The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-16

Hilary A. Herbert. former Confederate soldier, member of Congress from the state of Alabama, and secretary of the navy under President Cleveland, left his footprints on the sands of time.
 It was in 1894 that I first, as young man, begun to know and greatly respect Colonel Herbert. It was then that one incident, perhaps more than any other one in my life, was fixed upon my memory.
 In the early part of 1894 young man from the south, whose family had long been intimate with Colonel Herbert de- sired to secure an appointment in the office of the Secretary of the Navy. Learning that this appointment was soon to be made he borrowed sufficient funds | from his trusting friends to make the trip to Washington. Arriving here he called upon Colonel Herbert and after talk returned to his home under the m- pression that he would get the place, be- ing told that he would receive a letter within few days. To his sorrow he die receive this letter, but it was not the kind he expected. The place was, for certain reasons, to go to some one else. That did not suit this young south erner who was destined to rise in the world, so he came right back to Wash | ington on more borrowed money and again saw the secretary and unburdened his heart. The Alabama man was not ore to throw young man down. He said: Well, can't give you this place. but I'll tell you what will do. There 1 is to be an examination soon to select assistant paymasters for the navy and l I will designate you to stand them. If l you pass successfully you may be an l admiral some day.
 1 That was all this young man from the south wanted-the chance. He stood the ina mo | rema ined first ever since that time. | Many times since this incident Colonel | Herbert meeting the man who was turned down for clerks place and who sue cessfully stood the paymaster's examina- 1 tion subsequently, to become a rear ad- miral with a brilliant career. said; Well, VI knew when I did not give you that place years ago, which would have paid you about s200o or less. that you would
 rise to greater things. You are now a
 reay admiral serving your country With l honor and distinction Had you been given the clerks place years ago you would probably be one now and your great value to your country would never have been demonstrated.
 1 The friendship which thus began so long ago continued until Colonel Her berts death. Another incident showing the democracy
 of Colonel Herberts life came to light
 later
 | When the Confederate monument was
 placed in Arlington national cemetery
 called upon Colonel Herbert. whos had
 labored many long years to see this ac- lconplished. to secure information for ad-
 vance stories for papers was repre- isenting I Knew that he of all men ha, more valuable historic data about The nonumenty the purposes and aspirations
 of those who had worked for 1t. thar
 couid get elsewhere.
 This kindly genial and courteous south ern gentleman received me cordially, ant
 after calling me by my first name ans
 asking me what my fathers name was
 in order to properly place me, asked ms
 back into his library. resplende,t witt
 historic records and relics of fornrsr days
 of the Confederacy. There were hooks
 and countless manuscripts of untolt
 value, but most prized of all the unasses sable heap of Information stored ava,
 in his wonderful mind He asked me i
 | smoked. and when I said l did no l care for anything, he made kindly re mark that that was good thing, a
 most young men began this habit mucl
 too early in life for their good.