The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-11
THOMPSON BACKS
 ], RIVERS CARTER Says He Will Recommend Civil Engineer for DostmaSter8hip LEES FRIENDS STILL ACTIVE They Protest Against so-called "one. Man Power''-captaln Lee, They
 Say, Is the Peoples Choice.
 Leo Isn't "PoIitlcian."
LEES FRIENDS STILL ACTIVE

J. O. Thompson. in his dual capacity as chairman of the Alabama republican state committee and one of the Presi- dents referees in this state. told three committees of Birmingham business men yesterday who called to urge Capt. James w. Lee for the postmastership. that he had decided to recommend J. Rivers Car ter for the appointment
 The three delegations who called on MT. Thompson represented the Produce ex- change, the retail merchants and the iob- bers It was the purpose also of Cap tain Lees friends to have delegations of lawyers, brokers and wholesale grocers to call on the state chairman later in the day, but Mir Thompson explained that inasmuch as he had made np his mind it would be unnecessary for them tc come.
 Political Reasons.
 The Presidents referee took occasion to speak highly of Captain Lee. 'I reeog- nize that all you gentlemen have said Is true. Captain Lee is an ideal citizen. So also Is MT. Carter, and there are polti- cal reasons which justify me In recom- mending MT. Carter for the appoint ment."
 In spite of MT Thompson's action the friends of Captain Lee will not relax their efforts to have him appointed. Nu- merous telegrams from business interests 1T, Birmingham have been sent to the President and the Postmaster General. urging Captain Lees appointment Hun dreds of the best citizens of all classes continued yesterday to sign hls petition.
 "one-Man Power"
 There Is In some quarters a disposition to resent the lone man power" which, 1t Is said, is dlctatlng the appointment of MT. Carter. Captain Lees friends assert that if the question could be put to a vote O. the patrons of the postoffice, or os the republicans of the city, Captain Lee would win by a good majority. They say that the only thing that can be said against Captain Lee Is that he is not a politician" He is, they point out accept able in every other respect.
 Captain Lees Career. "Captain Lee" said one of his friends yesterday, lis a native of Alabama. He was born GA years ago at Cherokee. When young man at school, he opposed se- cession. but enlisted in the confederate army in Texas. rose to the rank of cap tain and served throughout the war Two brothers of his were buried in confederate uniforms. At the close of the war he settled in Aberdeen, Miss. His first vote was cast for General Grant for President. He has ever since voted the republican ticket in national elections. He has never been an office-seeker, though he was for eleven years postmaster at Aberdeen; Mayor of the town and sheriff of the county
 while in Mississippi Captain Lee built up a reputation for integrity and exec utive ability. He has sustained 1t in the ten years he has lived in Birmingham. Since coming here he has contributed a great deal to the industrial development of the community has been successful and popular, and withal he has supported Loyalty his party In all proper ways.
 Not a Political Agitator.
 "He has not been political agitator; he has not made political speeches in campaigns. but his influence as a citizen, merchant and a nelghbor has been felt. That he has not made campaign speeches is due to the fact that he has been engaged in more important matters and has not had the time to do SO"
 J. T. Blakemore, the assistant postmas- ter, who had been mentioned as can didate for the postmastership, withdrew from the race yesterday when he heard that MT. Thompson would recommend MT. Carter. Professor Blakemore will be candidate for the assistant postmas- tership.