The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-13

of many virtues, the greatest of which is
his true and loyal devotion to his friends
under any and all circumstances. He
possesses without question all other quail
ifeations necessary for the position he
desires. There is not man to be found
in Alabama who could fill the position
with more credit than Mr.. Oakley. He
has no superior and but few equals. His
appointment would reflect credit on your
administration, and will be a just reward
to one who has been devoted to the cause
that we both love, which was first made
an issue in Alabama by yourself.
Wishing your administration great
success, remain, yours very truly,
1T l.. LONG
ut is one of the singular viclssitudes of
political life that Mr.. Long should now
desire my Impeachment for adopting the
views which but a few short months ago
he so enthusiastically expressed. NY
knowledge of Mr.. Longs profound and
discriminating judgment of men and of
his strict adherence to the truth on all
occasions, induced me TO place great re-
lance upon any expression which he
might make with reference to the fit
ness of applicants for office Mr. Longs
letter occupies perhaps undue space in
this statement, but the amount of at
tention given it here is not in excess
proportion to the sound with which his
been heard.
Knox's Endorsement
Passing without transition from the
ridiculous to the sublime / call atten-
ton to a letter from the Hon. John 3.
Knox MIR. Knox said in part
Mr.. Oakley is eminently qualified to
discharge the responsible duties of the
office. and his faithful service to the
party deserves some recognition at the
hands of a democratic administration.
Mr.. Oakley and I have been personal
friends for years and l hold him in very
high esteem
Senator Bankhead, supporting Mr..
Oakley's application. wrot. N part.
. L desire to commend ldr Oakley to
you in the strongest terms. He Is a
thorough democrat, man of affairs,
experience, and has splendid executive
ability sincerely trust that at the prop
er time you viii favorably consider his
application
Senator Johnston wrote me in sup
port of Mr. Oakley the following letter:
You will remember that / spoke 20
you when in the campaign last fall, in
regard to the appointment of Oakley. l
stated then what l still believe that there
was not a more capable man in the state
than Oakley. He is. not only capable,
friend, one to be trusted under all cir
cumstances, and | sincerely hope that
you can find it within your power to
give him the appointment
Judge B. nj. Miller Writes
Judge B. NJ Miller, under whom Oak
ley served as sheriff, wrote, in part, as
follows:
He wants to be president of the state
.i<,t x,,.ix I, 4
make an ideal one. He will fill the place
with credit and honor if you appoint
him. His appointment would meet with
the hearty approval of all who know
him, and he is well known all over Ala
bama
"Col. E. L. Russell wrote me on this
subject in part, as follows:
:" Mr.. Oakley has not said anything
to me on this subject. but learned from
a mutual friend of ours that lie would
like to have this place. and L want you
to reserve your appointment for this po-
sition until you can get around to James
G. Oakley. He has every Qualification
that should commend him to secure the
appointment
Hon. Walker Percy wrote me the
following letter:
y made in the daily papers that you
would probably appoint Mr. James G.
Oakley of Ribb county as president of
the board of convict inspectors. l hope
the intuition of the reporters on this sub
ject is correct. Jim Oakley is a fine
fellow. ! do not believe better Sc
lection could be made for this office
MIR. Frank n. Julian wrote me tho
following letter. in part:
:" desire to add my Endorsement to the
large and representative Endorsement al
ready in behalf of Hon. James G.. Oakley
for president of the convict board. To
my mind Mr.. Oakley possesses to the
highest degree the essentials so necessary
for an executive officer of this kind. He
is a successful business man. thorough
ly in touch with mining condition, has
full knowledge of labor required for lum-
ber manufacturing companies, and had
much to do with handling convicts, has
humane nature guaranteeing CORRECT
treatment of the state convicts, has busi-
ness qualifications guaranteeing to the
state that the board will receive the great
est amount of revenue possible.
Mr.. G. B. Mccormack wrote me with
reference to Mr. Oakley's application in
Fart as follows:
'' q know he is well fitted for the posi-
ton for which he applies. I feel that
his appointment would give universal sat
isfaction, for he is an honest, energetic
and capable man who has the courage
to do right as he sees it under all cir
cumstances. / write this letter without
knowledge of Mr.. Oakley, and without
| any request on his part to do So
Harding's Letter
"Mr w. P, G. Harding wrote me as
| follows:
d" I nave known Mr.. Oakley favorably
| for several years. and believe he is bet
ter qualified for the position than any
other applicant that have yet heard Of
| trust that you will give his application
| favorable consideration
| Judge John II. Craig in writing me
| in reference to Mr. Oakley gave a num-
her of reasons why Mr.. Oakley should bels
appointed, among them the following:
" I. Because there is no more COM
+, petent or worthy man in the state.
2. Because all the people who stood
! by you, and a majority of those who
opposed you desire his appointment.
| Letters, to quote from which would
expand this statement to an unreasonable
length, but each of which expressed in
| Ike terms to those quoted, Mr. Oakley s
fitness for the appointment were received
| from the following gentlemen, we'll known
throughout the state of Alabama. The
| capacity of these gentlemen to judge men
must be conceded without dissent They
| are as follows:
George g. Crawford, president of the
tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad COM
Iany.
IL. Sewer. general agent Alabama Great
Southern Railroad company.
y. II. Bankhead, Jr.. attorney at law.
&C NJ. Sherrod state senator.
w b. Merrill. state senator.