The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-10

.acond Governor of Alabama. He Is the youngest Chief Executive of Alabama since the war between the States and with the possible exception of the two Bibbs he is the youngest Governor Alabama has had. wm. Wyatt Blob, the first Governor of Alabama was. 3S years old. He died after serving a few months and his brother, Thomas Bibb. who was but S6 years old, succeeded him. Thomas Biob was President of the State Senate and like Governor Jelks went into the Gov ernor's office by reason Of the oeatn oi the head of the government.
 The life history of William Jelks. who entered upon his duties as leader Of l. 900, 900 citizens of a great State when It was announced that William James Sam ford was dead, Is full of interest. Ap- parently 1t is long cry from the editorial desk of a small daily newspaper to the proud office which he has attained, but Governor Jelks covered the span and he has met every requirement of the office in such a way as to win and Hold the admiration of his fellow citizens.
 Three years ago the Governor was, just plain "Wilr' Jelks to a large circle of friends. He was editor of The Eufsula Times, proprietor of Eufaula book store and modest citizen of the Metropo- lis of Barbour, sometimes called 'the third grand division of Alabama" If Editor Jelks had political ambition 1t lay dormant in his breast. True, he had several times come to Montgomery to attend conventions of the Democratic party as a representative of the Barbour County Democracy, but other Alabama editors touched elbows with him in the convention hall.
 In the autumn of 1897 The Eufaula Times took a. determined position for the upbuilding of the city 1t represented. Its editorial columns made war on cotton combination which Editor Jelks declared was sappinR the business of the com munity. Each issue of the paper charged its local cotton men with combining to lower the market values of the staple thereby driving 1t to rival towns. It was shown that this was unfair to the farm CTS of Barbour and to the city of Eufaula which was losing trade which rightfully belonged there. The cotton men threaten ed the editor, but he continued on his way and the farmers of the county ap- plauded him. Jelks had conviction that the cotton men were discriminating against his neighbors, the farmers, and with his characteristic honesty he dared to throw down the gauntlet to the cotton men, The fight was won by the news paper and the modest editor, to his great surprise found himself the idol of the cotton producers who were able to find a good market close by their plantations due to his disinterested effort in theil behalf.
 When the following year came around A State Senator was to be elected from Barbour County. Colonel Hiram Flaw kins of Hawkinsville, and Dr. Floyd of Clayton, announced their candidacy for the place. They were two of the strongest men in the county. Friends gathered about the editor of The Eufaula Times and insisted that he was the man to represent that people in the higher branch of tSe General Assembly. Editor Jelks insisted that he cared naught for poli- tics. His friends were persistent. The farmers of the county rallied to his stan- dard and the business men of Eufaula who had seen the excellent result of his fight in the interest of the city acknowl- edged him to be loyal to the interest of the people.
 After insistent urging and without giv- ing the people an answer the editor reached a conclusion late one night while sitting at his editorial desk. He wrote his announcement and it was printed the next morning III HIS paper. 1HS quiSh decision resulted in the editor becoming Governor of Alabama.
 Editor Jelks was overwhelmingly elect ed to the State Senate, polling more votes than the combined votes of his two op- ponents. With the exception of being Superintendent of Education of the city of Eufaula this was the first public office he had held. This was three years ago. He came to the State Senate in 1888. His bright and forcible editorial work had already attracted the attention of the State and he found himself a leading figure in the Senate. His geniality, warmheartedness and strong chaarcter drew new friends to him and he went to his Barbour County home. prominent in the political life of the State.
 The Democratic State Convention came on in 1899 and Editor Jelks was chosen to preside. Again he proved his execu- tive ability and by his firmness and im- partiality won the admiration of the as- sembled hosts of Democracy.
 His election as President of the State bamans, Gen. George P. Harrison of Lee and Hon. Daniel J. Meador of Marengo is recent history. When the ii H'iiiam ,. Sanford. Of Lee. lay near rear to deaths door at his home in Opelika Soon after Mir. Jelks was inducted into office as President of the Senate he was 
 His first official acts showed such in- dependence of spirit and total disre gard of small politics as to set the tongues of politicians a-wagging, but the young acting Governor hewed to the line. His quick decision in important controver- sies and his unbending purpose to do his best was the talk of the whole State. He felt keenly his position, however. Governor Stanford was on sick bed in Opeliks His son, Capt. T. D. Sanford, came to Montgomery as Private Secre- tary to the Governor. Acting Governor Jelks consulted him upon all affairs of State He said that his official acts re- fected upon the stricken Governor and 1t was his duty to take the faithful son into his confidence.
 Thus the Governors office was con- ducted for more than month. Cover nor Sanford finally recovered sufficient ly to assume the duties Of the omce, and the President of the Senate resumed his position as a private citizen or Ala bama. ,, AL. - loved Governor of Alabama was in Tus- caloosa attending al meeting or tne Board of Trustees, he fell Ill., Death cama to him June Ith. MT. Jelks. Pres- iJent of the Senate, was in Beaumont Ts~as, looking after some oil interests winch he had with his brothers when the news reached him. He hurried to Ala bama and took up the retns of the or flee, after he had followed the body or his distinguished predecessor to its nnal resting place in the sequestered little cemetery near Opelika-
 This is the history of the political life of William Dorsey Jelks. It covers bare ly three years and today he stands be-