USA > Alabama > Alabama history > Part 17
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CHAPTER XXXI
ALABAMA IN POLITICS (1874-1908)
1874 to 1878
1. Governor Houston .- George Smith Houston, of Limestone, stands out prominently among the Demo- cratic governors of Alabama. He passed a long and distinguished career in public service. He spent eighteen years as repre- sentative in Congress, retiring in 1861, when Alabama seceded. Ile was a strong Union man and did not enter the Confederate army, but he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States, and he suffered much loss of George Smith Houston property at the hands of the Federals. Reform in politics and the reestablishment of honest meas- ures marked the four years of good government while he was in office.
The first thing that had to be attended to by Gov- ernor Houston was to provide a way to meet the heavy debt of the State made during "reconstruc- tion." The general assembly provided for the appointment of three debt commissioners with power
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to settle all claims against the State for bonds that had been issued. Governor Houston, Levi W. Lawler, and T. B. Bethea were appointed commissioners. They found the debt to be $30,037,563, much of it clearly unjust and due to the carelessness and greed of rascally legislators and officials. After a confer- ence between the bondholders and the commissioners, it was determined that the State justly owed a little more than $9,000,000: New bonds to this amount were accepted by the bondholders in full payment of their claims against the State.
A new State constitution was demanded, and dele- gates elected to frame it met in convention in Mont- gomery. This convention was composed of the most distinguished men of the State. The constitution which it framed was such a good one that it was con- tinued in force until the new constitution of 1901 went into effect.
While Governor Houston was in office, the salaries of public officers were lessened; the public school system was reestablished; laws were passed permit- ting the organization of companies for mining, manu- facturing, building railroads, and for doing other business; Federal troops were withdrawn from the State; the amount owed by the State to the Univer- sity was fixed at $300,000, with interest at 8 per cent; convicts were hired and made to bring a rev- enue to the State.
At the end of his second term Governor Houston was elected United States senator from Alabama, and died in that high office on December 31, 1879.
Sept. 6 to Oct. 7, 1875
Dec. 31, 1879
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1878 to 18S2
2. Governor Cobb .- Rufus W. Cobb, of Shelby, was elected without opposition from the Republi- cans. During his term of office taxes were reduced and their collection was made easier; schools were improved; Mobile, burdened by the debts of "recon- struction," was deprived of its city charter, and a committee was appointed by the governor to wind up its debt; Congress was requested by the legisla- ture to remove the 10 per cent tax on State banks, to establish a national quarantine, and to check the abuse of power by United States officials who tried to collect fees for which there was no law; the rail- 'road commission was created with Captain W. L. Bragg as president, and Captain James Crook and Colonel C. P. Ball as associate members.
1886 1882 to
3. Governor O'Neal .- The next governor of Ala- Alabama was General Edward Asbury O'Neal, a trained lawyer and a gallant officer who had led his regiments in the hot battles under Lee in Virginia and under Johnston in Georgia.
During his term of office, Congress granted forty- six thousand and eighty acres of land to the State University; normal schools for white teachers were opened in Livingston and Jacksonville; the State department of agriculture began its work under Commissioner Edward C. Betts, of Madison; many reforms in the treatment of convicts were begun; and the foundation for the monument to the memory April 29, of Confederate soldiers from Alabama was laid on 1886 Capitol Hill, in Montgomery, by Jefferson Davis.
1886 to 1890
4 .. Governor Seay .- Governor O'Neal was sue- ceeded in office by Thomas Seay, of Hale. Governor
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-
Seay was a thorough gentleman, a distinguished lawyer, and a successful business man. He possessed popular qualities that endeared him to all classes. He was an honor to the State and to his age.
During his term of office the Agricultural and Mechanical College burned; the Normal School at Troy was opened; the penitentiary convicts were leased to the Tennessee Coal and Iron Railroad Com- pany; the Institute for the Deaf was enlarged; the Academy for the Blind was established at Talladega; the Farmers' Alliance was organized; and the legis- lature appropriated $50,000 for disabled Confed- erate soldiers or their widows.
