The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-08

Major Jolsn c. Harris. associate mem Der of Alabama Railroad Commission, former State Superintendent of Eduea- tion and for forty years prominent in public life in Alabama is dead at the home of his daughter. Mrs. L. c. DaW- son on South McDonougn, street. The end came yesterday morning at ' o'clock, after a protracted Illness, which, however. did not become dan- gerous until two days ago.
 Major Harris lacked a few days of being "A. years of age, At the age. of 72 he made one of the longest and most protracted canvasses ever made In Alabama for a place on the Railroad Commission. By his own efforts. and on his own merits and reputation he run the race in a most unusual political year and although allowed but a small chance when the canvass began. ho was an easy winner. The energy and purpose that characterized his whole life was illustrated in that remarkable race. an energy which had been nota- blc for 40 years past.
 Entry Into Public Life.
 Major Harris went into public life when ne WMU QH hlSGA fto tA Ahff ASA OSAA- wress in the West Alabama District of the Black Belt in reconstruction times. He was Confederate soldier. and after the war engaged in practice of the law at Livingston. Tho blacks outnumbered the whites. in the district and 1t was known that no Democrat had chance to win. Major Harris was called to lead a forlorn hope. So brave and so energetic fight did he make that his Republican competitor won bv a much. smaller majority than was expected.
 From that day until his death yes- terday at ripe and full old age, Maj or Harris was prominent before the psJI In 1874 it was practically certain that the State convention of Democrats would nominate him for Lteutenant- Governor, but he firmly refused to al- low his name to be presented.
 For many years after, fin every cam paign he was Democratic nominee for elector or delegate.
 When President Cleveland began his administration at Washington. he named Major Harris as Register of thS Land once in Montgomery and hs served out the term with faithful ness. Shortly after its conclusion ht was nominated and elected State Su perintendent of Education. His admin istration of the duties of this office ii one of which his frien sdhave alwayi been proud. The duties were most ac ceptably discharged. He took an act i've interest in the welfare of thu schools and ha travelled from one ent of the State to the other to give then his personal supervision. He gave ( new dignity to the office of State Su perintendent of Education which in thu old days. unlike 1t is now. was no considered one of the important Stat, offices.
 On The Railroad Communication.
 In 1906 Major Harris announced fol membership of the Railroad commia' sion. He stated at the time thai he never asked anybody's permission to, and that he was not, running in thu interest of any faction. He went ahout the canvass in his own way. He trav. eiled hundreds of miles and although his personal acquaintance was one oi the largest in the State. he widened fl in the trips he made to every section of Alabama.
 The result was his triumphant cleo. tion He prepared for the discharge Oi his duties with the saIGe purpose anc energy that had always characterized him. He believed that a great many of the difficulties which had originated between the railroads and the people were due to misunderstandings ane that they could be removed by havina the people to know the railroads bet. ter and having the railroads under. stand and know the people better. Hs settled personally a great many of ths difficulties which arose before thes