The age-herald. [volume], June 12, 1901, Image 1

About The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902

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VOL* XXVII. y BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1901 _NUMBER 338
GOVERNOR WILLIAM J. SAMFORD DIES AT TUSCALOOSA
TIE CHEF EXECUTIVE SICCUS
TO IN ATTICK OF HEART DISEASE
Physicians Resorted to Nitro
glycerine Treatment Rut
All-to No Avail
HIS FAMILY AT THE BEDSIDE
Funeral Arrangements Have Not Been
Made, But the Body Will Probably
Be Interred at Auburn or Ope
lika, His Old Home.
Tuscaloosa, June 11.—(Special,)—William
J. Samford, Governor of Alabama, died
at the residence of Prof, and Mrs. A. A,
Persons at 10:66 tonight of chronic val
vular disease of the heart.
His death was sudden, though known to
be Impending. He was surrounded by all
the members of his family when the end
came, save hlB two oldest sons, W. H.
and T. D. Samford, and his married
daughters, Mrs. James Smith, and Mrs.
S. A. Dowdell of Opelika
Dr. W. G. Somerville, who has been In
constant attendance upon the Governor
for the past two weeks, was with him
when the end came, as were Drs. William
Faulk and G. R. Rau of the Bryce Hos
pital.
Consulting physician C. A. L. Samford,
a brother of the Governor, Mrs. J. T.
Searcy and Mrs. A. A. Persons were also
at the bedside of the distinguished Ala
bamian when death claimed him. Gov
ernor Samford came here from Stafford’s
Springs, Miss., on the 24th day of May
en route to Montgomery and decided to
stay over a day or so with his relatives.
Professor and Mrs. Persons. He after
wards decided to remain long enough to
attend tHe annual meeting of the univer
sity trustees. He attended almost all of
the meetings, and a week ago yeBterday
reviewed the Alabama corps of cadets.
Sinking Spells.
During the time he had a number of
sinking spells with his heart which did
not become known to the general public.
On Thursday of last week his condition
become so critical that a statement was
given to the public. He has grown
stronger and then weaker since that time,
suffering very severely during Sunday
night, Monday and early Tuesday. This
afternoon he became worse, his condition
at S o'clock becoming extremely critical,
hypostatic congestion of the lungs having
set in. However, his wonderful vitality
caused him to revive later on, but the
physicians had practically given up all
hope. The distinguished patient seemed
to rally shortly before the end came and
spoke to his wife two mtoutes before be
expired. His pulse and respiration failed
very suddenly and he was dead before
those about him could hardly realize It.
Governor Samford had been conscious
and had spoken more rationally a short
time before his death than for several
bourl previously. Chronic valvular dis
ease of the heart was pronounced by the
physicians as the cause of the Governor’s
death.
Dra Somerville, Rau and Faulk were
with him almost constantly and during
the night the most heroic treatment
was resorted to, nitroglycerine being used
among other things. The scene around
his bedside was most touching. Hts wife
who has been with him constantly, was
the last one spoken to by the Governor.
He called to her by his affectionate love
■ ■■wHaiaiagaaaiaiaBBHiaBagaiagaBBBMMMaiaia
THE LATE GOVERNOR SAMFORD.
name of "Old Lady" only a moment or
two before he expired. His son and priv
ate secretary, Thomas D. Samford, ar
rived at 1:30 tonight, and a consultation
of the family will be held before the fun
eral arrangements are made.
The interment will take place either at
Auburn, his old home, or Opelika, his
residence at the time of his election to
the gubernatorial chair.
The body will in all probability be car
ried from here tomorrow' by special train
over the Mobile apd Ohio Railroad to
Montgomery', where it 'will possibly lie
in state.
Life of Governor Samford.
Governor 'Willliam J. Samford was born
near Gainesville, Ga., on September 16,
3844, and removed with his parents to
Chambers County, Ala., when he was
only abouLtwo years old, hence it may
be said that he wa^ almost an Alabam
ian by birth, as he was reared in the
State of which h# was destined to be the
Governor by the almost unanimous
choice of his fellow-citizens.
After moving to Alabama he lived In
the counties of Chambers, Macon and
Lee, Opelika, the county' seat of the last
name being his home at present. He re
ceived a highfBchool education, being un
able to attend college as the civil war
broke into his studies. He deemed it his
duty to enter the services of the Confed
eracy, and was chosen a lieutenant of
Infantry in the Forty-sixth Alabama Reg
iment. After the war he returned to Au
burn and entered business and began
to make a living for himself. In 3865 he
married Miss Carrie Drake, daughter
of Dr. J. E. Drake of that place. From
this union eight children have resulted.
