The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-12

completion. expect to be able to de- liver the manuscript to the publishers within . few weeks.
 Ressons for the Work.
 There are many reasons why the Life of General Walker should be writ ten. The lives of nearly all the other members of the Cabinets of President Dav.s have already been published. At the present time, Colonel John Calvin Reed, an author of well-establishe ed reputation. now of Montgomery. Is pre- pairing the Life of Gen. Robert Toombs. the brilliant and able Georgian. who was appointed Secretary of State of the Confederate States the same day Gen eral Walker was appointed Secretary of. War. 4a, s8 Value of waIker's Services to the Con-
 federacy.
 ; The early beginning of hostil.ties between the remnant of the old Gov ernrnent. and the new Government. which sprang into existence almost like the twinkling of the eye. and the proportions the armies of the contend ing Governments suddenly reached. brought the conduct of the affairs of the War Department into constant dis- cussion and gave that department a prominence Beyond any of the others. The burden of the gigantic struggle was upon the War Department in Tar
  The reputation which General Walk CT deserves for his conduct of the af- fairs of this department during the most critical and important period of the existence of the Government or the Confederate States hasE never been ac- corded him by the public. M.srepre- sentatfon, largely due to mfsunder- standing of the facts. has been the cause of the withholding from him the place in history which he fairly won by his watchful. faithful. laborious, and most capable discnarge or the duties of that responsible office. For tunately. the official records have been preserved in a very large degree and are accessible and are being amply used in my work.
 Early Public Career.
 General Walker early entered the public service of Alabama. His first ofice was brigadier- general of militia. which he held just after. his maturity. Tn 1847 he represented Lauderdale County, having removed to that coun- ty in the meantime. and was chosen Speaker of the House. He was re-elect- ed. both as Representative and Speaker In 1849.
 He was elected Circuit Judge in 1850. the first election of judges by the people. He resigned the judgeship in 1853 and was elected Representative in
  the movement in favor of State aid to a railroad company, connecting the navigable waters of Mobile Bay and the Tennessee River by the introduct- ion of . resolution instructing the Committee on Internal Improvements. to enquire into its expediency. and should it be deemed expedient. to re- port some plan having this object in view,
 General walker opened the discus sion to a crowded lobby and gallery nd full house of attentive members in their places. in a speech of very great ability The discussion was continued by Messrs J. E. Belson, D. c. Humph- ries. Percy Walker, Thomas J. Judge, John Cochran. J. L. M. Curry. Joshua L. Martin. A. B. Meek and others. con- stitutiug an array of talent seldom ex- hibited upon any one question, at any session of the Legislature.
 Comprehensiveness of Walker's Plans.
 MT. Buffers appreciation of Score tary Benjamin's care and industry In attending to mere details of the depart. ment work will he contrasted with the comprehensive policy of General Walk