The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-25

the foul money bags and who under
Johnston's direction undertook to debauch
the electorate, of the Sixth district This
is Illuminating, in view of the fact that
captain Hobson has recalled with a deal
OF soul satisfaction that he had never
spoken unkindly of "the late lamented
Johnston 1t win be further iIluminat-
ing when it is made known that although
| Captain Hobson stated that Senator John
ston had actually indorsed Colonel Hoop
er, Colonel Hooper is not and has not
been an applicant for the position of
collector of internal revenue
HObson NOminates Brother
1nasmuch as Captain TIobson failed to
indorse Mr.. HOLMAN, and went so far
in explanation of that action as to de-
clare that Hoffman was lacking in char
acter, it might be pertinent TO INQUIRE
of Captain Hobson concerning the iden-
uty of the man whom he did indorse
Captain Hobson indorsed John d. Nc
Neel, who eventually was appointed and
confirmed. Before that appointment and
confirmation. however, Captain Hobson
was released from obligation by Mr.. Nc
Neel, and he thereupon presented a can
didate of his own. That candidate was
a brother of Captain Hobson. 1t is un-
| derstood that Captain Hobson had been
informed that Mr.. McNeel had no chance
of success, and 1t is probable that on
that account he asked Mr. McNeel to
release him, and for that reason nomi-
mated his brother.
His nominee. however. Jared badly at
/ the hands of Treasurer MeAdoo and
others, for despite his application and
his Endorsement. Mr.. McNeel, whom Cap-
tain Hobson had been informd had no
chance TO win, was appointed and with
out hitch occurring in the programme
was confirmed by the Senate lie is at
| in oh Of :,
fice and is in Birmingham on duty.
Sincerely Your Friend
There are other features in connec-
tion with the remarkable letter of Cap
tain Hobson to Mr.. Hoffman which de-
mand attention
The crisis in which, according to Can
tain Hobson, Mr.. Hoffman had displayed
a lack of character. occurred in 1910. 1t
was in this letter of July %, 1913-three
years later-that the first known intima-
tion was given by Hobson that anything
other than the warmest friendship ex.
listed between the correspondents Prior
to his reception of the letter Mr. Holli-
man had never imagined that Captain
I1obson had the remotest idea that he was
lacking in character.
Between 1910 and 1913 a span of
three years interviewed. Between these
dates there had been correspondence
between the two. AS late as January
p, 1913, Captain Hobson wrote to Mr..
HOLMAN, sending 10 sheets of vege-
table seed franks, urging that he fill
out blanks with names of people in
the vicinity of Fayette and signing
himself, ''Sincele1y. Your Friend.
Three years later Captain Hobson wrote
TO Mr. HOLMAN in regard to the ap-
plication of Cleon Propst to be made
postmaster at OalSman. He concluded,
with good wishes. ] remain. sincerely
your friend. r. p. Hobson.'
Two days later Captain Hobson wrote
another letter to this individual
lacking In character" In this letter
lie discussed Holliman's application for
collector of internal revenue. but he
did not frankly tell Mr.. Hoffman of
his lack of character" He did write,
however, as follows:
About the Collectorship
In the matter of the collector
ship, party with prior claims has
notified me that he may be cam
didate and for me not to commit
myself for the present, which re-
quest | am compelled to respect
| Will let you know in time what
he decides. Then again Horace
Gibson is candidate for United
States marshal for the northern
district of Alabama and his claims
are prior to yours and his interests
would be impaired by my active
efforts for you, at least at this
L point; so all In ALL the situation
Will have to remain in statu quo
for awhile longer
with good wishes, I am very
sincerely yours.
"R p. HoBsON"
Still no reference to Holliman's lack
of character Instead the letter con
tains an intimation. the possibility of
an intimation. of future aid in enhanc-
ing Holliman's ambition.
For he wrote-"hs interests
would be impaired by my active
efforts for you. at least at this
point; so the situation will have
to remain in statu quo for awhile
longer"
The friendship between Hobspn and
HOLMAN was again revealed when on
February ~, 1913, the former wrote
10 the latter regarding the latter's
recommendation of Mrs. Addie Perry
Tor postmistress at Carbon Hill Hob
son concluded that letter "Thanl<ine.
you for your letter and with kind re-
gard and best wishes, I remain, sim
cerely your friend, r. p. Hobson.'
Then Came Shock
\ And then July 20 came the letter in
4 which Hobson informed his faithful
former ally that he was without char
acter. 1t was like the proyerbial holt
W.
time later Captain Hobson did exert
himself in regard to the application Of
a man seeking the post from which
| Hoffman was excluded by "his lack
\ of character" The captain indorsed
John d. McNeel and later withdrew
that Endorsement with the sanction of
Mr. McNeel, and nominated his own
brother for the post In this nomina-
tion it is possible that Captain Hobson
| had, overlooked that paragraph in a
former letter to HOLMAN in which he
WI ote; Then again Horace Gibson is
a candidate for United States marshal
from the northern district of Alabama
and his claims arc prior to yours and
his interest would be impaired by my
active efforts for. you"
| Mr.. HOLMAN had been an original
| '.Hohson man" He had supported the
cal tain in his every campaign. He had
| fought his battles in Fayette county
ard credit is generally given him for.
putting Fayette county, the home eoun-
| ty of Senator Bankhead. in the Hobson
column. His neglect of his business in
aiding Captain Hobson was. he declares
! in letter a contributing cause to his
failure in business. He has always sup
| ported Captain Hobson. openly and val
iantly and only once has he done other
wise than the captain would have had
| him do
| Some Political History
| Leading up to the. causes of the
''bieak" and the charge of lack OF
| character" a bit of political history
is recalled. When Hobson was prepar-
ing to make his second race against