The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
HOBSON IS NOW IN
FAVOR OF HUNDLEY
Writes Letter Expressing Regret
for Signing Petition
CAPT. O'6RIEN DISCUSSES IT
Letter From Senator Morgan To Pres
ident Roosevelt Discussing Sub
ject Is Also Published
For First Time.
CAPT. O'3RlEN DISCUSSES IT

The United States Senate convenes to-
morrow and it is understood that the
subject of the confirmation of Judge
Oscar r. Hundley will be among the mat
up. There have been many and various
publications in the public press relating
to this subject, but so far Judge Hundley
has remained silent. Yesterday when
asked If he had anything to give out in
relation to the subject of his confirma-
ton he declined to discuss it, simply
saying that the whole matter was In
the hands of the judiciary committee and
he had no doubt of the final favorable
result.
1t was learned yesterday that a letter
had been received by Judge Hundley from
Congressman Richmond Pearson Hobson
relating to this subject, and Capt.
Frank P. O'Brien discussing the letter
said; Yes, 1t is true that Judge Humid
ley today received from Captain Hobson
an unsolicited letter, and as the letter was
not marked confidentlal L do not think
that | would be betraying confidence to
give the press a copy of it, The letter
is as follows:
House of Representatives, U. S.
Washington, d. c., December 81, 1907.
Judge Oscar r. Hundley United States
Judge, Huntsville, Ala:
My Dear Judge-It has been a mat
ter of regret to me that l signed the
petition presented by Judge Richardson
on what might be called an ex-parte
hearing. Since the signing of that petit
ton against your confirmation. L have
learned from various sources of your
ability and success as a presiding judge
ana the more | investigated this the more
l have come to understand that | have
unintentionally done you an injustice
with the light of all the evidence that l
have received | have decided that 1t was
due you that | should write to the chair
man Of the judiciary committee of the
Senate Withdrawing my protest and ask
ing that you be confirmed 1t has given
me pleasure to do this, thus correcting
my mistake in the matter.
Il trust that YOU will be confirmed at
an early date and that you will have a
long and prosperous career in judicial and
public life.
With best wishes, l am sincerely yours,
'R. p. HOBSON."
Captain OBren further said: Il want
to say to you further that it has been
published broadcast throughout the coun-
try that Senator Morgan had taken ac-
tive part against Judge hundleys con-
firmaton as district attorney. Judge
Hundley has remained silence and will
continue to remain silent, even in the
face of all these publications, preferring
TO leave the matter with the United
States Senate, which alone has jurisdic-
ton. | take the responsibility, however,
to give to the public the following let
ter with references to other persons
therein left ouD which Senator Morgan
wrote President Roosevelt recommending
the appointment of Judge Hundley as
district attorney when he first became
a candidate for that office. | will now
show you the original letter from Sem
ator Morgan, with Endorsement thereon
showing its filing with the department
of justice with Judge Hundleys appli-
cation for appointment as district at
torney."
The letter is as follows
Mr.. President:-The name of Hon. Os-
car r. Hundley of Huntsville Ala, is
presented for appointment as district at
torney for the Northern District of Ala
bama.
Mr.. Hundley Is a man of ample means
and lucrative practice and has no bus
mess reason or necessity for seeking this
office. When Mr.. Mckinley was first n
candidate for the presit ncy, Mr.. Humid
ley supported him. He has been a demo-
crat during his manhood and las hon
ored by that party with a seat in the
house of representatives of the Alabama
legislature. and afterwards for eight years
in the state senate.
I'm that body he was chairman of the
committee on the judiciary and also of
the democratic caucus. Being in this atti-
tude when Mr.. Mckinley was nominated,
1t was a crucial test of Mr. Hundley' s
moral courage to support the republican
nominee for the presidency. and he made
announcement of his purpose publicly
and firmly. 1t is creditabe to him and
his former party associates that his new
attitude created no question as to his
integrity or his sincerity and, so far as
/ am informed, 1t has left no impress
sons that are to his disadvantage.
refer to these facts in support of the
recommendation | have the honor to
make in favor of Mr. Hundley's appoint
ment.
But I support him not for any political
reason, but because / know that the
office is of great Importance to the peo-
pie of Alabama, and l am satisfied that
he would perform it's duties with abil-
ity, industry, courage and justice, and
with satisfaction to all good men. There
is no question on either of these grounds
as to the propriety of his appointment.
The strongest recommendation he pos
;c fl,a ~