The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-07
DAY OF ORATORY
IN LOWER HOUSE
Younger Members Deliver Speeches for
EdiilCatiOn Of the Gallery.
BOUQUETS IN PROPULSION
We're the Representatives Reward Tor
We're the Representatives Reward Tor
Their OfatOriCal Gymnastics.
BILL TO DONATE PUBLIC LANDS
Legislators to Deliver Discourses
Which Had Been Carefully
Rehearsed in Bed Rooms.

Montgomery, February S.-(special)-It
has been day of oratory in the house.
Notwithstanding the fact that neither the
d.spensary bill nor jefferson county matters
were up for consideration. 1t has been a
| day of patriotism and questions of personal
| privilege.
The bill by Mr.. Cornelius, of Cherokee,
| to donate to Mrs. Emma Sausom Johnston
a section of land In this state occasioned
the former, and newspaper reports of pro-
ceedings in the house chamber and the
| First Baptist church caused the latter
The question of donating section of pub
lie land to Mrs. Johnston has been more or
| less before the pubic since 1868, when John
| Gill Shorter was governor of Alabama Ala
bamians and all southerners are familiar
with the story which has occasioned this
effort. During the war between the states
when the federal forces were raiding north
ern Alabama. heroic girl, 16 years of age,
conducted General Forrest across the ford
OF Black creek and enabled him to cut off
the federal forces in their march to attack
| and destroy the iron works at Round Noun
tain and the town of Columbus, Ca, where
much of the confederate stores WERE The
federal forces had crossed the Tennessee at
|
and his men, The Federal troops crossed
Black creek in Cherokee county and burned
the bridge behind them. When General
Forrest arrived at the scene Miss Emma
Sausom volunteered to pilot him to the ford
of the creek, riding behind the general on
his steed, and going with him in the midst
| of the fight.
| The advertisement had been made that
=,
Johnston, nee Miss Sausom who is now
residing in Texas, and is in destitute Cir
cumstances, by donating her a section of
| land. The young orators of the house were
| on the programme and the gallery barely
| furnished Standing room for the ladies in
attendance, many with pretty bouquets.
Wallace of Madison
John Wallace, of Madison, opened the dis
| cusSion. The cheers which greeted his ap-
| pearance lasted until the speaker had al
most worn out his gavel rapping for order
! 1t was the effort of Wallace's legislative
career. In pathetic WORDS he told of the
| bravery and heroism of Miss Sausom, and
| time and again he was interrupted by APP
| piause.. When he concluded most beauu-
| ful peroration there was a perfect shower
of flowers from the gallery, and long-con-
| tinued cheers He always gains the SYM
| pathy Of the gallery.
| Tom Hetn followed in one of his bright
| est and wittiest efforts.
| Following Helm was Captain Ben Screws
| He is one of the most brilliant orators of
| the assembly, and his effort today was in
keeping with former ones.
Mr.. Marbut related the story of General
Forests praise of Miss Sausom's heroism
Mr.. Golfer was the only member who
dared oppose the measure. He said in the
first place it was unconstitutional, and In
the second the state had no lands to donate
He was opposed to the house willing away
the morning session for the purpose of al
lowing young orators to carry out pre-
arranged programme to get a shower of
flowers from the gallery Mr.. Golfer re-
ceived no flowers.
AS Mr.. Hefiin, of Randolph, was recognize
ed some member objected for the reason
that ''he was not on the bill of fare" He
made the best speech of any of his previous
efforts supporting the measure.
Tired of the Discussion
Mr.: Lovretta had grown tired of the dis
cussion of the measure, which, If passed,
would not in the least benefit the person
intended. He, therefore, moved as an
amendment, that each member yield one
days pay to the lady, which would show
more patriotism and prove a vast deal more
beneficial. 1t looked a moment as if this
suggestion would prevail, but the speaker
ruled it out of order, and the previous
question being moved on the passage of the
bill, Mr.. Brandon, chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations, closed the debate
with beautiful speech on lovely woman
The bill passed by vote of n to 5,
MessrS. Golfer Arlington, Harris, Seymour
and White voting no.
Soon after the house convened this morn
ing Mr.. Hood, of Montgomery, arose to
question of personal privilege. He called
the attention of the house to The Age-Her-
AIDS report of the debate on the Jefferson
county commissioners court bill. He ask
ed the clerk to read that portion of the ar
ticle which referred to the speech of Mr..
hal alaro o6
that the governor was holding up certain
appointments to influence votes for the bill,
and Mr.. Kyles demand to know If the
charge in any way related to himself.
Mr. Hood who is also applicant for
railroad commssionership, with a slight
tremor in his voice, spoke as follows:
Hood Has a Say
"NIr. Speaker: It is with much regret
that ] rise on the floor of this house to a
question of personal privilege in defense of
my honor and my manhood. No man has
ever with impunity assaulted by good name
in the past and no man shall do 1t in the
future My attention has been called to
an article which appeared in yesterdays
Age-Herald which purports to be the report
of speech made by gentleman on the
floor of this house on the day previous.
during the discussion of the Jefferson
county commissioner bill. The article I
wish to send to the clerks desk and have
read for the information of the house"
The clerk read the section of the article
where Mr.. Gibson had charged the governor
with holding appointments in exchange for
votes for the bill abolshing the Jefferson
county commissioners court
1.-THE reporter was certainly correct In
his statement as to the confusion that pre-
vailed in the house at the time the remarks
of the gentleman quoted are alleged to have
been made which accounts for the fact
that failed to catch the full import and
meaning of the words of the speaker" con-
tinued Mr.. Hood.
"Now, Mr. Speaker. in view of the open
charge that mas been made upon this floor,
placing me In false position before this
house; in view OF the fact that have been