The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-24
MORE ROACTS
FOR THE GOVERNOR
Business Men Discuss the Railroad Com
miSSlOnOFShip.
ARE S0RELY DISAPPOINTED
Had Pressed Their Claims and Felt
Confident.
FAILURE TO APPOINT ToMLIMsUN
Viewed as Direct Slap in the Face by
Wholesale Merchants OF Jefferson
County-A Few Expressions
Gathered Yesterday.

Il can't understand his motive, but the
severe slap at the business men of Bir-
mingham by Governor Johnston is certain
ly keenly felt said prominent commits
sion merchant yesterday to a party VINO
were discussing the all-absorbing topic.
There is not a man in the county that
have yet seen who is not censuring the
governor for his action in not appointing
Mr. Tomlinson as railroad commissioner.
1t is not particularly on account of Mr..
Tomlinson personally that the people are
hurt, but the utter disregard of the largest
Shipping center in Alabama when its can
didate had four times the Endorsement of
any other man is where the district feels
the cut"
On a tour through Morris avenue yes
terday afternoon 1t was aseertained that
this was almost the unanimous sentiment
among business men. The commission
merchants and wholesale grocers are more
directly Interested in the appointment OF
railroad commissioners than any other
class of people, as their shipping trade is
the principal part Of the business.
Expressions of Merchants
The following short interviews will show
hiiaA d SltohS ASShhS liciS - hhio'i5 tAfc
merchants against Governor Johnston's Pc
culiar action:
Mr.. Simmons, of the firm of Simmons,
Durham & Co., said: II think Johnston's
action a direct slap at the business inter-
ests OF Birmingham. We went to Mont
gomery to ask for representation on the
railroad commission. but our efforts were
unavailable and Birmingham was entirely
ignored
Mr.. Giaacopazzi, of Giacopazzi & Co.. did
not have much to say, but thought that the
district ought to have been represented.
w. IL. Jones, a prominent broker: Il
went to Montgomery as the representative
of the wholesale brokers and consulted
with Governor Johnston, but when the
crowd came out of the office, L said to
friend that Tominson would never be APP
pointed. L looked close at Johnston's face
and it reminded me of a man who had
done wrong and was ashamed of it. He
couldn't look you straight in the eye. His
appearance was very much like man on
whom you had waited long time for what
he owed you and then tried to dodge you.
Several Good Reasons
'"rhis district certainly ought to have
been represented, for We have Y per cent.
of the shipping tonnage of the state. Only
few days ago 1 received a note saying
that the minimum rate for a car had
been raised from $4,000 to 10000 pounds. A
car will not hold 30 900 pounds of onions
in barrels, but we have to pay for 10000
pounds just the same to get the carload
rates. This is a great injustice and a
strong reason why We should have a man
on the commission who will see that our
rights are observed. With Johnston this
cut no figure whatever, though he had
previously told us that we were entitled
to representation"
Mr.. Shaver of Shaver & Co., was so dis
gusted with the governors aoticn that he
didn't want to say much. Johnston
couldn't get my vote for constable now."
said Mr. Shaver. 81 think 1t the meanest
trick 1 ever heard of to let the candidate
from this district, who had been his life
long friend run until the last minute be-
fore telling him he could not appoint hinA
~ was on the committee of three repre-
senting the wholesale grocers who went to
see the governor, and he was so nice to US
that I thought sure Tomlinson would be
appointed I was never more shocked
when first heard who were named for the
places"
Acted In Bad Faith
J. H. McCary, of McCary G. Co., said:
ut was certainly great blow to Jefferson
county. We represent Y per cent. of the
tonnage in the state, but were utterly ig-
nored by the governor, after he had told
us that we were entitled to representation
ON the commission"
M. Well, Of M. We'll & Bros, did not have
much to say, but remarked: II am sorely
disappointed in the governors action and
hereafter 1 will never trust any more poll
ticians."
R. e. Collins, of the firm of Collins &c Co.,
said: "I do not care to say much, but we
were all greatly disappointed over the
governors action towards the Birmingham
district We thought we were entitled to
representation and had a strong endorse
ment but all to no avail"
Besides these, there were many others
who had similar views, but did not care to
be quoted. Out of a list of fifty not man
was found who spoke favorably of the gov
ernors action.
MRS FRANCIS B. CLARK DIED