The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
CARMICHAEL IS
 STATE AUDITOR Bragg is at Head of Convict
 Inspectors NAT CLARKE GETS PLACE
EnsIey Man Becomes Physician h. spector-Governor JeIks Makes Appointments Which Become
 Effective October 1R
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

6Y 6EHVEI w. IHlhSs
 Montgomery. October 7.-(Special)- These appointments were given out by Governor William D. Jelks this after noon:
 To be judge of the Walker county law and equity court, Thomas 1. sowen Of Walker county.
 To be state auditor to succeed Col. T. l.. sowell, resigned. Judge J. M. Car michael of Dale.
 To be president of the state board or convict inspectors, pr. Shirley Bragg, now physician inspector.
 To be physician inspector to succeed pr. Shirley Bragg, pr. Nat G. Clarke of Ems ley.
 The appointments are effective October 15, at which time Col. T. l.. Sowell. whose appointment to the judgeship of his coun- ty has caused all the shift, will assume the judicial functions of his new office. relieving Judge Peyton Norvell. who re3 signed last week.
 Caused Stir.
 The announcement of the appointments made much of a stir about the capitol. The well-known applicants for the ISxce as auditor were Judge J. T. Cook, the present chief clerk, and Brooks Smith, warrant clerk, both of the auditors or flee, and Gen. William w. Brandon, ad- jutant general of the Alabama National Guard The matter was more interesting for the certainty that both Smith and Brandon are candidates for the democratic nomination for the place next year.
 Q neither Cook or Brandon would land, because it was thought the governor would not want to give either an advan- tage over the other in such race by giving him fourteen months in the office. No one suggested Judge Carmichael. and 50 far as is now known there was no spec uIation with his name.
 The governor has had the resignation of Auditor Sowell since yesterday, and 1t was thought all day that he was going to give out the name of his successor. However, he held the matter over untA,to day In order to fully satisfy himself of the desirability of the whole plan. having decided this afternoon to make the ap- pointments. They were, therefore, given out just after he came from his noon- day meal.
 SoWell Popular.
 The appointment of Thomas L. Sowell to the bench in his home city comes in response to the expressed wishes of the bar and the citizens of the county. The governor has a wonderfully fine endorse ment from a large number of leading men, all of whom urge the appointment In fact 1t is call from his friends and neighbors that Is remarkable in its unanimity and heartiness. Long petitions from several points in the county are in besides the personal requests that have been made.
 The history of the appointment of Col onel Sowell Is about this. When the Walker county law and equity court was repealed by the legislature some time ago Judge Noryell, of course, dropped out. Before the court was reinstated by the invalidating the repeating act two years had passed. Judge Norvell made applica- ton for the salary of the interval and the court of county commissioner refused to pay 1t. It was contended that he was illegally elected as the act said and cleo tion should be in August and he was chosen in November, and the payment was also resisted on the ground that 1t had not been earned.
 Agreement Reached.
 It was finally agreed, it is said, that certain amount would be paid by the county If Judge Norvell would perfect the title to the office, so to speak. The only way to do this was by resigning. After some days 1t was decided that if Colonel Sowell would agree to come back and take the place he. Norvell would re- sign and not stand for appointment 1t being the desire of the judge to give all his time to care of his extensive mining properties. The matter was put up to Colonel Sowell and he agreed, after spend Ing day in Jasper to look over the field. to take the place. The demand for him to return to his own people was too great for him to resist. It was also fact that he was not mixed up in any way with the contentious that have grown up over the court Colonel Sowell has been state auditor for five years.
 The New Auditor. l. M. Carmichael, the new auditor does not go into strange territory. He was in the same service several years ago and made A magnificient officer. It Is related at the capitol now that he was one of the best auditors the state has ever had. His home is Dale county, where he owns several fine farms and he has been a cir cult judge for many years of his life He Is man of rugged integrity and marked force of character and has made his administration of the convict department the wonder of the whole United States. He has also served as probate judge of hls county and in the legislature, and Presidential elector. He was appointed president of the convict board in 1901 by Governor Sanford He Is an old time democrat and an uncompromising Meth odist.
 pr. Shirley Bragg.
 Dr. Shirley Bragg. who becomes presi- lent of the convict board, has never held public office save as a member of the board. He came to Montgomery in 1896 yInce which time he has been in the prac- ice of medicine here. He has been instru- mental in reducing the mortality of the tate convicts to less than per cent and an uncompromising enemy to the coun- v convict system. For all years he has been in the service of the state he has ,een at work to build up sentiment for cleaner jails and more humane methods If caring for county convfcts. He will ,e able in his new position to greatly Idvance the work he has so wellVeene.
 Dr. Bragg was also appointed by w- srnor Sanford. He is a member of he Episcopal church and a man of wide knowledge in his profession. He has work d along with Dr. R. M Cunningham. aossfovaat 0nuovuor sovvnz <lx1o fx