The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
POLITICiT.
 FOL
The AdminiStral
 of CObA
BY D. ". McIYER.

Tt does not happen often that one has 4he great pleasure of meeting two ex- Governors in the shadow of the Capitol, vet such was my good fortune one after noon a little while ago.
 lust as the dusk of evening was spread Inc over the earth, I met Governor Will liam Calvin Oates at the front steps of the Capitol grounds on his way home. As is his invariable custom, he stopped A moment to say kindly word when we had separated and I started down the street and Governor Oates up the steps, Governor Thomas Goode Jones appeared on the walk above the steps coming from the library, where he spends much or ms time these days. and hailed me
 Hold up," he cried. ''and I'll walk half way down with you"
 Governor Oates and Governor Jones-mat half way down the steps, and returned to wait for Governor Jones, now Judge Jones of Uncle Sams court in Middle Ala bama.
 I listened to the conversation between the two friends and distinguished citi- gems.
 well, I have just finished writing the chapter in my book about Forrest" said Governor Oates.
 Don't be too hard on him." quickly re- piled Judge Jones. flor he deserves much more than many people give him credit for"
 "T have endeavored to be fair and im- partial" said Governor Oates, and have given extracts from some of his best friends and greatest admirers. refer to the interview between he and Bragg, when he said some hard things to Bragg.
 ''Yes, know that is the report" said the Judge, but I never believed 1t hap pened just that way; there must have been some misunderstanding about It.. I know that Bragg was as brave man as ever nved.''
 That may be true" said Governor Oates, but there are times when it re- uuires the greatest courage for fellow not to resent hard things said to him. Bragg may have realized that to do so meant death to he or Forrest, and per haps to both.
 The conversation drifted to General Gordon and 1t was agreed that he wrote we'll and most entertainingly. Then re- marked Judge Jones: T am going to write my "reminiscences of the war some day, when I can find leisure and a stem ographer convenient. but I am not going to print them until after am dead.''
 Nobody can curse you then" laugh Ingly replied Governor Oates.
 Then we separated, Governor Oates Go- ing home and Judge Jones and myself going down town.
 Four Ex-Governors.
 Tt is not often one enjoys the privi- lege and distinction of meeting two ex- Governors of a great State at the same time and hears so interesting and in- structive a conversation" remarked.
 NO. 1t does not happen often," sad Judge Jones, "that two ex-Governors live lin the same town. But how many of us are there left?" he asked. "I said at once that there were only four Thinking for moment and going over the list. the Judge said: Lindsay is dead. and there are Cobb, Jones, Oates and Johnston in the orGer named; yes, that Is true. there are only four of us living, and how long will 1t be before we will be gone? Not hong and we will be soon forgotten"
 T was thinking of you," continued Judge Jones as We walked along, "a day oF two ago. as I sat smoking and recall ing the days when I was Governor. One a9tefnOon as you eama into my Ofacs to