The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-15

some other man that I would refer the
matter Of the selection of a purchasing
agent TO Mr. Oakley. The only verbal
c,,,,x ersation l ever had with Mr.. Ions
an this subject was one in which | said
to him that | often thought there was
no necessity for a purchasing agent. As
n1atter of fact, on discussing the SUBJ
iect with Mr.. Oakley he agreed with me
that this office was not necessary, and
suggested that what ne did need was a
general superintendent of the eonvicts in
the mines, stationed at Birmingham. He
was permitted to employ for this pur-
lose Mr.. Hucka bee, a mining engineer
who was represented to me 20 be a man
of character and ability in his profession.
Mr. Huckabee never exercised any duties
as purchasing agent with my knowledge
or consent, and when 1t did come to my
knowledge that he was so doing the prac-
tice promptly ceased.
Purchasing Agent Necessary
Later events have developed that the
office of purchasing agent was neces-
sary adjunct TO the department. put II
was not filled with my knowledge or
consent until the affairs of the depart
nent had been administered for nearly
Two years The documentary contradic-
tton and impeachment of Mr.. Long above
set out makes it wholly unnecessary to
assume that anyone Will Sttach any
weight or eredibility to his testimony.
Ills present vindictive state OF mind
grows evidently out of the fact that
did not-and I believe it to have been
one of the wisest acts of omission of my
administratior-put him IN position
where he could deal with the public in
either of two of the states S most lnpor-
tant financial departments. The pres
sue Of self-interest in either OF these de-
laaxA f1pf fad
Long from the path of rectitude and
duty. but | feel that | have more safely
guarded the interest of the state in en-
trusting them to other hands.
In his interview in Sundays Age
Herald Mr. Long says that he indorsed
and supported me and that this was
probably the greatest of his many mis-
takes; that he prays that God may for
give him. but is apprehensive that the
people of Alabama never will. In consid-
ering the majority which received / am
profoundly grateful to the thoughtful peo-
pie of Alabama that they did not per-
init the fact that | was supported by
such a man as Mr.. Long to initiate
against me. | congratulate myself that
with that incubus upon me 1 was still
able to carry the election. and 1t is a
high tribute to the discriminatory intelli-
genee of the electorate of this state that
they did not visit upon me the Feelings
with which they must have viewed the
character of this one of my supporters.
"I have dealt with Mr.. Long at
length, not because his position in any
respect In the state of Alabama re-
quires me to dignity him with reply,
hut his statements have been SO mis-
leading so false. that to have per-
nlitted them to go unchallenged and
to have failed to exhibit him in his
true light to the people OF the state
of Alabama might have caused some
of them to give his statements
credit, to which, considering the source
from which they emanate they are
altogether not entitled Having done
this | here dismiss Mr.. Long from fur
ther consideration or notice. 1t would
be to assume the people of Alabama
lack in even common intelligence TO
further show the falsity of statements
" hich Mr.. Long may make. Mr. Long
deceived himself If he assumes that he
will ever be a political Moses and lead
the people of Alabama into a political
Canaan His actions better fit him to
vie with others of his class in winning
by his capering and coarse buffooneIy
the plaudits of gaping rustics'