The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-29
JOHNSTON IS SILENT
WOULD NOT DISCUSS HIS POLITICAL
 FUTURE.
At office of Son Tn Birmingham De- eiues to Talk on Grounds Of
 ImprOpriety of the Time.

Birmingham, July 2S.-(SpeciaL)-i am indeed sorry to learn of the death of senator Pet.nss Nor prefer not to make any statement at this time con cerninx the late senator's successor. It is not becoming. It is my intention to attend the funeral of the late senator this week. Please excuse me from mak- ing any statement at this time"
 Such were the words of Capt. Joseph F. Johnston. former governor of Ala bama, who Is slated to succeed United States Senator Pettus, who died Sat urday night at Hot Springs. N. C. The Captain was seen at the office of his son. He expressed great sorrow at the death of Gen. Pettus. We were great friends" he said. personally. political ly, and otherwise, He was a great man and the State has lost a great repre- sentative"
 Without any desires to be quoted Capt Johnson related several instances in which Gen. Pettus participated, po- litical affairs of old Dallas county.
 No, it Is not becoming to make any statement at this time," continued Capt. Johnston, and I shall prefer that I not be quoted at all beyond my ex- pression of sorrow"
 CaDt. JOnnSton 5oii, EIuW WoAo ~"AA'A ston is in the city. He was with his father this morning and when the newspaper correspondent called both were friendly
 Much Gossip Heard.
 Notwithstanding the remains of the late Senator Pettus are still unburied there is much talk heard in Birming- ham as to the successor. No doubt IS expressed in this section. as far as can he heard, but that former Governor Johnston will be elected and by the present Legislature. In fact, all the talk being indulged in here would ln- dicate that Captain Johnston VII! De elected without opposition. In addition to heinz the choice of the primary held last wear. a precedence in the election of Senator Bankhead and the pledge of the governor in case an appointment would have been necessary, 1t Is point sd ont bv friends of Capt. Johnston That he has many strong friends In the present Legislature, strong friehds among the leaders in the LegisIature at that. It is believed that the Lesis- Iaure will adjourn Monday, immediate 1, after receiving official notice of the daath of Senator Pettus. This will be out of respect to the dead representa- :. five Then on the day of the intermeht tho Jegislature Is expected 10 auJourn ag.in This will mean, it is figured out hera that two of the five days remain- inc of the Legislature will have to he held in next week. That will give the body just the time to elect United states senator 10 succeed "e"- aor Pettus. ,, o. l., ,are .ba 1,apislature to fail to elect sem ator to succeed the late senator Peltus. a,' a,oi rorernor would not have the ap- ,ointine nower it is asserted ana r hare would be no representative in the I1nited states senate save senator Bankhead, until the Legislature rencom, 1eraa again, either in extraorulhary easior venJo or in regular session.
 pnsitively no name is mentioned here
 rrohable candidate against Capt as p and the latters name is likely ; 'o oi' no before the Legislature for the .o sition without the least opposition