The age-herald., 1899-03-29
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

to Montgomery. The distinguished con gressman has a personal interest in the convention, which assemblies in the historic old capitol at noon today; for his eldest son, John H. Bankhead, Jr, of Walker county, will in all probability be nominated delegate from the state at large to the constitutional convention; and right wor- thy the young man is of that honor. Since his return from Washington after the ex- piratien of congress MT. Bankhead has been resting quietly at his home in Fay cite, except as to attending his county convention and taking some interest in the canddature of his son. His commanding position in congress and his probable selec- tion as the democratic leader of the house in succession to MT. Bailey make his move ments at this time of more than passing interest. MT. Bankhead expects to spend two or three days in Birmingham after his return from Montgomery.
 
 The Associated Press stated yesterday that Col Hilary A. Herbert, former secre- tary of the navy, still had hopes of saving the life of Francis c. Randolph, sometime probate judge of Montgomery county, who is under sentence of death for murder in Colombia, South America. No man was ever more faithful to his friends than Col Herbert. His long-continued and tireless efforts in behalf of Judge Randolph illus I trate and emphasize a noble trait in the character of the former secretary. For many years Randolph was the most pow erful political force in Montgomery county and he was Col. Herberts steadfast friend Col. Herbert never has yet and never Will forget a friend. In serving his friends ne has seemed to find the chief pleasure or his life as a public man. Scores Of Ala bamians have been aided by him in op- taining honorable and lucrative positions in the various branches of the pubic ser vice. Itis not probable that there lives ln the world a better man than Hillary A. Herbert. Certainly there is no man more faithful in his friendships.
 
 "rhe American government has been notorious a hundred years for its failure to protect or exact justice for its citizens in foreign lands" remarked a man in the | lobby. .The case of Judge Randolph in 1 Colombia presents no new features, except in the studied cruelty with which he mas | been treated. As for the outrages neap- l ed upon him, they are of no moment to our government. American citizens in foreign lands have been outraged ever since Amer ica began to exist as nation, but our government never demands adequate re- dress For this reason foreigners have lit tie respect for us as a nation. year or two ago I was in Mexico, and one evening strolled into place of public resort for men. At gaming table l recognized one of the players as a man whom l knew twenty years before. I knew you long time ago, said to him cordially. Your name then was Wood That is my name, he said. May I speak to you?' He took mo aside and, after friendly greeting, he 1 begged me not to say word that would | lend the impression that he was an Amer | ican. l asked him why. I have been liv- 1 ing here for fifteen years as a British sub l ject, he said, enjoying absolute protec- ton and perfect consideration. But if these people knew l was an American cit izen they wouldn't hesitate to kick me into the street, or to commit any other outrage | upon me, for they know that our govern ment affords no protection to its citizens abroad The experience of this fellow countryman in Mexico is the common ex- pcrience of Americans in all lands"
 
 Quite true" observed another lobby lounger. "Our country pays little atten- tion to such of it's citizens as fall into trouble in foreign lands Our consuls, as a rule, do everything in their official power l to help their countrymen in trouble; but consuls count for little in such cases, sec ing that they are not backed by the mili- tant power of the United States. A con- sul cannot send a distressed American | fara s,lA starving in the street, but the law forbids the consul to aid him. On the other hand, every destitute British subject in a foreign iand can go to the nearest British consul and get sent home. In 1896 a British squad | ron was sent to Bluefelds to compel the | payment or $SO,OO0 damages to British sub- | Jects. Several years ago a British sub l ject was outraged in Hayti. Within few days a British squadron appeared in the l principal port of that country, and the admiral gave the government six hours in which to pay $1O0,00O damages and salute the British flag, failing in which he would reduce the town to ashes. That is the way | Great Britain protects her subjects. Tha Randolph way is the American way" | One real estate dealer in Birmingham yes- | terday closed contract for the building of twenty-five Substantial dwelling houses | on the South Highlands, and another con- | tract was closed for the building of ten such houses. Numerous residences are be- ing built at prices ranging from 5000 up- ward. This shows something of what is going on in the development of Birming- ham.
 I
 | Monday was progressively hot, like day at the end of May. Yesterday was cruelty cold, and after o'clock last night few scattering flakes of snow fell, driven by a high bitter wind. Yesterday on bill of
 fare of local cafe was this temptation: Strawberries and cream-i0 cents." By the
 beard of the weather-clerk, we are hav- ing some weather!
 Messrs. Smith of Boston, and J. D. Mo-