the secondhand dealer is left to mourn the loss of the departed $2 bill.