The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-21
A Prominent Jefferson County Lawyer is Chief Justice.
 -----e----- AT HEAD OF STATES
 SUPREME COURT
 -e- Friends of Justice Tyson Disap- pointed at Result of
 Contest. flew Chief Justice is 45 Year. old and native of LauderdaIe County.-- VIII Serve U-.n successor as Elected.

Samuel D.. weakley, a prominent lawyer of Birmingham, was yesterday afternoon appointed by Governor Jeiks. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama to succeed the late Chief Justice Thomas N. Mcclellan.
 The appointment came after the Governor. had been closeted with a large delegation of influential lawyers almost the entire afternoon.
 Yesterday was Mir. weakley's day at the Capitol. Throughout the day some of the ablest politicians and lawyers of Birmingham and, Jefferson county crowded the Governors office and urg- ed his appointment. There was also a strong delegation from Covington county, which appeared and presented resolutions adopted by the bar of that county favoring the appointment of Mr. Assdciate Justice John R. Tyson.
 AppoAntment q Surprise.
 The appointment of MT. wealkiey came as a surprise to many of the States wisest politicians. It was ar. gued that the endorsement of fifty -four counties and nearly all of the Judges of the State received by Justice Tyson, would admit of no appointment save his. Up to yesterday afternoon Justice Tyson seemed the prime favorite.
 The Birmingham delegation came to Montgomery strongly fortified It was composed of N. L. Miller, F. t. Black burn, E. K. Campbell. John London. J. c CargtchaeI. F. s. White Jr.. An- gustus Bonners. C. c. Nesmith, Frank Deedmeyer. George Huddlestoh. Henry Howze, John c. Forney. John w Tom linson, John c. Pugh, H. P. Heflin. James A. Mitchell, Morris Loveman. C. w. Hickman. J. T. Glover. ". C. Gar rett, and Charles G. Brown.
 The delegation waited on Governor Jelks in his private office and short talks were made in favor of MT. Weak ley's candidacy by Augustus Bonners, E K. Campbell. F. E. Blackburn, J. C. Carmichael, W. c. Garrett, Frank S. White Jr.. H. P. Heflin and Henry Howze.
 After the conference with the Gov ernor, the delegation seemed primed with confidence. Morris Loveman. a member of the delegation wired MT. wsakley in Birmingl1am: 'sEverything looks good" but the delegation did not expect the appointment to. be announ- ced before this morning. At the same time. Justice Tyson's friends were equally confident Many of his friends were seen busily conferring in the lobby.
 few minutes before 6 o'clock the, Governor stepped from his private of- fee and announced the apointment MT. Weakley. He made no further statement.
 Sketch of New Chief.
 The new Chief Justice was born in Lauderdale County on July Is, 1860. He is a son of John B. Weakley and his wife, Mary Rice, and a grandson of General s. D. Weakley, pioneer of North Alabama and grandson of Green P. Rice, an eminent citizen of Morgan County He was graduated from the State Normal School at Flor higher education that he attended. He read law under AssosIate Justice R. T. Simpson and was admitted to the prac- tice in his goth year He afterwards moved to Memphis, Tenn, where he practiced successfully and was elected assistant attorney general of Shelby County.
  in Birmingham and prscticed law. Att one time he was law partner of E. F. Cabaniss, brother-in law of the Governor.
 Judge Weakley married Miss Ellen Anglin of Birmingham, a daughter of one of the Magic City's pioneer citi- sens, He was at one time City Attor- ney of Birmingham ana compiled the City Code of that municipality.
 Judge Weakley was the campaign manager of Governor Jelks in his race for the Democratic nomination for Governor against former Governor Joseph F. Johnston. He has enjoyed a large and lucrative law practice in Birmingham and Is a man of indepen- dent means.
 The Birmingham delegation return cd home on an evening train.
 Judge Weakley is appointed to serve until a Chief Justice is elected by the 1 people in November, and qualities. It can be said that Justlce Tyson will be a candidate before the people for the high office.