The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-15
FOURTH DISTRICT
HISTORICAL DATA
General Charles M, Shelly Dis
cusseS the Situation
BOYD FOR THE LEGISLATURE
VIII Advocate Passage of General
Municipal Code for the State In
Accordance With constitu-
tiona Provision.

tional Provision.
Gen Charles NJ Shelley has just re-
turned from a business trip to Washing
ten. His general health is very much i'm
proved.
Speaking of Fourth district politics, Cen
eral Shelley said: although years have
passed. ] have very clear recollection
of the troubled days in Dallas county,
from 1865 to 1885, During those days no
member OF the Craig family lent aid by
voice or purse or individual effort to
overcome the then prevailing negro; rule;
on the other hand, George H. Craig, the
father of the now candidate for Congress
In the Fourth district, w. II. Craig, used
all of the energies and intellect not only
to acquire office for himself, but to
thwart the efforts of the democrats to
gain control of political affairs in city,
county. state and in federal halls.
There was a discrepancy in the article
which appeared in The Herald quot
ing former member of the Dallas bar
I was member of Congress for four
terms George II. Craig contested my
seat during my last term. Alexander c.
Davidson of Perry had been nominated
and elected by the democrats to Con-
gress In 1884. He qualified In March of
1885. Craig. who was contesting my seat,
also served notice of contest against
Colonel Davidson, as he, Craig, had run
against Davidson. As knew that l would
have to give up my seat in the House,
and for the good of the democratic party,
after conference with Davidson, l made
overtures to Judge Craig that If he would
withdraw. his contest of Davidson's seat
that I would not further resist his right
to the seat which l then held. This was
agreed to, and Craig was seated in jan
uary, 1885, and served until March 4,
drawing the salary for the whole term,
and considerable allowance for contest
fee and expenses.
Carpetbagger Elected.
YES I was sheriff of Dallas county for
one term. A carpet bagger had been
elected to the office and failing to qualify
by reason of not making the required
bond. | was appointed by Governor Lewis
to the position, wholly unsolicited. 1
was greatly surprised to receive notice of
my appointment, which l learned came
through a republican friend At that time
mixed jures of negroes and white men
were sitting in the boxes of Dallas coun-
ty After | became sheriff the order was
changed and only white jurlsts served
thereafter.
I'm those troubled days many things
happened, which now seem like a bad
dream George Craig was elected judge Of
the criminal court of Dallas county and
Rhoddy Thomas, the only negro judge
who ever sat in Alabama, was clerk OF
this court; after Craig was elected to
the circuit court Rhoddy Thomas was
elected Judge of the criminal court to sue
coed him. Another notorious negro politl-
clan, Thomas Walker, was clerk of the
circuit court during Craig's term. The
first democratic legislature of Alabama
after the war abolished the criminal court
to get rid of the negro judge
Work for Weakley.
A large number of the friends and sup
porters Of Judge S. D. Weakley met in
the library of the First National Bank
building yesterday morning and discussed
the progress of his candidacy for chief
justiceship of the supreme court.
H. e. Howe presided over the meeting.
Many encouraging reports were made,
and all were enthusiastic over the pro-
gress that is being made in the cam
paign.
Another meeting will be held next Sat-
urday morning, when it is hoped that the
support of practically ever member of
the legal profession of the county,
amounting to about $50 will have been
pledged to Judge Weakley.
Boyd Announces.
At the instance Of the City Council
of Ensley and others, Romaine Boyd
announces his candidacy for the Legis-
lature in this issue Of the Age-Herald.
Captain Boyd is native OF this state,
where he has a large acquaintance, hav-
ing lived at different ,'ulss IL; Dallas
Talladega. Mobile and Jefferson coun-
ties. He Is a son of the late William
G. Boyd of Selma, who served as MEM
Der of the Fourth Alabama Infantry
from the first battle of Manassas until
about the close of the civil war. when
he transferred to Forests cavalry. At
the outbreak of the Spanish war, Captain
Boyd raised and commanded company
of Alabama volunteers until the muster
out of his regiment when he became as
ISOLATED In the practice of law In this
county with the late Judge James B.
Head He has been five times elected
city attornew OF Enslcy, in which ca
pacity he has rendered valuable services
In the municipal affairs of Ensley If
elected to the Legislature he will devote
his efforts largely along municipal lines
toward securing a general municipal law
or charter suited to the needs OF the
cites, towns and villages % Jefferson
county Captain Boyd fayors the regu-
lation of railroad rates and car service
by law; and also increased assistance
for disabled veterans. At the meeting
the the city Council OF Ensley, June IA.
1905, the following resolution was unani-
mously adopted VIZ:
Whereas. the new constitution of Ala
bama prohibits the amendment Of munc-
ipal charters by local laws, except as to
the extension OF the city limits; and.
whereas. the next Legislature will enact
a general municipal charter or code for
the government OF the Incorporated cities
and towns in Alabama, which municipal
legislation will be OF the highest impor
lance to Ensley and the citizens of tn +,