The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-10

benjamin BaDD was 10 ne 81 railway COLI
duetor.
The blue uniform and brass buttons
appealed to his artistic nature. But he
was born with a serious handicap and
politics and journalism were as near as
he was able to reach his ideal in life.
Joe was born in the city and reared in
the city by father who was indulgent
and paid the bills. He was robbed by
misfortune of the luxury Of poverty and
the blessing of birth in the country where
the sun gives the hair sorrel tan and
the corn tassles paint freckles in the face.
But he cofd not help it. He has done
the best he could under the circum-
stances. He is a credit to the Community
and a well rounded success, but he grows
morose at times over the contemplation
of what might have been" had he not
been born with such handicap.
In the turbulent days when his blood
ran warm with the vigor of life before
the elixir of conservatism tempered the
soul and finished the pounded man, Mr..
Babb was a leader in Tennessee politics.
If most of his friends in Birmingham had
not already found it out, | would not at
this time disclose the fact that he was
at one time member of the Tennessee
legislature. The repetition of the fact
can detract nothing to his reputation
now.
But he only served one term and was
paroled into fat little office at the
state capitol, where he settled himself
down to the work of manipulating po-
litieal wires, making and undoing political
puppets.
In time however he wearied of the
game and came to Alabama. Let 1t be
said to his credit that he quit the game
before he was winded and classed as an
ALSO ran" Somehow Tennessee politics
has gone from bad to worse since he left
the state but he is held in no way re-
sponsble for this condition.
Mr.. Babb was born in Memphis, Tenn.
March 10. 1870, just ten years to a day
after the birth of that invincible COM
moner, William Jennings Bryan of Ne
braska and Texas. This coincidence prob
ably accounts for his political incllna-
TONS
+ The senior Babb was a cotton broker
of Memphis, and Joseph got his first
taste of work in his fathers office be-
tween school hours and when baseball
and fishing were not good. He does not
admit that he liked to work.
After finishing his education with two
| or three degrees at Cumberland universe
| ty young Babb engaged In the editing
of Sunday morning newspaper at Mem
phis. While still in the journalistic work
| he was elected to the legislature from
Shelby county. This was at the age of
| 2S He recalls with pleasure that he re-
ceived the nomination and election with
out the expenditure of penny.
| As a member of the legislature Mr..
Babb introduced and pushed through
some very important legislation, includ-
| ing the new age of consent law, and some
valuable election laws. He drafted the
| first effective primary law for the state.
One of his laws provided for watchers at
| the polls. During his term he led in the
| impeachment of very high official In
| the state. He was always a good fighter
and made quite a reputation for espous-
ing the cause of the people against cor
ruption and public evils
| OF course, he made enemier, but that is
| the supreme test of a mans worth.
| After his term In the legislature he
| served for a while in the comptroller's
| office, on the state finding board and
later was private secretary to Gov. Ben
| Mcmillan. He also served for while
as registration commissioner for David
son county. At intervals he took a dash
at journalism serving with the Cincinnati
Enquirer and for a timt conducted an
| editorial bureau at Memphis. This bu-
|
a number of newspapers over the state.
| Mr. Babb was campaign manager for
| James M. Head, who was elected mayor
| of Memphis about II years ago. This cam
paign was memorable for the fact thai
the Head organization succeeded In rout-
| Ing a political machine in Memphis that
was considered impregnable. Conditions
were admittedly bad in the city admins
tration, but the people seemed helpless to
remedy matters. They had no leader.
One day three men were standing in a
downtown cigar store smoking. The sub
ject of city politics came up and one of
the three men proposed that they organ
ize an opposition movement. One OF the
three men was Joseph Benjamin Babb.
He was one of the most enthusiastic in
the proposed movement. The result was
that a meeting OF the disgruntled was
called at Simmons hall. The attendance
at the first meeting was small, but the
leaders were not discouraged. They or
ganized forces and went to work.
The determination of the few leaders
soon inspired the confidence of the weak
err followers and 1t was not many days
until the Simmons hall democracy as
the new movement was called, developed
wonderful vitality. With Mr.. Babb as
manager of one of the most spectacular
campaigns in the history of Memphis.
Mayor Head was elected with a surprising
majority. a
Mr.. Babb was a baseball enthusiast
even a player--in his early days. He was
one of the organizers of the old Chicka-
saw team at Memphis, and was prominent
in his college teams. He was for some
time an active member of the Memphis
Athletic club. But he is too busy with
public affairs in his later life to devote
much time to sports.
Mr. Babb's advent into Birmingham was
one of those accidental incidents that
often turn the course of a mans ca
reer. He came to birmingham on busi-
ness in 1901 He intended to remain only
a few days.
1t happened that while he was in the
city the late Eli p Smith of the Bir-
mingham News was taken Ill. and was
given a leave of absence for some time.
The late Rufus N. Rhodes, then editor
and proprietor of the newspaper, heard
that Mr. Babb was in town and sent for
him. Mr.. Babb was asked to take Mr..
Smiths place as managing editor during
the latter's absence.
Mr. Babb considered the proposition for
a few days and decided to accept. He was
growing weary of politics and still had
a fondness for journalism.
Mr.. Babb continued with the News UP
until December 2. 1904 when he was elect
ed secretary of the Commercial club of
birmingham. He has made an enviable
record in this position. His wide ex-
nerjence as a politician and journalist
gave him peculiar fitness for the manage
ment of public problems that come be-
fore this body.
One of the most striking monuments to
,,s faitt, Il, birmingham and his energy