The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-30
COY, CUNNINGHAM
PRAISED BY BAKER
McclureS Publishes His Atti-
tude on Lynching
TEBBETTS Is IN DAN GER
Gossip Has 1t That Captain Walker Is
Reasonably Secure In His
Aspirations for the
Place,
RY HERNEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, December 29.-(Special)-
The January McClure's Magazine in an
article written by Ray Stannard Baker
pays a high compliment to DR.. R. M.
Cunningham lieutenant and acting gov
ernor of Alabama, incident to the stand
he has taken against lynching In the
south, or any other section Of the coun-
try. In Acting Governor Cunningham"
he says, "the people of Alabama have a
real governor-a leader-who is not afraid
to handle a dangerous subject like lynch
ing He sent a court of inquiry to Hunts
VILE, which found the local military com
pany worthless and inefficient because
1t had failed to protect the Jail. Imme-
diately upon the receipt of this report
the governor dismissed the Huntsville
company from the service, every man
in its" Later on the writer says that
"Governor Cunningham has taken bold
stand against mob law everywhere and
anywhere in the state"
Mr.. Baker interviewed Governor Cum
bingham, who expressed the following
sentiments on the lynching evil: II am
opposed to mob law of whatsoever kind.
be justified or extenuated for any crime,
be It ever so serious, it will lead to the
same method of punishment for other
crimes of less degree Of depravty, and
through the operation of the process of
evolution, will enlarge more and more
the field of operation for this form of
lawlessness.'
Speaker CompIlmented.
Mr.. Baker also gives a large share of
his article to Judge Paul speake, who
called a special session of the court at
Huntsville to try the Iynchers of Horace
Naples, and who was made target for
the unkind taunts of many who sympa-
thized with the lynchers. After review
ing his vigorous actions in support of
the maintenance of the law the writer
says of Judge Speakes position:
1T means something also when citizens
In support of their institutions, and out
of love for their city, rise above politics.
Judge Speake had been nominated by
the democrats to succeed himself A
democratic nomination In Alabama means
election. After his vigorous campaign
against the lynchers he became exceed
ingly unpopular amongst a majority of
the people. They resolved to defeat him.
committee waited upon Shelby Pleas
ants, prominent republican lawyer, and
asked MIN 10 run against Judge Opedket
assuring him a certain election. I will
not be a mobs candidate he said. I en-
dorse every action of Judge Speake.'
Farmers Organizing.
Much interest is felt at the capital in
the movement made in Lee county to
bring about a satisfactory organization
of the farmers of the various counties OF
the state to better the conditions Of the
agricultural classes. In a call signed by
eight leading farmers a large attendance
is urged at the meeting called by Com
missioner of Agriculture Poole at the
court house in Opelika, January 10, FOR
the purpose of forming county organiza-
tion." The call insists that "the time to
organize and take steps for the preserva-
ton of the interests of the south is upon
US. If we are to enjoy the fruits OF our
labors and reap the rewards that are
Justly ours, something must be done and
done by the people of the south In an or
ranized capacity. Throughout the cot
ton belt ruin, absolute, stares us In the
face" This movement Is regarded as
very encomag ing to those who wish
the best for the farmers of the country.
1t is a fact that there can be no real
benefit come other than through bus
mess organization. with definite purpose
In view, and with no shadow Of politics
contained therein
Republicans Uneasy.
The Alabama republicans are little
uneasy, one hears on the quiet, about
the President and what he may do in
Alabama. It Is pretty well settled that
a slate has been made up for the Alabama
positions. and the possibility Of Mr..
Roosevelt doing in the state as he did
with the postoffice in Baltimore gives
them a chill. The impression that the
President will turn down Collector Teb-
belts Of the port of Mobile is. however,
well grounded in the minds Of the party
men of the state. A leading republican
said the other day that there was no
doubt about what would happen in this
rase. It seems that some months back,
when the organization was being made
hp in Alabama, 1t was determined that
j. o. Thompson was to be chairman of
the state republican, committee and
Charles Scott of Montgomery, member
Of the national committee. Mr.. Tebbetts
is said to have opposed this arrange
ment. even after Mr.. Clarkson. the great
republican pie distributor of New York,
had sanctioned and requested 1t.
Man for the Place.
! There is some interest IN the discus