The age-herald., 1899-06-07
IN HOTEL LOBBTES
 AND ELSEWHERE

LAlNO ELOE " 1ET\E Senator D. W. Pettus Is In the city He arrived on the early morning train from Blount Springs yesterday, and will leave this morning for Selma. During the day the senator received at the Morris a great many visitors, to all of whom he gave as- surance of being in excellent health. Sure ly he has not looked better or been fuller of the old fighting spirit for many years. "EYerybody seems to have gone to sleep," he complained, in reference to the remark able quietness now prevailing amongst tho leaders of the organized democracy. "our people don't seem to be taking an interest in the important state questions that arc to be considered. and it is not encouraging. The other side are at work"
 When my party has spoken in conven- ton it's decision is binding upon me, and upon all good democrats" Senator Pettus continued. Tt makes my platform and tells me how I am to fight. object to in- diyiduals attempting to make platforms for the party. There Is but one power that can frame the partys platform, and that is the party convention. The entire party speaks in convention, and all party men must obey"
 Senator Pettus's fire and spirit are very, very refreshing, in view of the slumber into which almost all the democratic lead CTS have fallen." said one of the most watchful and constant of the party work CTS. "1he distinguished senator one of the noblest and best-loyed men whose ge- nius has honored the state, is as ready and eager to contend with his party's enemies, inside and out of the ranks, us he was thirty years ago. The white people trusted and honored him then and they trust and honor him now. He is not afraid to speak out in meeting: he is never afraid of any thing under the heavens, except to do wrong."
 "It is noticeable fact" continued the worker, that the only really active men now in politics in Alabama are Represent- ative stallings and the governor. They are working with a will and determina- ton that bodes no good for their opponents. The game so far is one-sided. Yet the gov ernorship, Senator Morgan's seat, and a constitutional convention are involved. It may be urged that there is time enough for the beginning of an active canvass; but there isn't any such thing if the other side is already busy; and We all know the other side is working energetcaly. It is need- ful that the friends of constitutional re- vision should organize in every beat In every county; for everything depends upon the Character of the nominees for the leg islature. The real battles for the governor ship, for United States senator and for a constitutional convention will be fought out in the primaries beat meetings, as a matter of course; and arrangements for the struggle cannot be entered upon too soon. The party has it's work cut out for it undoubtedly, and the time to enter upon that work is now"
 Senator Pettus tells a story on Col& .el Sumpter Lea and the early "boomers" of Birmingham. Colonel Lea came to Bir- mingIham from Selma when the famous boom was young to have a look around and see for himself if the half that had been told was true. On arrival here he called on a former Selma friend, and the friend said:
 "Come with me, and I will show lot worth S30O0O.
 The visitor was shown the Boddie corner at First avenue and Twentieth street. and he wondered that so small a space of earth should be worth So much money. He then called on another old Selma friend, who sad to him:
 Come with me, and I will show you something in the way of Birmingham real estate-ona vacant lot worth $S0,00o.'
 For the second time Colonel Lea was shown the Boddie corner. and he promptly expressed his astonishment Proceeding to call on a third friend he for the third time received the invitation to go and see a $S0,000 lot, which proposition he accepted and on seeing the lot was for the third time astonished. This happened fourth and fifth time, and then Colonel Lea, being much amazed, hurried home to Selma in much confusion of mind Asked by his neighbors as to his impressions of the new town in Jones valley, Colonel Lea related how, in the course of one forenoon, he had been shown a $9000O lot five times. "I'n tell you, boys, it is Blow your own hornr Up there in Birmingham they know how to do that very thing"
 Colonel Lea thus had a graphic illus traitor of a virtue that has done much for Birmingham; and he so impressed that he came to make his home here, and saw that $30,000 lot rise in value to s100000.
 
 The formal announcement of the cand- dature of J. Craig Smith, of Dallas, for the democratic nomination for state treas urer is the second announcement for that position, the other avowed candidate being Senator Thompson, of Tuskegee, who was charged with breaking an understanding with certain of his colleagues by voting to repeal the act calling a constitutional con- vention. MT. Smith, who made an enviable record some years ago as state treasurer, is the son of the late Fred H. Smith, of Dallas who himself assumed the duties of state treasurer under peculiar difficulties After Isaac H. Vincent fled the state in