The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-25
IN HOTELLOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE

! The objection offered by Senator Bacon,
of Georgia, to the immediate confirmation
of David d. Shelby. of Alabama, as Judge
of the Fifth United States circuit, Is re-
garded as frivolous. It Is mischievous
somewhat, but it Is silly enough.
This objection to Mr. Shelby's conf1rma-
ton can serve no possible purpose except
to bring about delay. Mr.. Shelby will be
confirmed. A dozen Bacons couldn't pre-
vent that, and there is no special hurry.
Any time before adjournment will salts
fly Mr.. Shelby, who has perhaps the most
powerful senatorial endorsement any appli-
cant has had for high office in years. He
has behind him the two senators for Ala
bama, one senator each from Louisiana
and Mississippi, the senator's for Tennes-
see Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois,
together with senators for majority OF
the states. 1t Is alleged that Bacon objects
to Shelby because Senator Hanna favors
the Albanian. Yet Bacon sought Senator
Hanna's support for Mr.. Glenn, of Georgia
David D. Shelby. whose nomination Sena-
tor Bacon has caused to be held up for the
moment, is man against whom no voice
of censure has ever yet been raised, be-
cause he is a man whose character Is too
pure for the tongue of the slanderer or the
plant of carping critic ever to asperse to
any harmful degree. These facts are so
well known and so fully comprehended in
Alabama that Senator Bacon's action
comes as a surprise that Is almost shock
All the world may say that David Shelby
is mani
Mr.. Shelby was for some years the law
partner of General Leroy Pope Walker, of
Madison, who was president of the last
constitutional convention of Alabama,
twenty-four years ago. Leroy Pope Wal
ker, with two possible exceptions the most
eminent of all Alabamians, was secretary
OF war In the cabinet of Jefferson Davis,
and 1t was he who sent the fateful order
for the firing on Fort Sumter. That order
was sent out from Montgomery in 81, and
was written in what is now Mabson's hotel,
corner of Commerce and Bibb streets. Lee
roy Pope Walker was the most engaging
type of the old southern gentleman, and
one of the ablest lawyers who has ever
practiced at the Alabama bar. No man,
high or low. ever came into personal con-
that he was in the presence of a mastery
man-one to reverence, If not to love. In
many respects, he was the first Of Ala
bamians.
1t Is an interesting fact that United States
District Attorney William Vaughan began
life as clerk in the office of Walker &
Shelby in Huntsville. At odd times the
young clerk read law, and he enjoyed the
priceless counsel and advice of Leroy Pope
Walker. The changes of time bring 1t
about that the young clerk is largely in
strumental in securing the appointment of
his former master, Mr.. Shelby, to be a
United States circuit judge.
Amongst the distinguished gentlemen
| who came to Birmingham from Montgom-
| cry yesterday was State Senator w. H.
| Matthews, of Marion county. No man In
the legislature took higher stand than
he did. He is a lawyer of great ability,
| man of the highest character, is loyal to
| principles and to friends. In the senate he
has served on the most important COM
mittees, and often presided as temporary
| president OF the senate. On his return