USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 45
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JOHN GILL SHORTER, of Barbour, was returned to the Senate this year, and contributed no little, by his attention and knowl- edge, to the dispatch of business. His minority reports from com- mittee show clearly the independence and individuality of his opinions of public policy upon the subjects considered, and readi- ness to follow his convictions, though it separate him from his fellow-members. This was Mr. Shorter's first connection with the Legislature, when quite a young man. We shall see him again in the progress of this work, and notice him more fully from an advanced position.
SOLOMON C. SMITH, of DeKalb, was first a member of the House in 1837, the first time that county had a Representative, and was again elected in 1838, In 1839, he was returned to the
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Senate from Cherokee and DeKalb. He was a decided Demo- crat, and voted, in 1840, for the General Ticket bill, which caused his defeat by Judge Foster in 1841. In 1844, he had recovered his position in the Senate, and was reelected in 1845. In the Fall of 1846 he died.
Mr. Smith was a sharp, intelligent, managing man. He pos- sessed the faculty of concealing his plans and purposes from others, and by that means, with fair resources naturally, he ac- complished a good deal. He was at all times attentive to the interests of his constituents, and contributed no little, by his leg- islative course, to the early settlement of that newly acquired section. His plans were so well laid that he generally succeeded in business. His habits were good, and altogether he was a man of fair character. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
BELOVED L. TURNER was elected in 1845, as the successor of G. W. Creagh, from the District composed of Washington and Clarke counties. He had been several years in the House, and with occasional intermissions, was in public life for near twenty years.
Mr. Turner was quiet and unpretending, but watchful and vig- ilant, and generally knew as well how he was voting as any of his peers. His person was well set, with black eyes and dark com- plexion, and physically he was evey inch a man. . But I saw him light with his match once. At the burning of the Capitol, he was a member, and no man took a more active part in saving the pub- lic property. Everything of a light value was taken out of the Secretary of State's office but the old State seal, with its heavy fixtures of arms, and large lead balls-the whole weighing nearly five hundred pounds. Mr. Turner asked me if I wanted that taken out, and being answered affirmatively, he called a negro to assist, and told him to get under one of the arms, while he got under the other. The negro was the tallest, and the two straight- ened with the load upon their shoulders, and started for the door. I saw at once the advantage the negro had over Mr. Turner in height, but he told the negro to go ahead, and they cleared the door with the State seal. But the muscular strength of one man was well tested that day, to a degree seldom taxed, if one was to judge from the twisting and writhing of the man. While I re- mained in the office of Secretary of State, I never knew Mr. Tur- ner come into it afterward without stopping just outside the door, and taking a good look at the old seal and its heavy fixtures, in deep thought, in which recollection appeared to be busy; and once or twice he remarked, half-way to himself, "That is the heaviest load I ever attempted to carry." He is a Democrat under the old party organization, true as steel.
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CHAPTER XXV.
Session of 1845 Continued-Sketches of the House.
THOMAS K. BECK, of Wilcox, concluded a service of two years in the House. He was a gentleman of respectable general intel- ligence, and a planter. He was a Democrat, and occupied a good position with the party. In the House, he was an efficient work- ing member, but seldom shared in discussion on the floor, though he possessed the gift of speech in a high degree upon the stump, where, it is said, he often addressed the people with considerable effect. He was a nephew of the Hon. William R. King. Mr. Beck showed signs of decline in his health before he retired from the Legislature, but lived some years thereafter.
BENAJAH S. BIBB, of Montgomery, was born in Elbert county, Georgia, in the year 1796, and in 1819 he married Miss Sophia Gilmer, a sister of Gov. Gilmer. In January, 1822, he removed to Alabama, and settled as a planter in Montgomery county.
His public employments began in 1825, when he was elected by the Legislature Judge of the County and Orphan's Court of Montgomery county, which office he resigned in 1827, when he removed to Morgan county, and, in 1828, was elected a Repre- sentative in the Legislature from that county. In the Fall of 1829, he returned to Montgomery, and, in 1832, was elected Judge of the County Court. In 1833, he was returned to the Senate, and, in 1834, he was again elected County Judge, in which office he served until 1844, making twelve successive years.
