The age-herald., 1900-12-02
The Event Was Without Special
 Incident
CAPT. SANFORD GOES TO OPELIKA
Will Return to Montgomery Today and Announcements of Appointments May Be Made Tomorrow-Jelks
 May Take Charge of Office.

Age Herald Bureau, Hotel Clancey. Mont- gomery, December 1-(Speeial.)-Jus as the big clock in the dome of the State Capitol struck the hour of 12 today the official life of Joseph Forney Johnston ended, and Will liam J. Sanford legally became Governor of the State of Alabama.
 The transfer of the office was without special incident. There were some three dozen persons gathered in tfe reception room of the office when Mr Thomas D. Sanford entered. The young man was in- vited into the private office of the Gover- nor. and the door closed behind him. MT. Sanford had with him note from the seo- retary of state, that the oath of office by Governor w. J. Sanford had been duly filed in the state office, and also his own commission as private secretary. The con- ference in the private office lasted possibly for five minutes, and was ended when Gov. enor Johnston came out with hat in hand, and with accustomed cordlality shook hands with several of his friends. He seem- ed in good spirit, and it was several min- utes before he had gained the door. The retiring Governor left the building via the rear door, and strange enough, he re- tired in unofficial garb, the House was passing the bill providing for the holding of a constitutional convention in this State.
 Captain Sanford Took Charge.
 As Governor Johnston left the executive room, MT. Sanford was holding an infor- mal reception, many friends of the incom- ing administration offering congratula- tions.
 frt.z fee business to trasact during the day. He remained in the office until late in tho afternoon when he was driven to the Union station to board a train for his home in Opelika. MT. Sanford went to consult his father on some important matters. He will return to the city tomorrow afternoon.
 The appointments of Michael Screws of Montgomery to be recording secretary and of V. M. Drake of Auburn to be messenger were announced.
 It is generally believed that another batch of appointments will be announced Monday, including possibly the president of the Railroad Commission, and Universi. ty and Auburn trustees.
 JeIks May Assume Control.
 There is no certainty yet as to what will be the programme for Monday. There Is a general belief that President Jelks of the Senate, will be asked to take temporary COntrol or the Oi1lce. MT. JelkS gave IL as his opinion tonight that he would probably be asked to assume control He had no knowledge of any appointments, but said that in case any appointments were sent in by him that they would be in deference to suggestions of Colonel Sanford. MT. Jelks said that in case he did assume cons trol of the office that there would be no message to the General Assembly, as he had not considered the matter of advising that body. It will be absolutely necessary for some person to act temporarily in the office, as the General Assembly Is sure not to adjourn during the coming week with out a most phenomenal change in senti- ment. The constitutional convention bill and the general appropriation bill will both be passed before the recess.
 All Of the other State officials took lne oath of office for the terms prescribed by law.
 Thomas L. Sowell succeeds Walter s. White as auditor J. Craig Smith succeeds George w. Ellis as treasurer, and each Of the other State officials succeed them- selves,