5. Convention of 1890 .- Probably the most ex- citing political convention of Democrats that has occurred since the War between the States was held in Montgomery in 1890. Joseph F. Johnston, Reuben F: Kolb, James Crook, William Richardson, and Thomas G. Jones, five able and popular candidates, were presented for governor. A heated canvass had brought a full number of delegates to Montgomery. Reuben F. Kolb had many more votes than any other candidate-almost enough to nominate him; but by combination of the delegates the nomination fell to Thomas G. Jones. He was duly elected over Benjamin M. Long, the nominee of the Republicans.
6. Rise of the Populist Party .- The delegates for Mr. Kolb believed the combination that brought about the nomination of Mr. Jones was an injustice to their candidate, and they felt a soreness which increased as the matter was discussed in their respective counties. As a result the Populist party
1890
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began to grow in numbers. Mr. Jones had been attorney for the Louisville and Nashville railroad. Many people were so prejudiced against railroads that during the campaign he was charged with being the candidate of the wealthy class and of having no sympathy for poor people. It was claimed by many that Mr. Kolb was the friend and champion of the poor and the leveller of the rich. These suppositions were unreasonable and unfair to both the gentlemen concerned.
Two years later Mr. Kolb was the Populist nomi- nee for governor, and Governor Jones the Demo- cratic. Both parties claimed the victory of election, but the Democrats held the office.
1890 to
1894
7. Governor Jones .- Governor Jones was a gen- tleman "to the manner born," whose uprightness in peace and gallantry in war commended him to esteem. His two terms embraced a period of great business troubles and labor strikes, and yet he suc- cessfully guarded and preserved the State's interests and credit through the trying period of financial panic.
The State was divided into nine congressional dis- tricts; agricultural schools were established at Ever- green and Athens, and provision was made for the Alabama Girls' Industrial School.
1894 to 1896
8. Governor Oates .- William Calvin Oates, a man of strong personality, successful in business, far- seeing, practical, able, and popular, succeeded Gov- ernor Jones in office. He was the Democratic nominee over Joseph F. Johnston, and the people's choice over Reuben F. Kolb.
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During his term business was so dull and money so scarce that the State lacked funds for paying expenses. It could not pay public school teachers as their salaries fell due. Northern banks refused loans to the governor because of the silver plank in the Democratic platform. The Alabama Girls' Indus- trial School was opened in Montevallo.
9. Governor Johnston .- In 1896, two distinguished Democrats were candidates for governor; the one, Joseph F. Johnston, of Jefferson, believed in having silver money as one of the standards of value in this country; the other, Richard H. Clarke, of Mobile, advocated the business wisdom of holding to gold as the only safe standard. Mr. Johnston won the nomi- nation and the governorship. His Populist opponent in the election was A. T. Goodwyn, a man of high moral character, pure in thought, noble in conduct, capable, and worthy of the confidence of his fellow- citizens; but his party was not strong enough to elect him. For his second term Governor Johnston defeated G. B. Deans, the Populist candidate.
Governor Johnston made his term noted by his appointment of public examiners of accounts, who have gone from county to county, balancing the books and accounts of public officials; by the appoint- ment of back tax commissioners to overlook the books of assessors and force higher valuation upon taxable properties given in too low by the owners; by securing a ten-thousand-dollar special annual appropriation for two years for the University; by economy in expenses; and by faithful efforts to increase the general prosperity,
189. to 190
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The legislature of 1898-99 provided for holding a convention to revise and amend the constitution of the State. Governor Johnston approved the bill, but afterwards called a special session of the legislature and had the act repealed.
1898
The Spanish-American War occurred during his second term of office. This war gave proof of the patriotism of the South. It showed that, although cherishing the history of the Confederate States, the Southern people place all hope of national power in a united country. Many Alabama troops responded for service.
10. Richmond Pearson Hobson .- The most daring deed of that war was performed by a native Alabamian, Richmond Pearson Hobson. When Admiral Sampson dis- closed his purpose to "bottle up" the Span- ish fleet in Santiago 200 Bay, Lieutenant Hobson planned to take the coal ship Merrimac into the channel-entrance to the bay and sink it so as to obstruct the only way by which the Spanish Richmond Pearson Hobson ships could come out. Seven gallant subordinates volunteered to aid him in carrying out his plan.
