The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-28
M E N w Q M E N
 A ND T H N G s

there from the four quarters of the state to renew friendships and to en- joy the fellowship which comes from the classic shades of their alma mater.
 Time was when it was held that the political policies and political states were formed and made during the few days in which the university was hold ing its closing exercises. I have in my time seen what I thought was a gathering df the clans to get ready for the fray
 While 1t is true that there were sev- eral gentlemen present, who made no effort to hide the fact that they were out after high state offices, yet so far as I could see they were taking things easy and semed more interested in just having a good time with the alum nj rather than worried about building up their political fences.
 Now, a commencement at the un- iversity without the genial presence of the Hon. ". W. Brandon. would be like the play of Hamlet with the mel ancholy Dane" left out; but this year while appearing on the stage for a brief while he made hurried exit to fill speaking engagement else- where, (Contenting himself with acting as marshal of the day he left before the alumni banquet was over.) | It was expected that the governor would be present to attend the trus- tees meeting. He arrived just after the alumni banquet had begun. He had on his fighting clothes, for when Judge Mayfield. the toastmaster, in his introduction, said something about the tax situation, he took hold of it and handled the opposition without gloves. There were some present who did not agree with him, but all felt that he was willing to give and take hard blows. Everybody respects a fighter. l knew that President Denny was a great educator, a trained diplomat Ian eloquent speaker, a successful ad- ministrator. but had never thought of | him as being a good business man. A man may be a great executive in a his own personal affairs. It has been the case that some secretaries of the treasury have managed the finances of Uncle Sam to his advantage, who could not finance themselves.
 was rather surprised when Judge Henry Foster at dinner, said to me. Barnett, Denny is one of the best business men we have in Tuscaloosa. Hes sknows how to take care of the uni- versity and himself" I was glad to hear it for it seems to be almost universal idea that college president is only fit for the halls of learning comes to taking care of himself in the business world.
 | My friend c. S. Mcdowell, a Bar bour county product. and reared in my home town of Eufaula, and coming from the third division" of Alabama, is not ashamed to let it be known that he wants to be the next lieutenant 
 governor. He was called on to speak at the Alumni banquet, and made a fine impression in short address. in which he pledged himself in service to the university and the other schools and colleges in the state. It's an off year in politics when "old Barbour" fails to have a "favorite son" in the running. and they have had way of winning out.
 I was glad to hear the eulogy which Judge Mayfield paid to Judge Henry Clayton at the banquet. as I read law under him and learned to know his ability as a lawyer, his devotion as a son, his loyalty as a brother and his worth as servant of the people in Congress Some men achieve fame and position by accident or through pull, but the man of whom I am writing won his way strictly on merit. It was joy to have a chance to see quite a good deal of him and talk over old times.
 But now I want to quit politics and statesmen and speak of noted cburchman, for I got to hear that real ly wonderful address of Bishop War ren A. Candler, man who would have made a name for himself in any pro- fession which may have called him. He is an ecclesiastical statesman, power not only in Southern Methodism, but a genuine force in the religious life of the south But more than this. when the eloquence of his sermons will have been forgotten, and his work as bishop be almost forgotten. he will live in the great educational institution of Emory college and in thousands Of hearts who look back to it as their alma mater
 | have only singled out Few of the men in the public eye, who were pres ent at the commencement. To give paragraph to all of them would be to write Who's Who" of Alabama. It is comfort. however, to know that in my native state are so many men Of ability and character to bear the bur dens of the state and make it known far and wide as a chosen spot in which to live and die
 e3parluMa9an<N BENIGHTIID CONGRESS