The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-19

, ber. This was to fill the vacancy oc-
| casioned by the death of Representative
| William M. Lowe. General Wheeler was
chosen over John b. Mcclellan, independ-
ent.
Lowe, Shelby and Mcclellan were cit
izens of the first rank, natives of the
district and Confederate soldiers of dis
tinction. The broken ranks of the party
that elected first Houston and next Cobb,
continued TO be fact of weight and a
source of disturbance throughout the
O Neal administration.
On December / Governor ONeal was IN
augurated. The ceremonies of the occa-
sion were most impressive. TIE inspiring
military record of the governor-eleet his
martial bearing, his personal popularity
and well known sympathy with the mill
tary spirit conspired to bring all the uni
! formed militia of the state to participate
in the occasion. That night grand In
augural ball was given.
The incoming governor received the gem
eral well done" of the people when he
announced the re-appointment of the pri-
} vate secretary of his predecessor. Col.
Robert Mckee
The legislature had organized on No
vember H. The membership was found
to be notable in the appearance of men
of early experience and distinction.
The senate chose for president general
George p. Harrison of Lee. w. l.. Clay
was continued in the office of secretary.
on the floor We're Thomas n Mcclellan
of Limestone, soon chief justice; David
ID. Shelby of Madison, later of the fed
eral judiciary. A. C. Davidson, soon rep
resentative in Congress; Thomas Seay,
successor to O'Neal. r. c. Jones, to be-
come president of the university; Willis
Brewer, A. c. Hargrove, j. b. Luckie,
and their piers.
The house chose Wilbur F. Foster of
Macon, speaker, and d. w. McIyer clerk.
Langdon of Mobile, Sam VIII John of
Dallas. the eloquent young c. c. Shorter
of Barbour. William j. Sanford, former
Congressman, Peter Hamilton who had
! just refused "a place ON the supreme
court; j. w Purifoy, Gen S A. M. Wood,
+. d. Millett, Edward A. Graham were
members. The incoming governor was
supported by legislature in both houses
of extraordinary ability in it's members.
| Senator Morgan came to the capital.
This was the Legislature charged with the
1 duty of electing a senator for a full term.
From first to last, through 80 years, the
senator never formally announced his can
didacy or specially solicited the vote ',r
aid of any man in his election. He said
SO. He was a full fedged candidate,
nevertheless and all Alabama recognized
tho CIRCUMSTANCES Will pitdSilS dHlicipd-
tions. The senator had broken up his
residence in Selma and sold his house
there. But he spent the summer of 1882
! In the state and delivered speeches a lif-
ferent points on federal and state politics.
Governor O Neal had been associated with
him In teh court case OF Sykes VS.. Spen-
Ger for seat in the Senate, and the two
men We're warm personal friends.
! Morgan's election to his second term
was never in jeopardy, but there were em-
inent Alabamians yet in the prime of life
and the pride of gerat public services. who
thought he should divide honors 1t was
remembered that in the army he had a
rule that whenever he could get possess
sion of two biscuits on the march he
would give one to fellow soldier, now to
la private, next to a colonel. He would
always divide there
| Governor Watts was an avowed candi-
| date. Capt Walter L. Bragg. president
| of the railroad commission, was recon-
mended by his many friends Hon. C. c.
| Langdon was at one stage of the situation
a candidate. Bragg never encouraged his
friends. Langdon withdrew his claims
but did not cease to oppose Morgan. Nor
gan took offense. AT the breakfast table
of the Exchange hotel he found Lang
| don and without hesitation then and there
administered to him a severe tongue lash.
| ing. A party caucus assembled, where
watts Withdrew without a vote. The two
| houses separately unanimously chose
Morgan. Three days later the houses IN
joint session unanimously confirmed his
election.
| During the Christmas holidays of the
legislature. that is, December 2S. a citizen
who had often been member of the bod y
| from Marengo, and who had in other high
labors most efficiently in self sacrifice
served the state. died at his home in De-
mopolis. Francis Strother Lyon amons
men bore without abuse the grand ola
name of gentleman" He was man OF
phenomenal success. AS neighbor. his
words and his example were a law to tie
| community where he lived In the active
service of Alabama he lived from youth
onward to his eighty-fourth year He
was mild hammered man. brave man
under all circumstances A biography Of
him is one of the sadly neglected duties
of the state.
JOHN wITHERSPOON DUBoSE.