The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-15
ACCESSION OF COMER LEAVES
 FIVE LIVING EX-G0VERN0RS

who ran as a Jenersonian Democrat The two campaigns were, perhaps, the most exciting the State has had since the days of reconstruction.
 Completing his term of emce, Gover- nor Jones re-entered the practice or law, and left it only when he was ap- pointed Federal Judge by President Theodore Roosevelt
 No Governor that Alabama has ever had, had harder childhood or more liimted educationalx advantages than Gen William C. oates, who for nearly forty years has been conspicuous hs ure in the public life of Alabama. He was born in Pike County in 1883, and had some little opportunities of at tending for a short time ''an old neld school.r When a boy of IS, he took a rowing trip through the Southwest. but returned, to Alabama where he taught for awhile a country school.
 lawyer and Editor.
 He then went to Iss~renceville, where he increased his store pf school learn ing at high school at that place. He read law in Eufaula, in the efficeI or Pugh, Bullock and Buford. As soon as he was admitted to the bar he be- gan the practice of law at Abbeville, where he resided until he had completed his term as Governor. In 1858 the fu- ture Governor edited a paper in Ab-  of the law.
 At the breaking out of the war he entered the Confederate Army as cap tain of a company of the 18th Alabama Infantry, and served throughout the contest with distinction. In the forty engagements in which the command participated. Governor Oates took part in twenty-seven. From the battle of Antietam to July l, 1884, Governor oates led the regiment. His command went further north at the battle of Gettysburg than any other Confederate command. General oates lost an arm from severe wound received at Fus- tseil's Mill near Petersburg.
 After the surrender he resumed the practice of law at Abbeville. In 1870. and again in 1872 Governor Oates re- ceived decidedly complimentary vote in the Democratic conventions for Gov ernor. In 1870 he was elected a mem Der of the Legislature from Henry County. and in 1878 he represented the vention. He was also a member of the Constitutionai Convention of 1901. bc- ing elected from the State at large.
 Colonel Oates served for fourteen years as a member of Congress from the Third Alabama District, and only retired to be elected Governor in 1894 He was not candidate for re- ciCcktQn dG A0kGftOt HI loSu. I1G was appointed Brigadier General of yoi- unteers by President Mckinley during the Spanish-American War.
 The Governorshfp of Alabama has as general thing been like the Presi- dency of the United States. Those who have sought 1t most persfstently have been most disappointed, while the honor has sometimes been thrown at the feet of men who were not seeking for it. An exception to this general rule, however, is the case of ex-Gover- nor Johnston, who has run for Cover nor more than any other man in the history of the State. and who has twice been elected to that honor.
 Johnston's Persisteney Wins.
 He set out to win the honor, and af ter repeated disappointments succeed ed In his ambition. Governor Johnston was born in Lincoln County. North Car olina, in 1S43, of a prominent family. He served with distinction as a cap- tain in the Confederate Army, and was wounded several times. He was cap tain In the Confederate Army before he had reached his majority.
 At the close of the war Captain John. ston came to Alabama and took the bar examinationS He began the prac- tice of law at Selma with Judge R. M Nelson. He early took an active part in political affairs of the State. and was several times chairman of the State Committee. After paving several times been an unsuccessful candidate for Governor. Captain Johnston was elect ed to that honor in 1896. He was again elected in 1900.
 In 1902 he was an unsuccessful can didate against Governor William D. Jelks. He was selected by the Demo- crats in 1906 as one of the alternate Senators; that Is, as one of the men who will receive an appointment to the Senate in case of vacancies. @
 Governor Johnston has large busi- ness interests in Birmingham and oc. cupies q handsome Nresidence in that city.
 Governor Jelks, who yesterday join ed the ranks of ex-Governors, has an- nounced no definite plans for the fu- ture. beyond his purpose to retireseto his beautiful home in Eufaula for sey- eral months rest. It is generally be- lieved that within a year the ex-Goy- ernor will be actively engaged in news paper work.