The citizens of Montgomery county desiring to change the Seat of Government from Tuskaloosa to the city of Montgomery, by common consent elected Judge Bibb to the House, in 1845, that his influence might be exerted in support of that measure. The suc- cess that attended the movement may be seen in another chapter of this work. In 1847, he again represented the county in the Legislature, which then held its first session in the new Capitol at Montgomery. In 1851, he was a candidate, openly avowed in favor of the Compromise Measures of Congress of the previous year, and was elected to the Senate by a large majority.
Judge Bibb was an old-line Whig, supporting Gen. Harrison in 1840, and Mr. Clay in 1844, for the Presidency, and Bell and Everett, the Union candidates for President and Vice-President
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in 1860. He was opposed to secession; but, after the passage of the Ordinance in 1861, he went with the State heartily in support of the war.
In 1864, he was elected Judge of the Criminal Court for the city and county of Montgomery, which he regarded as the great- est compliment of his life, over two highly respectable competitors. He has never been defeated in any election before the people of the county.
In 1865, Judge Bibb was deposed from the Judgeship of the Criminal Court, by Gov. Smith, and many others were also de- posed who had taken an active part in support of the South during the war. He was and is opposed to the Reconstruction acts of Congress, and to Radicalism in general; and no one rejoiced more at what he considered the triumph of virtue and intelligence at the November elections, of 1870, in Alabama, over ignorance and folly.
From 1825 to 1865, a period of forty years, Judge Bibb has been in public life, with very slight intermission. It is a proud record-and intelligence, patriotism and fidelity combined in his character to justify the confidence reposed in him. His brother, the Hon. William Wyatt Bibb, was a Senator in Congress from Georgia in 1813, in place of Hon. William H. Crawford, who had been appointed Minister to France by President Madison. After- ward, Senator Bibb removed to the Alabama Territory, and was elected the first Governor of the State in 1819. He died in office in 1821, and his brother Thomas Bibb, of Limestone, then Presi- dent of the Senate, succeeded him in discharging the functions of the Executive office-perhaps the only instance known where two brothers stood in this relation to the people.
The Bibb and Gilmer connections probably represent a greater amount of wealth and solid substance than any other in the State. The personal influence of Judge Bibb, founded on his virtues and on his elevated worth in all the relations of life, public and pri- vate, is not surpassed by that of any man in the community. He is a leading and picus member of the Methodist Protestant Church in Montgomery where he resides, at a venerable age, universally honored and beloved.
WILLIAM P. BROWNE, of Mobile, was returned in 1845, his only session, and was a well-informed and useful member of the House. A young bachelor, he that winter made the acquaintance of a young lady of Shelby county, whom he soon married, and then became a citizen of that county. He engaged extensively in the Iron and Coal business, and no doubt overtasked his phys- ical and mental faculties in the eager pursuit of his enterprise, as his health and strength gave way under the pressure. I met with
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him in 1866 on the Selma and Dalton Railroad, and could scarcely realize the change that had come over his physical condition; but he retained the elasticity of mind of former years, so far as his failing strength would allow. He died a year or two thereafter. Mr. Browne was a Democrat, and a man of strong will and reso- lution in following his convictions of duty and interest.
AARON B. COOPER, of Monroe, was by birth a Northern man, and probably from the State of New Jersey. He was an early settler in Alabama, and had served many sessions in the Legisla- ture previous to 1845. As a lawyer he had an established repu- tation for learning and ability, and for a number of years was the partner of Gen. Enoch Parsons, who was the candidate in 1835 of the Whig party in opposition to Gov. Clay, for the State Exec- utive. Ready in debate, calm, logical, and with ripe scholarship to adorn his arguments, Mr. Cooper justly ranked with the fore- most members of the House. He well understood first princi- ples, and could detect at a glance the bearing of any measure, in its application to the affairs of men. His delivery was pleasant, and his matter solid and instructive. He never dealt in puerile or commonplace observations, as his mind was sufficiently original and his stores of information so extensive, that he always had a fund of his own upon which to draw fresh and beautiful thoughts. As a legislator, his capacity was of a high order, and nothing escaped his attention in the proceedings of the House. Even the unguarded phraseology of a bill or resolution received the cour- tesies of his pruning knife.
