The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-25

Taleyrand. the Bishop of Autun. A
furious assault was made in a Paris news
paper against the Bishop of Autun, and
the disgraceful charge was made, that the
bishop, the night before, had won at a
banning table in one of the clubs in Paris
| 1000 francs, q charge which the bishop
Indignantly denied! He said in his de-
tense that he had only won $4,000 francs!
"tb) Our senator accounts for the years
when | had unjustly accused him of be-
ing in office by explaining that during this
period he was between the pillow handles
oil his farm In Fayette county, adding to-
the wealth and prosperity of that county.
This was noble thing for him to do, the
noblest thing l ever heard of his doing,
and I regret to think that, having done
20, the people of his home county should
have proven ungratefu1, since l am in
formed that a majority in that county has
never voted for him in a contested cleo
toni
while | must not be understood as
making any application of the illustra-
ton to the case in hand, I'VE know that
q case might arise where you could spoil
good pillow hand and make a poor sem
ator!
"(c) The brilliant young correspondent
of the Birmingham Age-Herald from
Montgomery, whose reports are always Of
interest to the people of Admission, in adj
having married one of our loveliest young
women, gives an interesting and gossipy
account as to how our senator secured his
present office. He says 1t is understood
that the position of alternate senator was
created for my benefit. but explains that
while I was always regarded as the fav-
critic in the race, in the ''mix-up'' Mr..
Bankhead managed to nose" In ahead.
and the favorite did not even succeed in
getting place, but ended third in the race.
This affords me an opportunity of say
ing that had nothing to do with the plan
for an alternate senatorship. was out
OF the state when the committee met and
read with surprise in a paper published in
the state of Georgia the plan adopted.
| also did not fail to note that one of
Mr.. Bankhead's sons was present. and, as
I understood actively favored the adop-
ton of the plan This plan for alternate
senator was f1ercely criticised as an in
fr!ngement upon the prerogative of the
governor to appoint in case Of a vacancy.
During the senatorial contest in which
I was defeated have been informed from
many sources that Mr.. Bankhead indus
triously circulated the report that I was
the author of the plan. and that 1t was
adopted for my benefit. In fact, he
went SO far as to mention the matter to
me himself. In reply I stated to him that
1t was not true; that l was out of the
state and did not know that such plan
was brewing or would be presented to the
committee, and only read of its adoption
By the committee In paper in an adj
joining state; but that I had noticed that
one of his sons was present at the meet
ing of the committee, and as understood
had favored its adoption.
Having been disastrously defeated
for reelection to Congress in his own
district, / asked well-informed public
f,, 1ob moi hnuy ba
accounted for Senator Bankheads VIC
cess In this race. He explained it In this
way: He said Mr.. Bankhead was always
good second choice man, and with
seven running and two to select he sue
ceeded in getting himself complimented
into office!
"(d) Mr.. Laird, in the report above re-
ferred to says: I'm hot debate he (Sen-
stor Bankhead) has just defeated Sem
ator Hepburn and secured the loan Of
army tents to the old soldiers at the Mo-
| bile reunion
This was splendid triumph, and
| suppose II l were not a candidate against
| him l would be compelled to concede
| that 1t ought to entitle him to reelection,
slbeit these courtesies on the part Of the
| federal government to the Confederate
| veteran have been quite common, and
| granted as a matter of course, since
broader and a more liberal spirit toward
tho south II being enforced under the ad-
n,inistration Of our present national chief
executive. Mr.. Taft.
But listen! The very suggestion that
anything should be done fof>the Confed-
crate veteran. or that any recognition
should be given to all these southern
states and to the vast interests they rep
resent. gave to Mr.. Hepburn, the senator
from Idaho, an occasion to make most
bitter attack upon our section, and a most
unjust denunciation of the lack Of patriot-
| ism OF the Confederate soldier.
Mr.. Bankhead, however, as the repre-
sentative from Alabama, not only got the
tents. but he rose grandly to the 90
casion which the situation presented. His