The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-27

express the hope that in green old age
the lines may continue to fall about him
in pleasant places. and that he may live
to realize the full fruition of the hope
that his beloved state may see apples OF
gold and pictures of silver from the tree
of the constitution that he has helped
to plant.
1t required two-thirds vote to suspend
the rules of the convention and to bring
the resolution on for adoption. Upon the
call of the roll for ayes and nays. the
rules were suspended and the resolution
adopted. There were some negative votes
Such action by one of THE ablest con-
ventions ever assembled In Ala bama," to
use Mr.. Knox's own language, was very
great compliment.
1t was unexpected on my part, and I
have always felt that the partially of
that convention bestowed upon my labors
greater honor than they deserved. / ap-
preciate it, however, none the less, and
appreciate it far higher than any office
ever held or even aspired to. / en-
deayor and hope no mistake of mine in
public or private life will ever discredit
the estimate expressed in these resolu-
lions.
The rules were suspended and resolu-
ton adopted. There were some negative
votes. I was not present when the vote
was taken. Mr.. Knox was present, and
may know who voted negatively.
As Mr.. Knox seems to have searched
the past for instances of personal gift"
and 'benefactions' to me and made no
mention of this. the greatest test of pub
lie confidence of my life, I was at first
tempted by way OF inquiry whether I
could justly retort back his "et tn,
Erute, but recalling rhe fact that he
alone had the prerogative and ability to
stand as the Calhoun or Morgan of Ala
bama, I was not sure that he would not
regard 1t as an intrusion upon his sole
and superior claims to speak also for
Julius Caesar. A negative vote at such
as time on such an issue was like 1.-THE
rent the envious Casca made" I feel at
liberty to quote Mark Antony. Notwith-
standing all these gifts and "benefac-
TONS" and we have seen what they were,
Mr.. Knox says if ] ever raised my finger
to aid him he was not aware of Y. Well,
Judging by the results of the last pri-
mary election for United States senator,
when Mr.. Knox was a candidate and left
so far behind by Senators Bankhead and
Johnston, he may be right, but no one
knows any better than Mr.. Knox that
did the best l could for him. During
Governor Corners canvass he referred 10
the corporation lawyers In very denuncia-
tory terms. stopped just short of charg-
ing them with corruption and as menials
of the railroads, and left no doubt that
Mr. Knox especially was within corpora
ton environments" I replied to Gov
ernor Corners Tuscaloosa address on this
line as best / could, as Mr. Knox did not
ram inclined to pick up the gauntlet in
defense of the constitution and corpora
ton lawyers"
Upon Mr. Knox's request I made sug-
gestions as to his opening address, of his
canvass for United States Senate critf-
cized 1t perhaps extensively to one so
sensitive. ] suggested that the then can
vass required bacon and green's not
syllabus and rhetoric" Northumberland
ing all of Governor Comer's denuncia-
tions. when Governor Conner delivered his
address in Birmingham. / believe at a
meeting of the editors, it was reported
that Mr.. Knox outstripped every admirer
and was the first to grab the governor
hand with congratulations l wrote him
about this performance, but he did not
reply. During his entire canvass l never
read of a single instance of an issue he
made with Mr.. Conner as to his past de-
nuneiation or his then declared policies.
know very well that no one has ex-
celled MIR. Knox during the lastsyear or
so in criticising Governor Conner per-
sonally and his administration. Many
regret that he did not see that the interest,"
| of the state demanded some defense De-
| fore the last gube rnatorial election. 9th
| ers have been uncharitable enough to
| suggest tine old adage. that a Giving dog
| is to be feared more than a dead or dying
| lion. No personal allusion on the par'
| OF the writer to the governor is intended,
| but a mere repetition of stated suggestions
| The best way, however, to settle this mat
| Ter is for Mr.. Knox to publish my let
| tiers to him in full j not only agree to II,
hut request that he do SO to vindicate the
! sincerity of my efforts to assist him in
that gge--tnough without so much OF
result as the weight of the little finger
| IF ire Hon. John B. Knox. / claim the
| credit awarded to the widow for her mite
| promise If these letters are published
| some interesting reading will be fur
! lished
| Reference to Briareus
| The following reference to our senator
clipped from The AGe-Harald, viz: 1.-The
| Hon. John II. Bankhead, present senior
senator from this state the great Talley-
rand of Alabama politics, who. with his
pantber-like read and with the arms OF
| Alabama. noiseless and voiceless, leaving
| no tracks," furnishes very correct in
| dex of the character and bent of mind
| of Mr.. Knox. 1t sounds big and, there
| fore, pleased his fancy. The two char
acters. one furnished by more recent
! history, the other handed down from the
days of heather mythology, present ex-
actly contradictory ideas to those in
| tended by Mr.. knox, The first, Talley-
brand, lis portrayed as tho princeps of in
'Itrigners. immoral and treascherous. but 1
great scholar, patron Of education, iallt