The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-16
FEELING TRIBUTE
PAID To COVE RNOR
k|LBY IN LETTER
Bishop C. M. BeckWith Pens
Remarkable Missive in APP
probation of Friends
Record
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU /
THE AGE-HERALD !
Mnpf~a.,,arx- Al. To, tk

AS the time drew near for Gov.
Thomas L. Kilby to lay aside the re-
sponsibilities of his office, he re-
ceived remarkable letter, a letter
which has been pronounced a literary
gem by the few who have been privi-
legged to read it. 1t came from the
pen of Bishop C. NJ. Beckwith of tae
was written by man to man and by
friend to friend without the thought
that the eyes of the passing throng
would ever be cast upon it. But the
tanned and it Is reproduced.
The bishops letter follows:
"The day on which you lay aside
the responsibilities of your high Of
flee draws near. The thought of the
many pushes forward to the man in
coming l am thinking of the man
outgoing. pebble dropped in the
waters-a moment ripple the waters
come together, and the pebble is for
gotten. The more disturbed the
waters, the less the ripple made by
the dropping of the pebble. So is
man in official position.
bul lHdl dndlyZeT
of men and events, Will bring the
perspective.
1T may have been only because of
personal attachment; it may have
been for deeper interests in the well
being of the state and the people of
the state; it may have been because
of parallels between your duties.
your responsibilities, your obstacles,
placed in the way by ignorant and
! thoughtless men, and the like herit-
age that fell to me: whatever may
have been the causes or occasions, [
| have been with you in mind and
heart many timess when you knew
| 1t not. / have followed you, not as
a critic and fault finder. but as a
friend. / have wished you to be all
you were capable of being: and now
that your administration is drawing
to its close, l want you to know
something of my admiration, respect
and reverence for the man who has
placed duty above self-interest; and
who has faithfully used his office
for the good of the people who in
trusted him with honors.
| u was present at your Inaugural
tion and offered the prayer for God S
blessing on you and on your work.
l recall the address you made to the
people of the state.
you lay aside your armor unsul-
lied; shield untarnished, and your
faith well kept. Your administra-
ton has been rs clean as an honest
man could make it; your standard of
statescraft has been as high as self
conservation could devise; your wis
dom and painstaking care are writ
ten in your works. You may not at
this time receive the commentator
of the high and mighty, but the UNI
fortunate wards of the state, the inn
prisoned; the weak minded--they
| pie in the bonds of unity and broth
erly love. and with the song that
was heard DER Judean hills the night
our Savior was born, bursting in one
mighty chorus from the hearts OF
all our people. GLORY to God in the
Highest. Peace on Earth. Good VIII
to Men," we will march steadily and
unfalteringly on to the right heights
of our destiny as people Aand a
commonwealth. / assume the duties
in this presence as the governor OF
Alabama. -dr. Chief Justice. l am
ready now to take the oath of office