The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-02
MCCONNELL & BRAXTON
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and come before you to indorse the three men named as commissioners for Bir- mingham. I therefore lend my unhesitat- ing support to them. They are men of good sound business sense and capable in every manner for this high work
 B. F. Moore Next
 B. F. Moore of Moore & Handley, oy whom Harry Jones is employed, said:
 q have known Harry Jones in my firm for "A years. In that length of time if he had not been honest I would have been able to find it out without having to be a detective or mind reader. He is honor able, true and efficient. He has been an alderman from a ward typifying the best intellect of Birmingham for 20 years and not one shadow has been yet cast upon him.
 ''For Judge Lane it is not necessary for any man to say a word. He is the best of our community and every man ad- mires his splendid courage, upright char aoter and absolutely unimpeachable life.
 q have known MT. Exum many years. He is liberal in all charitable affairs, is a successful man of affairs and a capable officer He will do something for Bir- mingham if tested and l am sure will render services of which all of us will be proud.
 Robert JemisOn, ST., Heard
 Robert Jemison, Sr made the next speech. He indorsed the three commits soners named and said in addition:
 :'I came here. governor, unsolicited and at a common impulse to lend whatever I could to the indorsement of MT. Jones, Mayor Exum and Judge Lane.
 Each of these men has made a sue cess at his own business and can render valuable aid to Birmingham. This body of men before you this morning will compare quite favorably with any that can be brought to Montgomery. They will at least compare favorably with~those who have been doing the criticising. have been living in Birmingham 30 years and never heard anyone impugn the char acter of any of these men
 Alderman J. E.. Morriss
 Alderman John E. Morriss said:
 "I am sure the men agreed upon fof Birmingham's commissioners cannot be improved upon. They have been talked of by the newspapers, quoting other cit izens and everyone thought happy se- lection had been made. We who typify the business men of Birmingham believe this is still true
 Webb CrawfOrd's Words
 
 webb W. Crawford, president of the American Trust and Savings company, said:
 "Governor. we have come here to tes- tifv to the good character and fitness of Exum, Jones and Judge Lane. As to the latter he needs no indorsement as we all agree, for there are none who will cast any shadow upon him.
 The commission form of government 's an experiment and we do not think 1t will be a success unless the right men are placed in charge. .
 ''The three men you have selected will act harmoniously and will give to Bir- mingham the good government we need
 'I have known Harry Jones for many years. Why, when l was clerk ana treas urer of the city many years ago he was an alderman He has served faithfully and well and there is no better citizen in Birmingham.
 "As for Culpepper Exum, he has made a success at his own business. He mas been doing good for Birmingham and II we keep him in affairs he will do some thing better for Birmingham. Inis dele, gation, I think, feels sure there would not be any mistake in making this se- lection"
 Dr. Cunningham Speaks
 The last speaker was former Gov. Rus sell M. Cunningham. He said:
 'The people of Birmingham adopted the commission form of government not as a rebuke to the officials, but because of a pressing need for change. It was believed that a lesson could be learned from the great corporations who operate their business with one head. All these men are efficient. They are worthy of trust, and are men of affairs.
 "Judge Lane is a lane that has no turn ing when that turning is to error We all admi1e his splendid courage, integrity and honesty.
 file is capable, eminently fit and a perfectly straightforward man. l have known Harry Jones for many years He Is to be trusted implicitly and we do not think there would be any mis- take made in appointing these two and Culpepper Exum. Iney are men Of af fairs. they are good boys and will give to Birmingham that time and atten- ton coupled with ability that we need tc, get in line for bigger and broader things"
 receiving the delegation and hls straightforward speech in which was carried the suggestion that he did not see any reason for deviating from the original course was of intense satis- faction to the Birmingham delegarND.
 The whole visit, speechfest and recep- tion by the governor caused smiles or glaGness to overspread the faces of the delegation favorng Culle Exum. Happy Harry Jones and Judge Lane. And when it was all, over and Governor ONeal led the crowd from the supreme court room through the verandas to his offices a little caucus was being held in niche of the library. In that were John w. Altman, Jesse Stallings and Peyton C.. Bowron. They were in the supreme court room while the speeches were sbeing made.
 When MT. Altman, who is assuming the lead in attacking Harry Jones, came out of the library he was asked for a statement He reiterated former state ment that MT. Jones would never be ap- pointed. He went into the governor s office later and was closeted with him some time The general opinion today was the orig inal three would be appointed, if Judge Lane is not disqualified by the constitu- 'tional provision. In that event the en- tire affair will be up in the air for in the entire controversy Judge Lane has shone o''t brightly as one against whom not one detrimental thing has been said and ono whom everyone wanted.
 If is anticipated that the next action to be taken is the sending of the bill back to the legislature for an amendment, and then the appointments being made by