The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-10
HUGHES WILL SOON LEAVE THE OFFICE Receives News ManfuIly Thai
 He Must Go GRATEFUL TO HIS FRIENDS Their Loyalty, He Says, is Worth More Than Any office-Makes Manly Statement-J. Rivers Carter
 Will Probably Get Place.
GRATEFUL TO HIS FRIENDS

Surrounded by friends and associates i of both political parties who had come to l exnress their sympathy and to assure him that DO matter what might happen they would always regard him affeetionateiy as a neighbor and highly as a citizen. pr. ], w. Hughes formally stated yesterday afternoon that he would soon be succeed ed in the postmastership at Birmingham -an office that he has held for the last eight years.
 Thompson Breaks the News.
 The announcement was made soon after the return to Birmingham of J. U. Thompson, the chairman of the repuo- ltcan state committee. Mir. Thompson had told Dr.. Hughes that in spite of the et- forts made in his behalf by an over whelming majority of the patrons of the nostofice. the Washington authorities hao determined that the irregularity detect ed in the administration of the ohiee re- ouired that he be displaced as soon as his successor could be appointed l Dr. Hughes received the intelligence manfully thanked MT. Thompson for all that had been done in his behalf and re- turned to his office on the first hoor'
 Presidents Favorite Poem.
 As he walked down the stairs and en- tered the room his thoughts and words drifted to these lines, which, by the way form one stanza in President Roosevelts s favorlte poem:
 Tn the fell clutch of circumstance I have not Winced nor cried aloud, With the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody but unboWed. I care not how black with hate, ., l How cha. ged with punishment the scroll I am the master of my fate
 I am the captain of my soul"
 The las four lines were repeated as the postmaster entered his office
 Treated Cordially.
 Good for you, Docl" said one Of his admirers. Put her there! That's the way like to hear man talk. Roosevelt couldn't keep you in, but he'd like that kind of spirit, anyhow. Now" he went on turning to the little company we've inst come here to tell you that this thing hasn't turned any of your friends against YOU. To us who know you, you're the same honest, upright, whole-souled, gen. erous fellow we've always known you to he. That may not be much comfort at tbis time, but we thought you ought to know it, just the same"
 "lt's Alright Boys."
 "Its all right, boys, all right" said Dr. Hughes. "Whatever. is. is right I'd rather have your good will than the best office in the world That's all-that's all"
 A Touching Incident.
 The company filed out. Only the clerks remained. One of them stepped up to the Postmaster
 "Doc," said he, "there are nine or us hack here. and all of us are poor, but every one of us would be willing to re- sign if we thought it would keep you Tn. Then the gray-haired Postmaster came pretty near going all to pieces, but he rallied, and with wave of the hand bade the boys good afternoon
 The Verdict.
 newsnaper man stepped up to the Postmaster.
 "Whats the verdict, pr. Hughes" he asked
 "Agin me-" said pr. Hughes. 'Yes. sir, aein me. I'm out. I leave here as soon as my successor is appointed"
 .eWho do you think will be the next postmaster at Birmingham was asked. pr Hughes reflected a moment, scrut- mixed the newspaper mans face and said:
 "J Rivers Carter"
 Then he went over to the window. stuck bis hands deep in his pockets and look ed ont in the street for moment. When he came back his manner was aitereo' his voice low and sympathetic ms air more than usually serious
 Dr.. Huqhes' Statement.
 I-I wish you would let me make a littla statement" he said. "I want to say something, but I don't know exactly how to say it. I shall leave the postoffice here in a few days. In leaving it, shall lcse the honor and the emoluments that inhere to it.
 "More Precious Than Office"
 .oThere is however, one thing that can not be wrested from me, and that Is the loyalty of my associates here in the of f,ce and the devotion of my friends here in Birmingham. They, after all are more precious than the rio lest emoluments of office. I wish l were able to express ir words what I have In my heart to say tc the people here at this hour-to demo- crats and republicans. white and black Hebrew. Catholic and protestant-who have supported me with confidence and sustained me with their sympathy throughout this affair. Toward each and every one of them l feel a sense of gratefulness that will abide with me while life lasts. I shall bel shall be extremely obliged to you if you will say that for me-"
 Carter in the Lead.
 While Dr. Hughes was saying these words, friends of applicants for the place were busy all over town in behalf of their respective candidates for the Bir- mingham postmastership. It seemed to be