The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-09-29


as successful man of affairs are envable,
and the fair directors have done no wiser
thing than his election to the presidency.
He is an inspiration to effort within him
self
President James X. Powers, of the State
University, who was in Birmingham yes
terday, says the prospects for a large at
tendance of students at the university are
highly encouraging. October 4. next We'd
nesday, will be the opening day, and Presl-
dent Powers is confident that the number
of students present will be highly satisfac-
tory
Representative r. r. Poole, of Marengo
a Vice-president of the state fair, and the
only publicly announced candidate for
state commissioner of agriculture to sue
coed Major l. F. Culver. spent Yesterday
with friends in Birmingham. and last night
proceeded south. He speaks with entire
confidence of being successful in his cam
vass.
Congressman WILLIS Brewer of the Fifth
district made one of his rare visits TO Rtr
mingham yesterday. 1t is Colonel Brewers
gauit that he Is personally less known in
Birmingham than the other Alabama Con-
gressmen for it is seldom indeed that he
comes to the political and Industrial capt.
tai OF the state By reputation, on account
CT his long and distinguished public
service, he is known to all Alabamians and
honored by all; but he is neglectful of his
social duties to these Jeffersonians Hence
his visit yesterday was much appreciated
n mo, IL,
so long conspicuous in the eyes of Alaoam-
ians Colonel Brewer He was auditor of
the state twenty-five years ago, and since
then he has held Constantly a leading posi-
ton as a member eff the general assembly
and of Congress. Before he entered Con-
gress he was of the four men Of con-
spicious power who edited Alabama news
papers The four acknowledged leaders of
journalism, who fought for the political re-
demption and regeneration of Alabama
were John Forsyth CT the Mobile Register,
Robert Tyler of the Montgomery Adver-
tiser, Robert Mckee of the Selma South
ern Argus, and Willis Brewer of the
Hayneville Examiner. In felicity and
force eff language Colonel Brewer divided
horrors with even Colonel Mckee Years
ago he retired from newspaper work, and
has since devoted himself to the public
service and to the exacting duties OF a re-
markedly successful career in private bust
ness AS statesman, author, scholar, wise
student of literature, he commands the es-
TEEN eff all thoughtful and scholorly men.
"All men and women should acquire the
habit of signing their Christian names to
papers and all instruments of writing to
which they are called upon to certify"
said an experienced lawyer of Birming-
ham. This should be made to apply to
letters as well as legal papers; an it
should be impressed upon children in the
schools Even the general public is aware
of the inconvenience arising from the
universally prevalent practice of repre-
senting Christian or given names with
simple initials. Lawyers know this prac-
tice to be most annoying one; and the
records of the courts will show that it
gives rise to trouble, frequently amounting
to expensive litigation. 1t possibly arises
in part from our absurd national weakness
of giving double triple names to help
less and defenseless babies: not to men
ton the positively heathensh custom of
bestowing upon newborn infants the names
of successful politicians, or army or naval
officers who have slain a few savages, or
shot a thousand or two more or less
civilized persons. In legal processes is
where the initials nonsense gives rise to
most annoyance. A court of record has to
deal with J. Smith, for example. The u
may stand for John, Joseph, James, Jere-
miah, Jedediah, Jehosaphat. or any other
name beginning with the eighth letter of
the alphabet; whereas if the full name
We're spelled out the real Smith could be
easily identified. d. Jones may represent
Dewey Jones, Daniel, David, Donald or
any one of a regiment of Joneses. And a
woman with the euphonious name of Mary
Elizabeth Jane Snodgrass is certain to
sign letters and papers M. e. J. Snodgrass.
I'll swear I couldn't love any woman who
signed her name with mere initials. She
might be my sweet Betsy" but I'd fly
the track If ever l saw it e. Robertson
My Mamie could never be my M. J.. Clod-
hopper. But it takes a lawyer to feel
very fully respecting this initial business
Speaker Charles E. Waller of Hale is in
the city in the prosecution of his notably
active canvass for the democratic guberna-
torial nomination. Mr.. Waller has already
visited about half the counties of the state,
and purposes visiting the others.
Colonel Daniel Collier, who recently re-
moved his principal law office to Tusea-
| loosa was in Birmingham yesterday and
was warmly greeted by many old friends.
W. C. Brockway and Attorney Black
wood, of Gadsden, were in town yesterday.
Mr. Blackwood is a law partner of Amos
r. Goodhue, whose health continues I'M
satisfactory, as the public will be sorry to
know. Mr.. Goodhue is under medical treat
ment in New York.
T. w. Pratt and J. r. Boyd of Huntsville
are at the Morris.
Convict Inspectors E. w. Booker and W.
H. Blake are in town.
Colonel Francis Gordon Caffey OF Mont
gomery is in the city. He is leading coun-