The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
 HUNDLEY'S FRIENDS
 RESENT CHARGES Wood, Chandler, Merritt and 0'Brien Submit Cards CLAIM ENEMIES ARE BUSY Wood Says He Did Not Circulate Pc.
 
Wood Says He Did Not Circulate Pc. tition, But Thinks Bench and Bar Desire Confirmation of the
 HundIey Appointment.

The friends of Judge Oscar R. Hund- ley keenly resent the charges and insin- nations made against that gentleman by his political enemies.
 As was published in The Age-Herald yesterday morning, the political opponents of Judge Hundley have made themselves active to the end that the confirmation of Judge Hundley's appointment to the judgeship that he holds might be held up in the Senate of the United States.
 These political enemies of Judge Hund- ley have made charges that Judge Hund- ley, by appointments and otherwise, Is paying his political debts. and the Bir- mingham Times publishes a copy of a mortgage made by j. O. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson to Judge Hundey on ready encumbered. These political ene- mics, too. are making reference to the ap- pointment of the receivers of the Southern Steel corporation, claiming that in mak- ing these appointments, or some of them at least Judge Hundley was again dis charging political obligations. Refer ence in this respect is made to Sterling A. Wood, E. G. Chandler and J. O. Thompson the first named of whom is master of the Southern Steel case, and the others receivers.
 Chandler Makes Statement.
 Concerning this matter, E. G. Chandler one of the receivers of the Southern Steel said: "The statement made of ghat is termed 'glaring instances of the Yuse by Judge Hundley of his-office to pay politi- , cal debts,' making reference therein to his Appointment of me as one of the receiv- CTS of the Southern Steel company, here by declare is unwarranted and untrue. have never attended a political convention in my life, either republican or democrat ic, nor did have any connection what ever with Judge, Hundley's candidacy for the judgeshlp or any other position. am now ~and have always been a business man, simply
 Sterling A. Wood, master in bankruptcy of the Southern Steel company, appointed by Judge Hundley, denied yesterday the charge made by the enemies of Judge
  lated Judge Hundley's petition for in- dorsementsMoy the Judgeship. Mr. Wood supported democrat until it was evident that democrat had little chance, and then supported Judge Hundley. MT Wood signed Judge Hundleys petitior and wired the President seeking the sap pointment of Judge Hundley. MT. Woot states that in his opinion the ltigants bench and bar, are satisfied with Judge Hundley in all respects and desire tho confirmation of his appointment. MT Wood stated positively that his appoint ment to the mastersi1ip of the Southern Steel company was an unsolicited ap pointment
 OBrien Circulated Petition.
 Capt. Frank P. O'Brien, the well knowr citizen of Birmingham, in connession witf Judge Hundleys petition, explained tha he alone circulated that document, se curing the indorsements of the bench ant bar of Jefferson county. Said Captain O'Brien: 'The petition was not even pre- sented to MT. Wood for his signature unti it had been signed by nearly all the law
 
 unteered to present the petition to mem bers of the bench and bar, all of whicf offers were thankfully declined, and il any offense has been committed I an solely responsible"
 Concerning the land mortgaged by MT and Mrs. J. o. Thompson, which the DO litical enemies of Judge TIundley state was also encountered when it was mort gagged to Judge Hundley, w. H. Merritt made the following statement:
 W.qH Merritt's Statement.
 My attention has been called to tht statement in The Age Herald of Sunda, in reference to the value of the Lowndei county property upon which Judge Hund ley loaned Mrs. Annie Thompson s450O 'or property which was already encountered and practically without security as th' paper states that Judge Hundley's enc mics contend.
 "I know nothing of the facts concern ing Judge Hundley's mortgage, excep what the records of Lowndes county shor q which is that it was made May ', 1908 and duly recorded, and recited that my mortgage for part of the purchase money has not yet been paid.
 But do know this property as owned, farmed and ybrked on it for | years. It is now well worth on the mar ket sl50o0; and probably more. At tho time it was bought. Mrs. Thompson palt me about $700O cash, and since that tim' two other notes have been paid. There l. now due on my mortgage about sS6Oo and the second mortgage is amply SC cured by the property. The statement that this s4500 mortgage is not we'll se cured is ridiculous. And I will at any time be glad to pay more than s5OOo casl in excess of all the mortgage encum