The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-18
FROM the Montgomery journal.

| From the Montgomery Journal.
| c TX years ago Gov Joseph F.
| ~ Johnston stepped down and out
! ~ of the governors office. His adj
ministration had been particularly
stormy one, and at the end he was not
so popular with the politicians though
he still maintained a strong hold upon
the confidence and affections of the
masses of the common people. When he
entered the governors office in 1896, he
| found an empty treasury and the state
borrowing money to pay the current eX-
| penses of the governor He did not CEN
sure anybody for this, nor does the Jour-
nal, this unhappy condition having been
brought about by strngency in the money
market, by lax assessment methods, de-
pressed value and generally depressed
| conditions
! But the distressing conditions required
a quick, active mind and brain and bus
mess tact and good sense to bring order
out of chaos and threatened financial
disaster,
The governor proved the man for the
! hour and the occasion, and when he left
rofflce he had placed upon the statute
books many important laws, looking to
better and increased assessments of prop
erty, a more just and equitable distribu-
| ton of the burdens of government among
the people and the corporations, and the
result was most happy so far as the state
treasury was concerned, but his legisla-
! ton at that time was considered radical
and "inouisitorlal" and while the state
/ .s,,t, h
reaped a harvest of enemies, who had
Got 1t in for him." and when he left the
executive office he left legislature be-
hind that had shown him scant courtesy.
In fact, the very day he left the eX-
ecutive mansion, a bill was introduced in
the house by his political enemies, to re-
peal some of his most important legisa-
ton, but it should be mentioned here, the
bill never passed.
The Legislature of 1900 was glad to speed
the outgoing and welcome the incoming
with great eclat 1t wanted the one 10
| go out and it wanted the other to come
in. Neither house would have given MN
| an opportunity to address 1t. ana MS
presence in either house would not only
| have been not welcome but resented. IT,
lions of censure rather than respect from
them But he bided his time and patience
He and his friends knew Vinolcaeioh
would come. Times change ana men
change with them.
| Yesterday former Governor johnston
came to Montgomery. He went immedi-
.ately to the state capitol. 1t was per-
| hans. his first visit to the old historic
| building since he left 1t as governor six
wears ago. When his presence was made
! known to the senate. motion was Of
fered and carried, giving him the priv
ileges of the senate, not for the day, but
for the entire session, and he spent the
morning hour in the senate chamber, mix
ing and mingling with the senators. hail,
| fellow, well met
He was greeted most cordially by all.
many who never voted for him came
up to him, extending their hands and as
surfing him of their friendship. 1t was
a splendid tribute to Johnston. thus
shown by the dignified senator's, tribute
to him as governor and as man, and
his wearing qualities; showing that the
| further one gets from his administra-
ton the brighter does it shine, and that
/ thoughtful men, after the battle, after
the smoke has cleared away. and partisan
hatred has passed, yield to him the trib-
ute: "Wel done, thou good and faithful
| servant"
But, after the adjournment of the state
senate, the former governor walked over
TO the other end of the capitol. and a
similar resolution. extending him the
| courtesies of the house, was immediately
passed, and there the members. even be-
fore adjournment, gathered around him.
extending him a cordial greeting and