Tune 3, 1898
It was June 3, 1898, when the wires flashed over the world the news of the sinking of the Merrimac,
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and the heroism that had braved the guns of Morro Castle, the mines of torpedoes, and the flanking bat- teries along the channel to the entrance of Santiago Bay. Hobson and his companions supposed them- selves going to certain death. As the Merrimac advanced into the desired position it was blown up by the heroes aboard; shells burst all around it, and shot penetrated its sides as it drifted before sinking. The men grasped a raft-boat as the Merrimac sank, and clung to it until the next morning, when the Spanish commander, Admiral Cervera, passed near in a steam launch and took them all aboard. They were imprisoned, suffered hardships, and underwent dangers, being shut up in a fort under bombardment from the United States navy; but not one of them was wounded, and on July 6, at the surrender of Santiago, they were exchanged.
Upon his release Lieutenant Hobson raised the Maria Theresa, one of the wrecked Spanish vessels; but this splendid trophy was abandoned and lost in a storm while it was being towed to the United States.
After the Spanish-American War he resigned from the navy, with the rank of captain, and entered politics. In the primary election of 1906 he defeated John H. Bankhead for nomination to represent the sixth district in Congress.
Captain Hobson's home is at Magnolia Grove in Greensboro, Alabama. There he was born on August 17, 1870, and there he prepared for the Naval Academy at Annapolis, where he was graduated with "first honor" in 1889.
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1900 to 1901
11. Governor Samford .- The main issue in the political campaign of 1900 was the question of calling a convention to draft a new constitution for the State. William J. Sam- ford, of Lee county, won the Democratic nomina- tion over Charles M. Shel- ley, John W. Tomlinson, Jesse F. Stallings, and Charles E. Waller. In the general election following, he overwhelmingly de - feated Dr. G. B. Crowe, William J. Samford Populist, and John A. Steele, Republican.
Mr. Samford was a big-brained, big-hearted, well- educated Southern gentleman. Possessing the strong qualities of his gifted father, William F. Samford, he won the confidence and admiration of his fellowinen. He was a profound lawyer, a devout Methodist, and a strong leader of men. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1875, and had served in both houses of the general assem- bly and in Congress.
Dec. 1, 1900
Mr. Samford's term was to begin on December 1, 1900, but he was so ill at that time that he could not appear in Montgomery to take the oath of office in the presence of the two houses of the general assembly. By special courtesy of the lawmaking body it was arranged that he could take the oath in his sick room in his home at Opelika. William
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Dorsey Jelks, president of the senate, became tem- porary governor by provision of the constitution of the State. Governor Samford took charge of his office on December 26, though physically unable to Dec. 20, stand the strain of the heavy duties. The public ap- 1300 proved his few official acts. He died at Tuskaloosa on June 11, 1901. Mr. Jelks succeeded him in office. June 11
The general assembly enacted laws for the regula- tion of child labor in factories, better treatment of convicts, better protection of prisoners, larger appro- priations for schools and Confederate veterans, and the creation of the department of archives and his- tory. It refused to confirm the sales of the Univer- sity lands, which had been made with the approval of Governor Johnston. The buildings and lands at Mount Vernon, which had been granted to the State by Congress, were set aside as a hospital for insane negroes.
12. Constitutional Convention .- "An act to pro- vide for holding a convention to revise and amend the constitution of this State" was passed by the general assembly and was approved by acting-gov- ernor Jelks on December 11, 1900. The act further provided that the question of calling a convention and the selection of delegates to it be submitted to a vote of the people. A majority favored the call and the delegates were elected. The convention was composed of one hundred and sixty-five members, many of them the most distinguished men of the State. All but thirteen of them were Democrats. Jonh B. Knox, a distinguished lawyer of Anniston, was chosen to preside over the convention.
1901
May 21 10 Sept. 3 1901
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After the constitution* had been framed, it was submitted to the people. The records of election returns gave a majority of votes in favor of ratify- ing it. By proclamation of the governor, it went into effect on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 1901.
