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

governor. He was my active supporter
and showed me kind attentions during nsy
visit to the town of Centrevilie where he
then resided. lie was at that time the
sheriff of the county and had been
thought worthy of that important office
by a majority of the people, among whom
he lived
LAS ! recall it, my third meeting with
Mr., Oakley was in Florence, where he
came after my nomination to apply for
the office to which he was afterward APP
pointed. After ] had been inaugurated
as governor, Mr.. Oakley presented to me
very strong Endorsement of himself for
the office which he aspired to hold. This
consisted of petitions and letters adj
dressed to me. Among the writer's OF
these letters were the entire Alabama
congressional delegation. Hon. Oscar I'm.
derwood is justly considered to be man
of unusual discriminating and balanced
judgement. Mr.. oakley then lived in his
congressional district. Mr.. Underwood
said in part:
Mr.. Underwood's Letter
'I have known Mr.. Oakley a great
many years; he is man of the very high
est character, and of very considerable
business capacity. | do not think that
you can find a more efficient and capable
man to fill the position he aspires to than
Mr.. Oakley, and | earnestly urge upon
you his appointment to the position
Mr.. w b. Craig, then representative
from the Fourth district said in recon-
mendation of Mr. Oakley, in part:
He has been a success both in bri
vate business and as sheriff of his coun-
ty. He is active and energetic. His in
tegrity is beyond question, and he pos
sesses to a high degree the executive ca
pacity so necessary in the conduct of the
office to whihc he aspires.'
Hon. Henry D. Clayton said in his let.
ter with reference to Mr.. Oakley
He is one of the truest and best men
| ever knew. He is an unusual good and
successful business man. In fact, his ex-
pelienee, ability and good judgment quail
ify him fully for this position. If | were
governor I would give him this place. |
cannot commend him too highly to YOU.
l hope you will appoint him.
Hon. J. Thomas Hefin said:
Mr.. Oakley is in every way capable
of filing this important office. and I am
sure he would make a satisfactory Officer
and reflect credit your administration
Mr.. Henin also telegraphed me an III
dorsement of Mr.. Oakley.
Hon. r. p. Hobson wrote me as fol-
lows:
Hobson's Endorsement
4 take the liberty of writing you to
indorse the. application of James G. Oak
ley, sheriff of Bbb county, for appoint
ment to the position of president of the
state convict board Sheriff Oakley is
highly qualified for the office and ! trust
his application may receive favorable con-
sideration.
Attached to Mr.. Oakley's application
is a letter from Hon. John l.. Burnett,
addressed to Hon Oscar Underwood, and
is as follows
81 am in receipt of your favor of the
18th inst, asking me to indorse the APP
plication of J. G.. Oakley for the ap-
pointinent as president of tile state board
of convict inspectors j know Mr.. Oakley
Well from reputation and would be delight
ed to give him my Endorsement but for
the fact that there will probably. be ar
applicant from my own district. If II
should turn out that there is none,
will be very glad to indorse Mr.. Oakley.
"A letter from Hon. George w. Taylor
to Mr.. Underwood. filed with Mr. oakley's
application. is as follows:
Your pleasant letter about Mr.. Oak
ley of Bibb county at hand. / remember
well his conspicuous ability as a good
citizen and officer. and know that he
must be a fine fellow. If no one from
my district applies, nothing will give ms
more pleasure than to send you lettei
4 for him.
"A letter from Hon. William Richardson
to Mr.. Underwood, after excusng himself
| from recommending Mr.. Oakley on the
! ground that there We're applicants from
| his own district Tor the position, alludes
| to Mr. Oakley in the following terms:
! - 4 Join with you most heartily in the
commentator of Mr.. Oakley, for 1 am
/ fully advised that he is a most excellent
man and a man of ability, and ] have nc
| doubt would ill the position he seeks with
| credit to the administration and him.
I SELF
i Mr. S. H. Dent. Jr.. in letter to Mr.
| Underwood. excuses himself from asking
! Mr. Oakley's appointment on the grount
| that there might be an applicant from his
own district. lie said:
"1f such situation does not arise.
| know of no reason why later on L can
not indorse him for the position
''Mr. Dent subsequently signed the pc
| tItion asking for Mr. Oakley's appoint.
| ment.
| The congressional recommendation:
| in the order in which they come in my
files are here broken by an interesting
communication from a very prominent
near congressman who resided in Walker
county, and who seems to be quite aero
batic in his judgment of men. I refer tt
Mr. r L. Long, whose letter is as fol
lows:
MY Dear Governor According to m,
Judgment, the appointment of James
Oakley of Bibb county TO the presidency
of the convict board will meet with al
most universal approval among youi
many friends Mr.. Oakley is possessed