The age-herald., 1900-08-30
HON. JOHN Y. SMITH
 AND HIGH OFFICE
His Name and the Railroad Con-
 mission Presidency
OTHER IMPORTANT PLACES
Which Governor Sanford Will Have to Fill-Hundreds of Applicants Are Eager-Justices of Peace and
 Constables Not Qualified

The story was first printed in Selma sev- eral weeks ago that Governor Sanford in- tended to appoint Hon. John V. smith of Russell to be president of the Alabama Railroad Commission. This surmise is given further currency by the Montgomery Advertiser of yesterday.
 Whilst the appointment of MT. Smith is probable enough, it is needful to say that it is impossible that there is any direct understanding between MT. Smith and Governor Sanford to that effect. Up to the time the Governor-elec left Alabama for Tate Springs, immediately after the State election of August 6, there Is reason to believe he had not been approached on the subject by either Mir Smith or any of MT. Smiths closer personal or political friends. There has been a purpose enter tained for several weeks by MT. Smiths friends to urge upon Governor Sanford the appointment which they were con- vinced that MT. Smith deserved in every particular of general deserts This ap- pears to have been determined upon with out suggestion from the distinguished Chairman of the Democratic Campaign Committee and closest political and per sonal friends of the Governor-elect. With out newspaper discussion or any sort of concert of action this sentiment seems to have spread throughout the Democratic party of Alabama; thus assuming the form of an extraordinary public tribute to MT. Smith so strong and so it and proper that ro other man has applied to Governor Sanford for the presidency of the Rail road Commission. But the friends of MT Smith have constantly held to the virtue of timeliness; they abhorred the appear anee of oyer-hastiness.
 The newspaper discussion of the matter is likely to be embarrassing to both Gov ernor Sanford and MT. Smith, for it is not believed that MT. Smith has asked Governor Sanford for the honor or that he will ask him. His personal relations to Governor Sanford are so close that he very naturally would feel reluctant to ask his leader for the best appointment the Governor will have. There will be no doubt in the Governors mind that MT. Smiths appointment as president of the railroad commission is the single and sin cere wish of the Democratic party of Ala bama. The Governor will be assured, also, that such a distinction would be a grati6- cation to MT. Smith,
 The Governor's Patronage
 As to the other principal offices which Governor Sanford will be called upon to fill it is understood that hundreds of ap- plicants have presented their claims, more than one hundred asking for appointment to the two offices of convict inspector. The applicants for the adjutant general ship said to exceed sixty
 The Montgomery Advertiser has com piled a list of the more important offices.
 President of the Railroad Commission, now held by Captain James Crook Of Jack sonvlle; yearly salary, $3600.
 President of the Convict Board now held by Captain s. B. Trapp of Anniston; yearly salary, $500
 Two members of the Convict Board, now held by Captain k. w. Booker of Union town and Dr. w. H. Blake of Clay County; yearly salary, $2, 400 each.
 Back Tax Commissioner, now held by Hon. W. J. Wood of Florence; yearly sal ary, s2,400.
 Adjutant General, now held by Colonel w. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa; annual sal ary $1,500
 Ordinance Officer, now held by Lieutenant salary, s900.
 Private Secretary to the Governor, now held by Chappell Cory of Montgomery; yearly salary $1,500.
 Recording Secretary to the Governor, now held by Major H. B. May of Montgomery; yearly salary. s1,0OO
 Messenger to the Governor, now held by Horace Hood, Jr., of Montgomery; yearly salary 5000. Examiner of Public Accounts, now held by Judge John Purifoy Of Wilcox County; yearly salary, $1, 800.
 Two Assistant Examiners of Public Ac- counts, now held by James G. Cowan of Union Springs and w. R. Foster of Tusca- loosa; $5 a day each and expenses when at work.
 Three watchmen at the capitol; $65 a month each.
 Three servants at the capitol: $25 per month each.