Messrs. W. H. Samford, a member of
the constitutional convention; Thomas D.,
his private secretary, and who has been
conducting the affairs of the guberna
torial office during his father’s illness;
Richard L. and Walter Samford, Mrs. S.
A. Dowdell and Misses Carrie and Katie
May Samford and Mrs. James Smith.
After his marriage he read law and was
admitted to the bar at Opelika in 1866 and
afterwards practiced law at Opelika. Be
ginning In the year 1368 he Immediately
gained much reputation, afterwards be
coming noted as a profound lawyer and
a matchless debater, his eloquence being
of unusual force. His first public service
was an elector on the Democratic ticket
in the Hayes-Tllden contest, and since
that time he has been constantly In Ala
bama politics and noted for his sagacity
and conservative good judgment.
He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1875, several times a mem
ber of the General Assembly and once
president of the State Senate. In 1878 he
was elected to represent the Third Ala
bama district, but served only one term.
Since that time he has been equally as
prominent In the public life of Alabama,
and was elected Governor of the State in
August, 1900. having been nominated by a
splendid majority and elected by an over
whelming vote.
His term of office was looked forward
to as one that would bring credit, renown
and peace, politically speaking, to Ala
bama. For many years Governor Sam
ford has been a consistent member of the
Methodist Church and a man of recog
nized piety.
BRIEF SKETCH OF GOV. SAMFORD.
Governor Samford was a native of
Georgia and Was 57 years old. He re- i
moved to Alabama with his father in
early life, and the family settled In Lee
County. At 17 he enlisted In the Confed- !
erate army and seized through the war
between the states;
In 1878-80 he represented the Third Ala- '
bama district in Congress, after which he
devoted himself entirely to his law prac
tice for several years. He was then elected
State Senator and was twice president of
the Senate.
In April, 1900, he was nominated by the
State Democratic convention for Gover
nor, and was elected In August following.
His health broke down early In last Oc
tober, and afterwards for two or three
weeks his death was daily expected. Be
ing physically unable to discharge the
duties of the Governorship at the expira
tion of Governor Johnston’s term, De
cember 1, President of the Senate Jelks
became acting Governor and remained so
until January 1, when Governor Samford
took office.
About five weeks ago Governor Sarn
ford became so ill that he went to Staf
ford Springs; Miss., where he remained
for two weeks, going from there to Tus
caloosa, where he has remained very ill
ever since.
Under the constitution President of ihe
Senate Jelks becomes Governor of the
State, to hold office until December 1,
1902.
THOMAS B. PAINE MARRIEty ..
His Wedding to Miss Douglass Occur
red Last Night.
Atlanta, Ga., June 11.—(8peclal.)—The
wedding of Mr. Thomas B. Paine and
Miss Douglass Gay took place tonight at
8:80 o’clock at St. Luke's church. The
church was decorated In a handsome se
lection of palms and ferns, and great
numbers of pink carnations were placed
about the chancel rail.
Both parties are known throughout the
society circles of the south.
, V *
THE PERSON8 RESIDENCE IN TVJSCAL008A, WHERE GOVERNOR SAMFORD DIED.
... •*■+++'
GIGANTIC COMBINATION OF
STREET RAILWAY, ELECTRIC
LIGHT AND GAS COMPANIES
Birmingham Concerns Consoli
date With Capital Stock
of $10,000,000
MEETING HELD YESTERDAY
Stockholders Decided to Accept Propo
sition of Underwriters—H. M. Atkin
son, Isadore Newman and Old Col
ony Trust Co. Promoted Deal.
A deal consolidating the interests
of the Birmingham Railway, Light
and Power Company, the Consolidated
Electric Light Company., and the Bir
mingham Gas Company has been ar
ranged through the efforts of Isadora
Newman of New Orleans, Harry M. At
kinson of Atlanta, and the Old Colony
Trust Company of Boston, and will be
completed this afternoon at meetings of
the stockholders of the various compan
ies.
The new corporation will have a capital
of $10,000,000, distributed in bonds, prefer
red stock and common stock. There will
be an issue of bonds amounting to $5,000,
000, bearing 5 per cent interest; $1,500,000
of 6 per cent preferred stock, and $3,500,
000 worth of common stock.