Being a widower, Mr. Cooper, after the session of 1845, married Mrs. Creagh, of Wilcox, the widow of Judge John G. Creagh, and changed his residence to that county. In 1847, he was re- elected to the House and was made chairman of the Judiciary Committee, a place for which he was well qualified. In 1865, he was a delegate to the Convention called to reorganize the State, after the war, and to form a Constitution. Soon thereafter he was elected to the Senate from Wilcox and Dallas. I had the pleas- ure of serving with him in that body through two long, laborious sessions, and served on committee with him. There I learned to appreciate his intelligence and familiarity with the business of legislation, and especially the uprightness of his character. Al- though considerably advanced in years, Mr. Cooper retains the vigor of his intellect. Taken altogether, in the different relations of life, as a jurist, advocate, legislator, and member of society, but few men have acted their part with equal efficiency and success. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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ISHAM W. GARROTT, of Perry, was elected to the House, in 1845, on a divided ticket with A. B. Moore, a political antagonist. He was from North Carolina, where he was educated in the law, and, a few years previous to his election, had settled in Marion, to pursue his profession. A gentleman of his mental endowments and spirited character could not be long in a community without being noticed. He was a Whig, and was ready at all times to give a reason for his political faith. He was fiery in his tempera- ment, and bold and fearless in his political assaults. Few men in the Legislature carried more of mercury and bile in their organ- zation, especially in discussing party measures.
Mr. Garrott was again in the Legislature in 1847, where he con- tinued to exert the same intellectual superiority, and to indulge his nervous and excitable propensities. When addressing himself to a political adversary, he was somewhat overbearing in his man- ner; but it was the result of temperament, and not malice.
In the political movements of 1860, Mr. Garrott took a very active part, and was on the Breckinridge Electoral Ticket. After the war commenced, he entered the service, and, I believe, com- manded a regiment, when he was killed, in one of the battles near Vicksburg. Had he survived the war, his life no doubt would have been a burden to him, in view of the oppression, disfran- chisement, and indignities visited upon the Southern people, by the revengeful conquering party, and his death was, therefore, a blessing rather than a misfortune, so far as he was personally con- cerned. The same remark may be as truly applied to thousands of brave Southern heroes and patriots who perished in battle, in the attempt to defend their country from fanatical aggression and insult. Their memories will ever be dear to all Southern hearts.
GEORGE W. GAYLE, of Dallas, had served previously as a member of the House, and in 1845 was elected by the people, mainly with the view of having his influence in the Legislature on the removal question, as Selma put forth claims for the new Seat of Government. That he failed in this enterprise was owing to no lack of zeal or effort on his part to accomplish the object. Mr. Gayle was well qualified, by his urbanity in approaching men, and in advocating any particular measure, to fulfill any mission or trust confided to him in the Legislature.
At this session, he aspired to the Speakership, without success, and was made Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, a position of more responsibility than any other in the House. His reports were ably prepared, and well supported on the floor. A skillful lawyer, well acquainted with the forms of proceeding, he was at all times a prominent man in any deliberative body in which he took part, whether in the Legislature or in political con-
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ventions. In fact, he was very sagacious, and self-reliant, so much so that he generally brought forward any measure, and advanced any opinion that suited him, without consultation with others. In this respect he was sometimes prudent, and sometimes rash. Of the latter disposition, a noted example may suffice. While the war was raging, and the Southern people were straining every nerve to support the cause, Mr. Gayle, believing that President Lincoln was the author of all this mischief and suffering, offered a reward of one million dollars in Confederate money to any per- son who would destroy the monster, as he considered him, and thus put an end to the frightful atrocities committed through his influence. It was a mere fancy, intended to convey his opinion of the man, without the least idea or expectation that any person would attempt to execute such a daring and hazardous deed. Sev- eral years thereafter, Mr. Lincoln was assassinated by a Northern tragedian, who acted the part of Brutus at Ford's Theatre in Washington, from his own impulses, without ever having seen or heard of the published offer of Mr. Gayle. But in the course of time, after the Southern people were subjugated, and placed at the mercy of District Commanders, with bayonet in hand to pun- ish disloyalty, Mr. Gayle was arrested on the charge of conspiracy to assassinate the President. The proceeding against him was simply ridiculous, and after some military bluster, and talk of a Court-Martial, he was discharged without a trial.