Nov. 28, 1901
13. Railroad Methods Unsatisfactory .- People were beginning to believe that freight rates in Ala- bama were higher than in Georgia, Mississippi, Ten- nessee, and other Southern States. The methods of railroads in handling freights and their delay in settling claims had produced widespread discontent. The railroad commission, established in 1881, had got together much valuable information upon com- merce and industries. Its history showed that its members were among the best men of the State. They had failed, however, to bring about reform in railroad methods. Many people came to the conclu- sion that this failure was in large measure due to the
*Under the new constitution the requirements for voting are such as to virtually exclude the masses of negroes from taking part in elections; the limit of tax assessments is fixed at six and a half mills on the dollar, three mills of which are appor- tioned to public schools; counties are permitted to levy a special county tax of one mill for school purposes; the office of lieu- tenant-governor was created; provision is made for election of circuit solicitors by the people, and for holding sessions of the legislature every four years; a State executive officer is for- bidden to be his own successor; restrictions are placed upon local legislation; and the lawmaking power is vested in a legislature.
Before this time elections were every two years, the law- making power was vested in a general assembly, which met every two years, and circuit solicitors were elected by the two houses of the general assembly in joint session.
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facts that the members of the commission were, appointed by the governor, and that the many cour- tesies shown to the commissioners by railroad officials made them favorable to railroad interests.
As a result of this dissatisfaction, a number of business men met in Birmingham in 1901 and organ- ized "The Shippers and Buyers Mutual Aid Asso- ciation of Alabama." In 1902, at the suggestion of Mr. Braxton Bragg Comer, this name was changed to "The Farmers, Merchants and Laborers Associa- tion of Alabama." This organization worked hard to elect as legislators men who were favorable to having the members of the railroad commission chosen by the people, and who would give the com- mission authority to compel railroads to reform their rates and make prompt settlement of claims. The railroad officials denied the charges against their methods of doing business. They also denied the right of the State to interfere with freight rates or dictate the way in which railroads should be run. They supported candidates for the legislature who were thought to be friendly to their interests.
14. Governor Jelks .- Governor Jelks and ex-Gov- ernor Joseph F. Johnston sought nomination for governor in the Democratic primary election of 1902. Governor Johnston had opposed the calling of the constitutional convention and had thereby acted against the wishes of a majority of the voters. Governor Jelks was nominated, and he was elected over John A. W. Smith, Republican.
The legislature of 1903 enacted a law for the elec- tion every four years of railroad commissioners
1902
1902
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by a vote of the people, the first election to be held in November, 1904. The commission was given the power to supervise all railroads in the State; to demand reports from them; to revise tariffs; to hear and determine complaints; to bring suits, and other- wise compel the railroads to give satisfactory ser- vice. The governor approved this bill.
Feb. 28, 1903
Oct. 1, 1903
In the second term of this session of the legisla- ture, an amended bill changed the date of the elec- tion of two members of the railroad commission from November, 1904, to November, 1906. The effect of this amendment was to continue in office for two years longer the associate railroad commissioners, William T. Sanders and Wiley C. Tunstall, who had been appointed by the governor.
The legislature also enacted laws for establishing a summer school for teachers in the University, for increasing the annual pay to old Confederate sol- diers, and for founding an old soldiers' home at Mountain Creek. It appropriated $150,000 for im- proving and enlarging the capitol, and provided liberally for normal and industrial schools. It gave power to the board of convict inspectors to work convicts in mines acquired by the State, or to hire them to mine owners.
15. Railroad Commission .- In 1904, Mr. B. B. Comer and John V. Smith were candidates for presi- dent of the railroad commission. Mr. Smith was president of the railroad commission by appointment of the governor, and he had a fine record for party service. The campaign was one of the bitterest in the political history of the State. Mr. Smith pleaded
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for public confidence in the judgment and fair-mind- edness of the directors of the railroads. He was very popular, and many people believed that his attitude towards railroads was right. Mr. Comer had long been the champion of rate reform. He used his wonderful knowledge of the details of rail- road business to convince the people that he was fighting for them against the abuse of power granted in licenses to railroads. Mr. Comer was elected and took the oath of office on March 9, 1905.