The work of securing entire control of
the stock and bonds of the three com
panies has been in progress for several
weeks, and no definite action was taken
until yesterday morning, when a meeting
of the stockholders of the Birmingham
Gas Company was held, and the offer of
the underwriters and promoters submitted
to the owners of the company.
Robert Jemtso ^ Isadore Newman and :
Robert P. Clapp were present at the meet
ing and submitted the proposition to
form the one large corporation and gain
control of the three great interests of
the city. By a large majority vote the
stockholders agreed to enter the consoli
dation and merge the company into the
corporation. The meeting wras then ad
journed until 3 o’clock this afternoon
when the deal will be completed.
Other Companies Meet.
Meetings of the Consolidated Electric
Light Company and the Birmingham
Railway, Light and Power Company were
held in the afternoon. At both of these
meetings the proposition to consolidate
was presented to the stockholders and
agreed to by large majorities of the stock
voting. Both of the meetings were ad
journed until this afternoon at 3 and 4
o’clock when the question of completing
the deal will be settled and the new, large
corporation formed into one company.
Atkinson Comes Today.
Harry M. Atkinson of Atlanta, who
represents the interest of the Old Colony
Trust Company of Boston in the south,
was not present at the meetings yester
day, but will reach the city this morn
ing at 12 o’clock from Atlanta.
Mr. Atkinson has been foremost in the
movement to consolidate the lighting
and street railway interests of the city,
and it is due to a very great extent to
his management that the consolidation
has been so successfully arranged. Some
weeks ago he spent a number of days
In the city, afterwards going to the east
in the interests of the companies.
The work of underwriting the is
sue of bonds, preferred stock and com
mon stock has been done almost entirely
by Messrs. Atkinson, Newman and
Gordon Abbott, president of the Old Col
ony Trust Company of Boston. In their
efforts Robert Jemison of the local com
panies has been a very instrumental as
sistant. Mr. Jemison has done consider
able towards securing entire control of
the local securities and pooling the stock
so that no obstacle would be a hindrance
to the final completion of the deal.
Who Will Be Manager7
The question of who will be at the head
of the new corporation and manage the
combined Interests Is one of the most In
teresting that arises In the consolida
tion. It was rumored among those Inter
ested in the movement last night that a
son of Isadore Newman would have the
place. It was also stated that the cor
poration would be under the complete
direction of Robert Jemlson. Which of
the two gentlemen will be placed at the
foremost cannot be told as yet.
It Is safe to say that If Mr. Newman
Is placed In charge of the combined In
terests Mr. Jemlson will be retained In
charge of the lighting and railway In
terests. In fact, this latter conjecture
seems the more likely at the present
time, owing to the fact that Mr. Jemlson
has devoted much of his time re
cently to planning enlargements and ex
tensions of both the railway company and
the light company.
Who Are Underwriters.
The men who did tho underwriting of
the consolidated company are among tho
best-known men In the financial world
of the south and tho east. Harry M. At
kinson Is president of tho Georgia Elec
tric Light Company in Atlanta and at
the head of the Atlanta Rapid Transit
Street Railway Company, and represents
large eastern Interests In the south. He
has recently built the flftcen-story Em
pire build
(Continued on Second Rage.)
GOVERNOR JELKS.
WILLIAM B. JELKS
THE NEW GOVERNOR
BY HENRY B. GRAY.
The people of Alabama are to be con
gratulated that the successor of Gover
nor Samford Is a man of brain and of af
fairs.
It was in the summer of 1887, some four
teen years ago, that I first met Mr. Jelks,
who this evening is, by the death of Gov
ernor Samford, the Governor of the
State. Prior to that time he had, as ed
itor and publisher of the Times of Eu
faula, made quite a reputation, and con
sequently when the Herajdwas started
In Birmingham, Mr. Jelks *was selected
as the business manager. I had the pleas
ure and honor to be associated with him
as assistant manager of the paper, and
it was in that capacity that I came to
know the man and to appreciate him. In
every respect he was and is the ideal
man; appreciating his own responsibili
ties and recognizing the worth of those
associated with him.
As a newspaper man he was ever a
strong personality, and he never forgot
the work of those associated with him.
In after life as a politician and repre
sentative of this people no man ever was
truer than William D. Jelks. The fact
that he is now Governor will, to the
large number of friends who throughly
know him, signify that a wise and brave
man has succeeded Governor Samford,
and that in the future the State has in
no way anything to fear from William
Dorsey Jelks.