In early life, Mr. Gayle married Miss Kornegay, a niece of Hon. William R. King, and thus added to his influence and pros- pects by the strong family connection. President Jackson ap- pointed him United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. His brother, Billups Gayle, Esq., was for a long time Cashier of the Branch Bank at Mobile, and gave him the benefit of his patronage.
After serving through the session of 1845, Mr. Gayle retired from public life; but has since frequently been in Conventions of the Democratic party, generally as a leader in settling platforms, and in engineering a particular policy through the necessary forms of indorsement. He is a gentleman of kind heart, and warmly social with his friends. He resides at Selma, the "Bluff City," and probably unites the two characters of lawyer and planter with fair success.
ยท DR. JAMES GUILD, of Tuskaloosa, came to Alabama from Ten- nessee, and was a brother of Judge Joseph C. Guild, of Lawrence county in that State, a leading member of the bar, and a Demo- crat. In their political opinions, the two brothers coincided.
Dr. Guild had served in the Legislature several years before 1845, when he was elected to the House in place of the Hon.
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Lincoln Clark, who had resigned his seat on being appointed Judge of the Circuit Court. His solid talents and experience gave him a prominent rank among the business members, although he seldom shared in the discussions on the floor, restrained more by the modesty of his character, than any want of speaking capacity.
After settling in Tuskaloosa, when a young man, Dr. Guild married a daughter of Judge M. D. Williams, who was the can- didate for Governor in opposition to Gov. Bibb, in 1819, and received a very respectable popular vote.
With fine qualifications as a physician, Dr. Guild has had a large and successful practice throughout a long professional life. No man is more respected for his virtues, and honorable charac- ter. He still resides in Tuskaloosa, having long set a Christian example before his fellow-men, by connecting himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Advanced age has somewhat im- paired his faculties for usefulness.
Twenty years afterward, Dr. Guild joined in a report which had been referred to a Committee of the Senate, to be found on the Journal for 1865, page 114:
Mr. Foster, from the Committee on the Insane Asylum, to which was referred the aunual report of the Trustees of said institution, reported-
That no legislation on the subject could be of any practical value, because the State has no means on hand which can be applied to the use of that institution at this time. They recommend that the report be spread upon the Journal.
The report was concurred in.
ANNUAL REPORT.
To the Governor of the State of Alabama :
The Trustees of the Insane Hospital respectfully submit to your Excellency the following brief report :
There has been admitted in the Hospital, since its opening, in July, 1861, 177 patients :
.54 patients.
Discharged, cured. . 23 66
Discharged, improved.
Eloped. 38
6 66
Died .
Remaining under treatment 56
The Hospital has been ably managed by its resident officers, although its pro- gress has been much curtailed, and was completely arrested, by the inability of the State and county authorities to pay the board of the indigent patients. Since last January, no money has been received from any public source (Mobile county excepted), and the Trustees have been compelled to close the doors of the institu- tion against numbers of persons clamorous for admission, and even to dismiss such of the patients as could safely be returned to the delinquent counties. This will account for the large number of discharges, and the comparatively small number of patients at present under treatment.
An appropriation, contingent upon the sale of State bonds bearing six per cent. interest, to be held at not less than par, was made by the last Convention, and the present Legislature was instructed by that body to grant such additional aid as might become necessary to keep the institution in effectual operation. You need hardly be reminded that nothing has yet been accomplished, and the appropria- tion has not been realized.