In April, 1905, the railroad commission met to dis- cuss the rates on fertilizers. By the action of the associate members, the whole question of freight rates was opened and discussed by the commis- sioners and by railroad officials who were present. Through this discussion Mr. Comer made the public understand that he was not only well informed about railroads but thoroughly convinced that ship- pers were not being treated justly. He was earnest in his purpose to secure to Alabama as low rates as were given to Georgia and other Southern States. His useless appeal to the governor for the help of a lawyer brought him into closer sympathy with the people of the State.
The sessions of the railroad commission did not reform railroad rates nor change their business methods. The railroads declared that the commis- sion had no right to force them to do anything. They claimed that the constitution had given to the legislature, and not to the commission, the power to "regulate railroad freight and passenger tariffs." In his efforts to enforce the laws passed by the legis-
1905
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lature, President Comer was resisted in many ways by the associate members of the commission.
16. Election of 1906 .- On account of bad health Governor Jelks was absent from the State for nearly a year. In his absence the office of governor was filled by Lieutenant Governor Cunningham, who had won success as a doctor and business man. Dr. Cun- ningham's long service in public life had endeared him to hosts of friends who wished to have him suc- · ceed to the governorship. In 1906, he and Mr. B. B. Comer were candidates for nomination for that office.
As Dr. Cunningham was a finished orator, his friends thought that his ease of manner and grace of speech would lend such a charm to his polities as to insure his success in the election. These friends also thought that the policies of Mr. Comer would be made to appear extreme because of his positive manner and rugged speech, and that he would cer- tainly be defeated. Mr. Comer, however, proved a good campaign speaker and added to the popularity that he had won as railroad commissioner. He was nominated over Dr. Cunningham by a majority of more than twenty thousand votes. In the November election he defeated Asa E. Stratton, Republican, by more than fifty thousand majority.
17. Senators Morgan and Pettus .- The State Democratic committee nominated General John Tyler Morgan and General Edmund Winston Pettus to be their own successors in the senate of the United States. Although the people wished these aged and beloved senators to be returned to their seats in Con- gress, many disapproved of the action of the com-
1906
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mittee in nominating them, claiming that the com- mittee acted without authority. Presuming that Senators Morgan and Pettus would die before their term of office ended, the committee also arranged for the nomination of two alternate senators to succeed them. Hon. John HI. Bankhead and Ex-Governor Joseph F. Johnston were the choice of the people in this election.
The legislature reelected Senators Morgan and Jan. 23, Pettus on January 23, 1907. General Morgan, the 1907 senior senator from Alabama and one of the most distinguished of American statesmen, died in Washington in June 11, 1907 the following summer. General Pettus, the other distinguished senator from this State, died soon afterward at July 27, Hot Springs, North 1907 Carolina. Both were Braxton Bragg Comer buried in Live Oak Cemetery in Sehna.
13. Governor Comer .- A legislature in sympathy with Mr. Comer was elected. In accepting the office of governor, he made an address which was direct, strong, and full of patriotic pride for the advance- ment of Alabama interests. Among other things, he urged the regulation of railroad rates, liberal support of schools, generous care of the old Con- federate soldiers, the creation of a tax commission
Jan. 11, 1907.
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board to equalize taxes, and the passage of a law to regulate child labor. He also recommended that the laws be worded carefully, so that there could be no doubt about their meaning.
All of these matters received favorable considera- tion from the legislature. The railroad commission bill enlarged the powers of the commission. It was supported by other bills looking to the just control of railroad business in the State. " Tax laws and increased appropriations added nearly a million dollars annually to the support of the public schools. Among these appropriations was $300,000 for the common schools for the year 1907-8, and $350,000 for every year thereafter. The old Confederates were liberally remembered.
The large sums given to the schools of the State have aroused the people as never before to the importance of giving their children the best educa- tional training. To provide such training for pupils who have finished the common school course, a bill to establish a system of county high schools was passed by the legislature. The passage of this law marks a distinct advance in the school system of the State.
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