Educated as he has been in every de
partment of a newspaper, and dealing as
he has with the affairs of the State In
all particulars, he comes, in my opinion,
as the strongest man that Alabama has
ever had as Governor. He is one of the
people, and as Governor he will not
represent any faction, but will bo the
Governor of the whole people and one
whom all can love, honor, and trust.
I predict that William Dorsey Jelks
will be the most beloved and the most
honored Governor that Alabama has had
since the war.
ISSUES A
Washington, June 11.—The following etatement has been given out at
the White House:
“I regret that the third term question has arisen. I doubt if I should
give it notice. But there are questions of the gravest importance before
the administration and the country, and their consideration should not be
prejudiced in the public mind even in the thougnt 01 a third term.
“In. view, therefore, of the reiteration of the suggestion of it, I will
say now, once for all, expressing a long settled conviction, that I am not
and will not be a candidate for a third term, and would not accept a nomi
nation for it if it were tendered me.
“My only ambition is to serve through my second term to the accept
ance of my countrymen, whose generous coniidence I so deeply appre
ciate, anu then with them to do my duty in the ranks of private citizen
ship.
(Signed) “WILLIAM M’KINLEY.
“Executive Mansion, Washington, June 10, 1901.”
DECISION REACHED
MONDAY NIGHT
Washington, June 11.—President McKin
ley today put an effectual quietus on the
third term talk which has gained some
currency In the newspapers through In- I
tervlews with certain well known Repub
licans favorlpg the re-nominntion of the
President for a third term. Shortly be
fore today's cabinet meeting adjourned
Secretary Cortelyou gave to the press a
signed statement by the President Intend
ed for the American peqple announcing
that he was not a candidate for a third
term and would not accept a renomlna
tion If one were tendered.
A decision to issue such a statement was
reached last night when the President
showed to the members of the cabinet his
proposed statement, at the same time
personally pledging each to secrecy until
public announcement was made. The
cabinet, on hearing the reasons the Pres
ident advanced, which are substantially
set forth in .the public anonuncement,
namely, that talk of a third term would
react on the national policies the adminis
tration Is endeavoring to promote, co
incided with the view of their chief that
the present was an opportune time for Its
promulgation. The President's Intimate
personal and political friends later ex
pressed themselves as not surprised at
the decision announced, but quite gen
erally conceded that they had not expect
ed such an announcement at this time,
thinking that the President would not
quickly take heed of the third term gos
sip.
They said, however, that they believed
the President had shown his quick and
excellent judgment by crushing the third
term movement in Its very birth.
What Mark Expected.
Cleveland. O., June 11.—"It Is Just what
I expected the President would say If ho
said anything at all on tho subject," was
the comment of Senator Hanna today
when ho read President McKinley's state
ment In reference to a third term.
"1 have never exchanged ono word with
the President concerning the matter,” he
continued, "and have considered all the
talk bearink on the matter as premature.
According to my Judgment it is too early
to discuss presidential candidates for the
next term."
Asked If he was in favor of maintaining
the precedent established by President
Washington in reference to the number of
years tne chief executive should hold
office, Mr. Hanna said: "J think
the precedent set by Washington has a
great deal to do jvlth the matter. But
there is undoubtedly a strong sentiment
among the people against such a propo
sition.”
MRS. M’KINLEY
STILL IMPROVES
Washington, June 11.—Dr. Rlxey called
at the White House this afternoon and
reported that Mrs. McKinley continues to
Improve. He was accompanied by Drs.
Gray and Reed, mlcroscoplsts. who ex
amined Mrs. McKinley's blood last week.
They are continuing their examinations.
THEATRICAL FILIPINO.
He Announce* Himself Successor to
Aguinaldo—Not Taken Seriously.
Washington, June 11.—Emilio Zurbano
of Tabayas province has proclaimed him
self the successor of Aguinaldo and
"Governor of the Tabayas and the Philip
pines." according to a copy of a Manila
paper Just received at the War Depart
ment. Emilio is said to have been always
* rather theatrical Insurrectionists and to
have sworn to light the Americans down
to the last bolo. The paper does not take
the Filipino's announcement seriously,and
warns him that he will And that the of
fice carries with It i certain grave respon
sibilities which win sooner or later result
In heart failure aiid sudden demise.
