The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-10-15
FRANK s. WHITE

FRANK 5. WHITE Frank s. White was born near Macon. Miss. in the year 1s47. He was a private in the First Missis- sippt cavalry in the Civil war. waB captured by tho enemy st the battle of Selma but escaped and returned to his command.
 After the war, with only . meager education, but possessed of an in- domitable will, he began the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1888 and started his career as a lawyer at West Point, Miss He was elected to the legislature of that state in the year 1875. when he was only 2S years of ago As a member of that body, he was made chairman of the committee to investigate the conduct of the carpet-bag lieutenant governor and as chairman Of the committee of managers to conduct the subsequent impeachment proceed ings against that official. he pro- cured his conviction and removal from office. He aided, also, in the prosecution of Governor Ames and other officials of the carpet-bag regime. He was member of the legislature of that state again in 1SS2-3.
 It may be easily understood, there fore, that he was a notable and out- standing figure as well AS 6 success ful lawyer in his native state at the time of his removal to Birmingham in tho year 1S86. In his new home he quickly made his impress and rapidly rose to the height of his profess sion. In a comparatively short time he came to be recognized as one of our most skillful and successful trial lawyers and the volume of his prac- tice was as great, perhaps, as that of any member of the Birmingham bar. But his activities were not con fined to the law. The people of his adopted state recognized his ability and believed in his courage and sin cerity of purpose and they called him to many places of honor and em- thence, Tn 1899 ha was nominated as a delegate from Jefferson county to tho constitutional convention, which was never held because of the repeal of the act calling 1t. He was chair man of the democratic state commit tee in 1909-f0. president of tho state bar association in 1912-13. delegate from the state at large to the dem ocratio national convention held at Kansas City, chairman of the dem- ocratic state convention in the year 1900 and member of the constitu- tional convention of 1901. in which body he was a member of tho com mittee on suffrage and helped to frame the system of laws under which the ballot was taken away from tho ignorant and vicious and committed to an intelligent elector- ate. In 1914 he was nominated and elected to the United States Senate to fill out the unexpired term of Sem ator Johnston. and was the first United States Senator to be elected in Alabama by 8 direct vote of the people.
 He was q man of tho people. Ills sympathies were with the masses and not the classes He did not "crook the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift might follow fawning," but neither did he seek public favor by demagogic arts. He was sound and conservative in his political think ing and never bowed down to false gods nor embraced heretical views of governmental policy.
 He revered the law and made no compromise with those who would subvert and undermine it whether by open or secret practices. Because he was honest he was fearless. When he had taken . position which he believed to bo right, ho know no such word as retreat. If he fell in any contest he fell with his face to the foe.
 As . citizen. also. in tho private walks of life, he stood for temper ance and sobriety. for honesty and decency and for all those things which mako for the betterment of society. He had gracious person. ality with q keen and lively sense of humor which made him charming companion. and so he drew men to him by these graces of mind and manner as well as by reason of those sterner qualities of determination and courage. Of him 1t may be truly said that tho clements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, This was a man"
 His commanding presence Is no longer before us, his voioe. which we have 90 often heard. Is forever stilled. but the memory of his virtues endure and the good influence set in motion by his lifo shall go on un- til time itself shall be no moro.
 Therefore, be it resolved. by the Bar of Birmingham in meeting as- sembled:
 l. That in the death of Frank 8. White the bar has lost . distin- guishsd member who was eonspic- uous for his ability. his zeal. his courage and his devotion to the high ideals of his profession.
 2. That he served his country we'll in public station and in private life, having tho answer of . good con- science and the satisfaction of duty well performed.
 8. That we shall hold his many virtues and splendid traits of char acter in loving memory and seek to emulate them In our own lives.
 {. That a copy of the foregoing memorial and these resolutions be sent to the family of our deceased brother and that another copy be presented to the circuit court of Jef- ferson county with the request that they be spread upon the minutes of the court and that a copy be given to the daily press.
 E. H. CABANISS,
 Chairman.
 JAMES wEATHERLY.
 A. M. SMITH.
 E. c. CROW,
 JOHN C. CARMICHAEL,