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

Knox revised his remarks somewhat, but
my replies to him were not revised and
show the exact point of debate between
US. There was no vital or material point
involved and none that was to become
part of the constitution. The only OBJ
jectionable part in the debate was the at
tempt by Mr.. Knox to question my
motives and discredit the sincerity of my
argument Perhaps the consciousness of
this attempted injustice on his part
which was promptly exposed by the
record--nay have led him to believe that
1 was influenced against him. I was in
the minority quite frequently, especially
on questions of Command merit but
never took offense. nor was my vanity
excited by being in the majority.
I wish the three days, the 25th and
26th and 2Sth days of discussion on
that subject were before the public.
They would see Mr.. Knox is hard run
for something to use against me and
for little glory. He lost out on the
2Sth day, after making two speeches,
but seems not to remember it when
the matter was left to the discretion
of the legislature. Mr.. Knox brings
up the old contest for chief justice
in which he says he decided to sup
port me against Judge Mcclellan. He
doesn't say whether he made this de-
cision because he thought / was the
best "fitted' for the office, or from an
expectation "of favors." My position
in that contest was well known. L re-
fused to declare for free silver 16 to
land Mr. Bryan. 1t is well remem-
bered that Mr.. Bryan made two trips
to Alabama during that contest and
no one doubted the emergency of the
free silver cause brought him to its re-
lief and the assistance of Judge Nc
Clellan think 1t Is generally known,
and l know 1t very well, that 1 was as
sured time and again that If L would
declare for free silver and Mr.. Bryan
I should have the nomination. My in
variable answer was that / did not be-
lieve in the doetrine thought it ought
not to be made a test for judicial
office, and that I would not barter my
sincerity and integrity for the office,
and I lost out on that and have never
regretted for a moment my determine
ton nor the consequences.
Labor In Calhoun
Mr. Knox tells of his labors In get
ting the delegates from Calhoun for
me. He knows very well that [ had
friends in Calhoun that did as much
for me as he did and without whose
assistance I do not believe he could
have succeeded to a place on that dell
eRaIlOn. lie OuRnI u hnOW -
was the organization of my friends that
gave to Calho un it's nominee to Su-
perintendent of education. He ought
also TO remember that same organiza-
ton furnish ed the nucleus for the or
ganization at the next general cleo
ton, which resulted in electing sound
money state officers. Let all of that
pass into the by-gone. | appreciated
what he did and think 7 will satisfy
- l..1. 4lx,t h.
turned four-fold for the assistance
rendered me.
If Mr.. Knox thinks his labors in my
behalf in the contest for chief justice
entities him to so great consideration
at my hands, what must l do with
Bankhead? He (Bankhead) was a del
egate of the convention and selected
by my friends to put me in nomina-
ton. Not only every delegate from
his county was there for me, but ev-
cry delegate from the adjoining coun-
ty and every delegate from his con-
gressional district, and wherever he
could muster any assistance both Sem
ator Bankhead and Congressman Rich
ardson voted for me.
1 am not ungrateful, Mr.. Knox,
and you are the first man in Alabama
who has ever tried to justify an I'M
justifable attitude on such grounds.
1
constitutional convention at the risk
of being charged, a la mode Knox, of
boosting himself. Without any knowl-
edge of information on my part and
during my absence on August 81, the
seventy sixth day of the convention,
and which was after the adoption OF
the franchise article. Mr.. Parker OF
Gilmore introduced resolution 3iT, as
| follows
"Whereas, Thomas w. Coleman
whose services as chairman Of the COM
mittee on suffrage and elections es-
pecially, has become of inestimable
value to this, convention; and whose
age, experience and wisdom have en-
| titled him by common consent the nes-
tor OF the conventions has taken in
| definite leave of absence for a much
needed rest, and this convention may
not have the benefit of his wise coun-
sci or the pleasure of greeting him
again. Now, therefore, be it resolved
First. that this convention hereby ex-
press its high appreciation of his great
services to the state of Alabama in the
formation of the proposed censtitu-
| ton
| Second: That we commend him and
his posterity to the people of Ala
bama for the purity of his motives
his distinguished ability and lofty pa
| triotism which has characterized his
long service to the state and especial
| ly the self scarifce he has made as
| d member of this convention. =,
! 3. That this conyan tion tenders to shin
| individually and collectively StheIr' gener'
vtls fs,p tkfs frlftrre welfare nc