The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-18
SENATOR MORGAN HANDS
 LEMON TO EDITOR JONES
Replies Accusation of Jones Valley Times That Alabama Representatives in the Senate Are Too Old to Be of Service
 Calls on Birmingham Editor for Names of Informants.

which the people of Alabama nave hon. ored me, l have never, directly or indi- recty, asked any person for his sup port. l have not been an office-seeker in the common meaning of that phrase; yet l have been in office during nearly the whole period of my mature manhood, through the trust and confidence the people have accorded me I do not think lightly or selfishly of the honors thus bestowed. If so much can be truthfully said of other aspirants, I would be glad for them to say so the people have all these years been my willing supporters and cannot believe that they are just ly accused of having committed a piece of sentimental folly continuing me or my colleague in office. You, suppose, along with more than 5000 democrats, the largest vote boiled for anyone-have named me for sixth term in the Sen ate by votes in a primary election.
 Having only consented to be a candi- date for this supreme honor of my pub- lie life, | could not conscientiously bear it for day longer than the period of it's usefulness to the state. and will not do so ungrateful an act. Yet, you know that a pulpit leader in the church. like yourself, is not less useful as a guide to the flock after he has passed the age of an exhorter or evangelist, when his physical strength was his highest pOWeT lOI SucceSS. All Olu servant who is still true to the faith may be a very serious part of this divine work I believe it is not true. as you state, that my great colleague and l are absolutely in- competent because of old age, or that
 the state of Alabama is absolutely with out representation in the upper branch of Congress- To prove this you say, we have been told so by some men who have lately been in Washington without n a mil n I cIy to name them, emitting none. It is not fair to make such accusations, on hearsay against any public servants, either to alarm the public or create a popular de- mand for our retirement from the seats we hold, whatever may be the motive.
 l do not ask you to correct this misinforma ton, or to withdraw it. or to change your opinion, but l enclose several speeches and documents that are in print to show you in part how seriously you are mistaken. You have not read these papers and l scarcely expect that you will find leisure from your several em- ployments to do so; but your patrons and the people of Alabama will examine them some day. They will fudge the workman by his chips and will regret that the newspapers have not warned them of the perils pointed out in my speeches and reports that may be already beyond the reach of any remedy
 'I will ask you just to glance through these papers, that you may see the se- rious injustice and cruel pain you have inflicted upon me. These papers do not represent the tenth part of the labors I have performed in the Senate through the period when you assert that your senators are absolutely incompetent be- cause of old age.
 Some part of my labors and respon- abilities have caused me a severe sick ness. In this I only share in the fate of other senators. many of whom are i'll from excessive labor and many have re- gently passed away.
 q claim neither charity, forbearance nor indulgence. I do not need them but claim that a gross public wrong shall not be done to a faithful public ser want, even by a newspaper editor who condemns him without a hearing and as- sumes the right to utter such a decree as the mentor of the public conscience. and the final arbter of the fate of two senators from Alabama. Respectfully,
 JOHN T. MORGAN"