The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-12

Montgomery, January 11.-fSpecial.)- It is reported around the capitol that Gov. W. D. Jelks vii be back at his desk within sixty days, though none of the men who are within his confidence will say anything in a positive way It is well known that he has been getting restless away from his work Mrs. Jelks and their daughter Miss Catherine Jelks, who have been in Alabama for several weeks, will return to New Mexico where the Governor Is stopping, within the next few days, and after they arrive at his stopping place 1t is thought a definite date of return will be decided upon. The Governor left Alabama on April 8, 1904, and has since been at Las Vegas N. NJ. where he has steadily improved in health since the first few weeks. Pictures re- ceived by his Alabama friends show him to be In fine keep and indicate that he has been greatly benefittea by the stay ii the west 1t was his wish to get back home in time to negotiate the deals for the refundlng or the state debt, and it is probable his desires may be gratified if he continues to improve.
 The force in the office of the Cover
 
 to more or less of a crippling extent, but things have about reasuumed the normal at this time. At first MT. Michael Screws, recording secretary to the Gov ernor, fell by the wayside and was ill for two weeks. Almost the same day he got back to service Miss Mamie Offutt, the confidential stenographer, was striek- en with a cold which almost ran to pneu- monia, and was out several days. How ever, Miss Ofutt returned to her post today and things have again resumed l their usual way.
 Col. II. II. Shorter, deputy insurance commissioner has returned from Eufaula where he went to attend a reception given by his sister Mrs. W. D. Jelks, at the home of Governor Jelks. He says that the people of that city very much en- joyed a talk given by Capt. R. P Hob- son at the Carnegie library last night. A North Alabama paper complained some days ago that Colonel Shorter was not getting as much recognition as head Of the insurance department as he was en- titled to. If that editor were here today he would be able to see that Colonel Shorter Is doing enough work to have wide recognition whether the papers give it to him or not. Among others items of today was seen his signature to re- ceipt for one of the big life insurance companies for a little over $5OO to be credited in their tax account.
 At the home of Mrs. W. D. Jelks in Eufaula Monday night, after he had de- livered his lecture at the Carnegie library, Capt. R. P. Hobson, who was a guest, was prevailed upon to give an account of the sinking of the Merrimack in San tiago harbor, which piece of work made him famous. He sat by the fire with a number of others and told of the trip and It's consequence in conversational tone. His own part in the affair was discounted, but he gave the highest praise to the brave fellows who were with him A gentleman who was present when he told the story says it was one of the most thrilling pieces of realism he ever listened to, and made the impression that the Captain is not only courageous in the discharge of duty but delightful as a relator of events.
 If slang be permitted one would just like to say that what the supreme court has done to the judiciary legislation oi the last general assembly is "a plenty. As a starter the consolidated court of Jefferson county was put to the bad followed shortly after by the late la mented legislative offspring of "Lusk oi Marshall" The Fourteenth and Fifteenth circuits, just shut out of the legal pale finish the dish, so to speak. As If. how ever, to show that it Is not after posi- tion measures alone, the court stepped over into Clay county and invalidateo the act repeating the court of that coun' ty. It has also been heard on courts oi inferior jurisdiction, declaring, in the