The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-24
Mr.. M'ELDERRY IS
NOW REPUBLICAN
Letter Written 10 TaIIadega
Paper Creates Sensation
ASKED TO RUN FOR SENATE
Formerly Represented This District as
Democrat but Says He Now Fsvors
Trusts, Tariff, Imperialism and
Other Radical Doctrines.

Talladega. July 2s.-(special)- fol-
lowing letter which was published in to-
days issue of Our Mountain Home has
created quite sensation locally. Mr..
MeElderry is one of the city's wealth.
lest and most influential citizens and has
been State Senator from this district
elected by Democrats, and has served
as mayor of the city. The letter here
published is in reply to a call for MIR. Nc
Elderly to become candidate for the
State Senate.
To the editor of the lone: I see in
your excellent paper call for the writer
to become a candidate for the State SEN
ate.
Returning thanks to lie partial friend
making this call. now voice the
wish of a majority of the citizens of
Talladega county by declining to run for
this or any other office
1t is an honor-the greatest of honors-
to live or die for country, and if l had
tact, adaptability, self-control and was
popular, nothing would suit me better
than serving my country; but as frank
and bibulous friend once said of me, I
have the poorest way of showing my
interest of any one he ever saw"
AS I grow older and the strain of max
ing living is past and l face a. childless
old age. l frankly own to a great desire
to have the affection of all men, but
am persuaded l shall lead more salts
factory life to myself and do as much
good by leading a quiet life as by at
tempting role for which am by tenn
permanent wholly unfit Then, too 1 am
at heart a Republican, and with the
changes brought about by our new con-
stitution I feel as If / ought to follow
my convictions. This, just, now is all the
harder for me because I have wiStful de-
sire for the appreciation of others and
would like just once to be on the popu-
lar side
For instance, I am heart and soul in
favor of a vigorous foreign policy. to
the end that the STARS and Stripes
shall float on every sea, and our goods
be sold in every mart. The fact that a
few Filipinos more or less, while trying
to "bolo'' our soldiers had quick ending
to their careers does not change this de-
sire. l am also In favor of so levying
our tariffs as to keep our own smoke
stacks going.
1 am in favor of the gold standard
l am an advocate of labor unions, and
of trusts.
Because some folk call labor unions
"hot-beds of anarchy" and call concen-
trated capital trusts does not change
the matter.
By labor unions Labor is beginning
to get a full dinner pail" and by trusts
we seem to have devised a plan to with
stand panics, keep labor constantly en-
ployed and to give the Public a better
article at a cheaper price
If the public will insist upon publicity
in all trust matters, and will back in
sistence by rigid legislation, to the end
that Trust Magnates," who issue stock
and bonds except for money and who
fail to make periodical statements shall
go to the penitentiary, we will get good
results from the trusts: for by publicity
the laborer will know when he is getting
a good wage the investor will know the
value of what he buys and the public
know If the article cost too much.
Knowing I am not in accord with the
majority on these several matters and
that 1 am unsuited for public position,
| shall not run for any office
II. L. MELDERRY.