The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-19
EIGHT GOVERNORS OF ALABAMA
 1874-19O1
No. 147-John Tyler Morgan in the Senate
 Joseph F. Johnston Governor
1874-19O1

Governor Johnston set before the peo- pie the address of 1000 or 5000 words, to which the last number here called at tcntion, reviewing his two administra- tions and appealing for public judgment, specially upon the wisdom and the suc- cess of his several initiative measures. Shortly thereafter he made announce n.ent of his candidacy to succeed Senator Morgan by choice of the legislature, itself to be chosen at the August general cleo ton, 1900.
 The governor claimed the succession on the merits of the varied political services he had rendered for S5 consecutive years, 31 of which were in unofficial capacity, gratuitous and self-sacrificing. In all of that time until now he had the advantage of the most cordial personal friendship of his fellow townsman, Senator Morgan, as well as his unqualified political con currence.
 The senator now expected election to a fifth term, hitherto an exceptional length of service in his office. We will make brief survey of the services. in the main, upon which his extraordinary claim for continued public favor was founded
 When this senator, chosen to succeed the first democrat allowed his seat in the Senate since the great war, Hon. George Goldwaithe retired voluntarily, appeared with his credentials he was met at the door by the imposter, Gen. George Spen- cer, holding yet by military duress the other seat in that body~ of right belong ing to Alabama. Spencer had procured report from a committee made in secrecy eli ha Saf.a fa tn TO- ject the credentials of the applicant on the ground that the election of the leg islature of 1876 was by fraud. In truth, the republican party, of which Spencer was head in this state, had no state ticket in the field to be voted for in the general election of August. 1876. few weeks before election day merchant of Selma, Noadiah Woodruff by name, de- clared himself an independent candidate for governor. but only in performance of trick matched by Spencer himself.
 Spencer spoke in favor of the commit tee report ruling Morgon out but when the vote was taken he and one other only voted yea when it was put on pas sage.
 At the beginning of his term. closing in 1901. the same trouble as at first await e1 this senator. The legislature of 1894 was condemned by resolutions of com- mittee of the Senate on the ground or fraud in the state election. This report was brought in on the contest of Col. w. s. Reese of Montgomery. Capt. R. r. Bolb, populist. opposed Colonel Oates, democrat for governor that year. Each ticket for governor respectively carried names of candidates for the legislature in sympathy with the candidate for gov eInor Reese claimed the kolb ticket had won the election, but was counted out in the black belt returns. The Senate found Reese's contest i'll taken.
 The first vote given by Senator Morgan was in the special session. customary to confirm the appointments of the newly elected President, Hayes, in this instance. The President sent In the name of of Fred Douglass, notable negro agitator, with white wife. as marshal of the Dis trict of Columbia; Morgan voted to con ! firm. Senator Harris from Tennessee, Ben Hill from Georgia and other southern sem stors consented to oblige the President in that case, with the expectation that he would meet them halfway and withdraw the garrison from the south that had been left in this section by President Grant with evil purpose. Under this tacit agreement the troops that occupied the capitols of South Carolina and Louisiana respectively were withdrawn and Hampton and Nich- ols respectively were peaceably put in the office of governor. So with Florida.
 The first success of Morgan came early. The Methodist Publishing House of Nash vile had been anxiousiy seeking compen- satory damages from Congress on account of the use by the invading military of its house and material for several years ot the war. It was a very complicated claim Senators Harris and Morgan, the latter performing most of the work. sue ceeded in passing the bill of relief. This achievement brought with 1t prompt reputation that proved enduring to the senator from Alabama.
 At an early day Senator Conklins from New York was astonished to hear southern brigadier reply to him in speech that the whole Senate listened to for four hours. on the Houso Bland silver coinage bill.
 As Morgans first term approached an end Hon. Charles S. Langdon of Mobile announced his opposing candidacy Ex- Governor Watts entered the contest. Nor gans election followed without serious effort of his friends or himself.
 is two years after Senator Morgan took his seat he entered upon bold and re- lfntlfss leadership, rescuing from the land grant railroads their unearned claims ~k--s>---