The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-19
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE

The breakup of Governor Johnston's leg
islative sideshow at Montgomery brought
about the presence in Birmingham yester-
day of numerous politicians and public men
of all sorts, and more politics was dis
cussed in the Hobbies than on any previous
day for several weeks. Those senators and
members who were friendly to the cause
of the constitutional convention manifested
no dependency over the present situa-
ton. The governor had carried out his ex-
traordinary scheme, but the somewhat sud-
den adjournment of the general assembly
had left him with an ugly bag to hold.
He had forced repeal and the expenditure
of S13,50O of public money; but his cher
ished plans for enacting primary election
law and the submission to the people of
various constitutional amendments had
Failed utterly. 1t was charged with appar-
emily good reason that the governors heart
was really more strongly set in favor of a
primary law than it was on the repeal of
the convention act and it is well known
that he cherished the hope for amendments
to his own liking. In each of these earnest
desires he was disappointed; and therefore
the adjournment of the law-breakers does
not leave him in a contented state of
mind. 1t is not probable that his party in
the house consented to final adjournment
without his permission; but the senate
showed that 1t had come to possess a will
of its own by refusing to pass the primary
election bill, and by the display of feeling
of restiveness that appeared to Indicate
some sort of purpose to block all further
&c T1r~f ops,,
power to dominate and dictate had ceased
to exist. And SO he came to wish the SEN
ators and members a happy summer. But
why Summer Does the governor pur-
pose calling another extra session in the
autumn? That is an interesting question.
1t was thus that the gossip in the lob
bies ran.
States politics will now begin to take
shape and form lines as to candidates and
policies for 1900. 1t seems to be a trihe
early, but Lying politics is never at rest,
as this poor earth's pale history runs"
Within eight or ten months the primary
elections will be once more ordered, and
SO the candidates are beginning to make
their wishes known. The indications are
that Senator Cunningham has virtually de-
cided to ask the democratic party for the
goyernorship, though 1t is needful to say
that he declines to admit that such Is his
intention. This will increase the interest in
General Shelly's position. The general has
been regarded for several months as a prob
able candidate for the democratic nominal
ton for governor He is still so regarded
all over the state, and thousands look to
him the strongest leader for the demo-
cratic organization. But the general de-
clnes for the moment to say anything for
publication regarding his candidature.
"State Senator Walter Houston
Mathews, of Marion county, is a candidate
for the democratic nomination for state
auditor, and his record commends him very
strongly to his party" declared one of thu
senator's friends authorized to speak in
the matter. "Mr. Mathews has had wide
and successful experience in dealing with
taxation and public finances. Just after
becoming of age he was elected to succeed
his father as sheriff and tax collector of
Marion, the two offices being at that time
united. Subsequently he was elected tax
| assessor; and then, in good time, probate
judge. He succeeded Judge Terrell, who
| nad held the judgeship of Marion for forty
nine years, the Terrells having been pro-
bate judges of the county from it's organl-
cation Mr. Mathews discharged the du-
ties of all tile offices he held with signal
ability and success. When he became
judge the county was several thousand
dollars in debt. During his incumbency
he paid off the debt, built a substantial
court house, constructed twenty county
bridges, some of which were of iron OF
| steel; reduced the tax rate steadily, and
| retired leaving good surplus in the coun-
7 ty treasury. Four years ago he was elect
| ed to the senate, and since then has been
| member of the finance committees; his
| knowledge and counsel being of great
| value to the state Surely he is an emf
| nently proper man for auditor. NJ.
Mathews has been always a consistent
/ organized democrat, and Marion has gone
| democratic when every other county
/ around it in Alabama and Mississippi has
| gene against that party. He was born in
| Marion and has resided in that county all
his life. He is now in the prime of strong
manhood, physically and mentally
/ Congressman John H. Bankhead has re-
lufHGQ lIOm NOydS0 VI Inspection OF
| the Tennessee river from Knoxville to
| Riverton below Sheffield. He was one of
| several members, including Chairman Bur-
| ton, of the rivers and harbors committee
! OF tho house who desired to inform them
selves by personal inspection concerning
| the needs of the Tennessee. Colonel Bank
| head left the party at Riverton. The
| other members proceeded to the rivers
| mouth
| 1--WE had a very pleasant trip" said the
congressman, land found out many things
desirable to know in making appropriations
for the Improvement of t Tennessee as
| a navgable waterway. yny things
saw We're new and surprising to me, and
the information acquired will be useful in
| my congressional work. 1t is a great
river, and with reasonable expenditure
of money its usefulness can be vastly in
| creased"
| #%s
A n0tah1e visitor to Birmingham is lep-