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As your Excellency can testify, the Trustees have not failed, on every possible occasion, to present this important matter in its strongest light. In its capac- ity for usefulness, and in reputation, this Hospital is second to none In the South. It is free from debt not more than covered by credits, and if the latter were available, no special aid would now be required.
Impressed with a due sense of the great interests at State, both in a moral and pecuniary aspect, the Trustees feel, in view of the responsibility imposed upon them as Christian men and officers of the State, that they will have done their whole duty when they frankly declare that, unless the promised aid is promptly rendered, the functions of the institution must cease, and its helpless inmates driven from its doors into the streets of Tuskaloosa. Than such an issue, it were better the God-like instincts that prompted the enterprise had never been called into action.
We remain, very respectfully, REUBEN SEARCY, President, B. MANLY. JAMES GUILD,
Resident Trustees.
Tuskaloosa, Nov. 1865.
DR. J. H. HASTIE, of Baldwin, was a Whig of intelligence and large reading, not only in politics, but in the general literature of the day. Without attempting any particular display of his abili- ties upon the floor, he attended closely upon the sittings of the House, and watched its proceedings, so that he might be prepared to vote understandingly on all questions. His finely cultivated taste, and high position in the social circles of Mobile, brought him much in society at Tuskaloosa, where he was highly esteemed for his agreeable address, and gifts in conversation. He still resides in Baldwin county.
JOHN J. HOLLY, of Tallapoosa, was first a member of the House in 1838, and reelected in 1839. For a period of twenty years, with occasional intervals, he has served in the Legislature; in 1845, with his colleague, Dr. Kimball, and closing with the ses- sion of 1859-'60.
Mr. Holly was from Georgia, and was much attached to the legal forms of that State, such as Justices Courts, special juries, and the law as laid down in Prince's Digest. He was an apt scholar in learning the drift of legislation in Alabama, and soon made himself useful as a business member, without pretending to shine in de- bate, though he took the floor when necessary to explain any fa- vorite measure. He has had a long career of success before the people, and in his palmy days was accounted one of the best elec- tioneerer's in the State, in the rough and tumble line, although he seldom made a speech in form. But, turn him loose in a crowd of men, and if there was any laugh in them, it was sure to make itself heard. He was a Democrat.
CRAWFORD M. JACKSON, of Autauga, was a Brigadier-General of militia, and was a son of James Jackson, Esq., who came from
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Georgia to the Alabama Territory, and was a delegate to the Con- vention which formed the State Constitution in 1819. He was a brother of Absalom Jackson, Esq., a citizen and planter of merit, in Autauga county.
Gen. Jackson first served in the House in 1843, and again in 1844, 1845, 1855, and 1857. At the latter session he was unani- mously elected Speaker of the House, a position for which he was qualified by experience, and by his knowledge of parliamentary law. In his Legislative career he displayed a high order of intel- ligence, and he retired from public life with some distinction of character. He was a Democrat, firm in his opinions, yet always cautious and respectful to opponents. After he had maturely in- vestigated a principle, he adhered to his convictions.
With a good estate, and a bachelor, he devoted himself to mental culture, to general reading, and to occasional compositions for the press, in which his style was chaste and entertaining. As a neigh- bor, he was kind and obliging, and as a social companion, he was highly esteemed. He died suddenly, about the commencement of the war.
R. T. JOHNSTON, of Pickens, received his education at the Uni- versity, near which his father resided, in Tuskaloosa county. Set- tling in Pickens county in the practice of the law, he was soon elected to the House, and was a member, with occasional inter- missions of party ascendency for many years, in which he dis- played abilities of a respectable order. He took an active and intelligent part in the proceedings of the House, and in the coun- cils of his Whig friends. With a will and energy founded on conviction, he was resolute in the discharge of duty, and in the pursuit of his proper interest. He died in a few years after serv- ing through the session of 1845.
EGBERT J. JONES, of Limestone, was a young lawyer, raised and educated in North-Alabama-elected to the House in 1844, and again in 1845. This comprises his legislative record, as to duration of time. He was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University.
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