The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-05
Many Pay Tribute to Dead Speaker.

The sense of loss in the death of Speaker William Logan Martin was heavy yesterday upon the members or the House and Senate of the Alabama Legislature. fhe sorrow they felt that he had laid down the burden of life while the sun was yet in the meridian, Hound free expression from the laws makers of Alabama.
 k They felt that his call from his la bor when he was in a position to ac- < complish so much for the State was a misfortune to Alabama From the Gov ernor of Alabama. as well as members of the Legislature there were express sions of sorrow that death had ended the Iabors of one who had labored so well and who was so we'll prepared to render distinguished services to the State.
 LIFE FULL OF SERVICE.
 In the death of Hon. William L. Mar : tin, the State of Alabama has lost one of it's most distinguished and useful citizens. His life was full of impor- tant anu worthy service to the people 2 of the State. If every work of his life were eliminated, save that which he accomplished as Speaker of the House of Representative now in session, he would have a monument which would last forever.
 The legislation just accomplished is more important to the people than any ever enacted at single session by the Legislature of this, or any other State; and that legislation is due in large measure to his skill, his hones- ty, his ability. and his steadiness of purpose. In enforcing these laws, all , of which bear Mir. Martins name as Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, Alabama will secure for the fu- ture condition most beneficial to ev- cry citizen. He was one of the direc- tors and executors of the passage oi these laws in the House, and all ouI people will revere and honor his name
 Truly, MT. Martin exemplified the saphorism: hide not your light unde, a bushel." Every act of his life wa: Gmanly, open and true. The light oi ohis life has been in the past and will sin the future ever be the great nortf sstar by which navigators of the pres. ent and the future may steer with per. feet confidence, feeling sure that fl swill guide them toward purity, homes ty and nobility.
 { I commend the youth of Alabama athat they follow his example, stud, this life. and direct the trend of theil own lives along the same strong ant safe lines.
 The Iamlty, the OGTedNGQ WlQON and children, and the surviving reia lives have my heartfelt sympathy. NJ one can supply his place in thei hearts It is the duty of every mal to observe his example and to emulat his successful labor for his countr. and his name.
 B. B. Conner, Governor E E ss
 A MAN AMONG MEN. f~N.m Int hoe e1a,f ( great loss in the death of Speaker Mar tin. He was a man among men, ant In many respects was the most manl! man I have ever known.
 y gTemperamentally he was fair, jus and honest. with judicial mind, whici snade his decisions on all subjects wei nigh perfect,
 He was Christian in the broades sense of the word, as pure in mind anC as chaste in thought as was possible and one to whom every Alabamian car point with pride
 The good men. do live after, them, ana while Colonel Martin has been greatly appreciated and highly esteemed, be- Iieve that his imprint upon the char. acter and the lives of many of us Will be even greater in years to come thar 1t has been in the past.
 I regret sincerely that so good mar has been taken away. but as an Ala bamian I am proud of the heritage h'
 Henry B. Gray,
 Lieutenant-Governor
 E 9s SS
 AN INCORRUPTIBLE PATRIOT.
 The people of Alabama appreciated Colonel Martin, and had he lived the! would have heaped honors upon him His political aspirations were simple hs they were pure; but his man! friends in every county of the stat were willing and anxious to give nm more than he asked.
 By skill in the practice and a pro found knowledge of the law. he ex Rlted a profession which by way O compensation honored him.
 The State has lost an incorruptibl patriot. every worthy cause a cham pion, and we are all poorer for his un timely going.
 Speaker of House of Representatives
 E Se $
 NEVER UTTERED UNKIND WORD.
 Thomas Ava Edison was once aske the question, What is genius? HI reply was Genius is work In hi unremitting energy. in his fruitful ef fort. MT. Martin attained this. tn highest type of genius. Duty to hir was labor, and his accomplishments at tained genius.
 My associations with him in the leg islative halls of Alabama impressed m with another great attribute of hi character-his great kindness. Ther have been contests. there have bee controversies. there have been division of political opinion, but I never hear MT. Martin utter an unkind word abou any man, either in public or in privat life. Out of his uniform kindness fo political friend and political foe, nev er heard uttered a criticism of any oth CT man. k. F. Ihomas'
 President pro tenn of the Senate.
 4 Se $
 HIGH SENSE OF DUTY.
 feel a sense of personal loss. a per sonal sorrow, in MT. Martins death was my great privilege to possess hi confidence I had known him for man years. I had occupied the closest per