CONVENTION MTS FIRST TWO
SECTIONS OF TRE CONSTITUTION
Lieutenant Governor Mentioned
in List nf Officers in Ex
ecutive Department
GOVERNOR’S SALARY $5000
There Was a Lively Debate Over Ques
tion of Lieutenant Governor; But
the Motion Was Carried By
a Large Majority.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
Montgomery, June 11.—(Special.)—The
convention today adopted the first two
sections of the new constitution. These
refer to the executive department and
read as follows:
Section 1. The executive department
shall consist of a Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor,
Treasurer, Attorney General, Superinten
dent of Education, Commissioner of Ag
riculture and Industries, and a sheriff for
each county.
Sec. 2. The supreme executive power or
this State shall be vested in a chief mag
istrate who shall be styled “the Governor
of the State of Alabama.”
The adoption of these two sections,
which are part of the article on executive
prepared by that committee and whose
consideration was made the special order
for today, followed a lively debate as to
the office of Lieutenant-Governor provid
ed for by section one. The convention,
however, decided by a large majority to
create the office.
Some debate was also caused by a mo
tion made by Governor Oates to have the
attorney general of the State appointed,
by the Governor instead of being elected
by the people. This idea did not take at
all with the convention, and a motion to
lay Governor Oates* motion on the table
was adopted unanimously.
The convention was considering
three of the ordinance, which provides
that State officers shall be elected for
four years, and was just about to adopt
it when the hour of adjournment arrived.
It will be adopted tomorrow.
Aside from this, the convention did lit
tle. Mr. Brooks of Mobile introduced an
ordinance to define and prohibit trusts.
Mr. Jones ofi Hale Introduced an ordl~
nance to regulate the election of Justices
of the peace, and Mr. Burns of Dallas In
troduced two original suffrage ordinances.
One allows soldiers and ex-slaves to vote
and one prohibits persons with contage
ous diseases or who have committed cer
tain crimes from voting.
Convention Opens.
The seventeenth day’s session of the
constitutiqaml convention was called to
order by President Knox at 10 o’clock. A
prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Stick
ley.
Roll call showed 134 members present.
The committee on Journal reported it
was correct and the report was adopted.
Several leaves of absence were asked
for and granted.
Mr. White of Jefferson moved to sus
pend the call of the roll for introducing
ordinances and proceed to take Up the
report of the committee on executive.
Mr. Brooks of Mobile asked leave to In
troduce an ordinance. This was granted,
and he then introduced an ordinance to
amend article 4 so as to provide for the
General Assembly passing laws to reg
ulate trusts. It defined trusts as com
binations to limit trade, regulate prices,
or limit manufacturing.
It declared such trusts unlawful and
void.
Mr. Jones of Hale, by leave, intro
duced an ordinance to amend section 20
of article 0 so as to provide that the
electors of each precinct shall elect two
Justices of the peace, and defining their
Jurisdiction. It abolishes the office of no
tary public and ex-offlcio Justice of the
peace. #
Mr. White's motion to dispense with the
roll call was then adopted by a vote of
75 to 22.
General Harrison of Bee moved that the
convention resolve Itself into a commit
tee of the whole, his Idea being to fix
the limit of debate at five minutes for
each delegate as to each amendment.
This motion was opposed by Governor
Jones of Montgomery and Mr. DeGraffen
reid of Hale. General Harrison withdrew
bis motion, and Governor Jones moved
that the executive ordinance be passed
to Its third reading. Some parliamentary
discussion ensued and Governor Jones ex
plained the reason of his motion. In do
ing so he made a few little sarcastic
stabs in a good-natured way at the num
ber of parliamentarians in the conven
tion.
Governor Jones Explains Report.
In speaking to his motion Governor
Jones explained some of the changes
made by his committee. He said it was
better to have a lieutenant governor elect
ed by the people to serve In case of tho
Governor’s death or Incapacity, than some
one ■ olected by the Legislature. He ex
plained the advisability of the Governor
pledging himself to the people not to be
come a candidate for the United States
Senate while Governor. He also said that
the article practically disfranchised the
Governor from any other office for five
years after his inauguration, and that
therefore he ought to have a good salary,
whose amount tho committee had fixed
at- 36000.
He explained the veto provisions,which
allowed the Legislature to amend a hill
so as to meet the objections of the Gov
ernor’s veto. Also the provisions regu
lating the succession In reference to the
Governor becoming Insane. This allowed
the Supreme Court to decide when the
Governor became insane.
The provisions creating a board of par
done were also explained. The board, aald
Governor Jones, was designed to relieve
the Governor, In a large measure, from
tho personal appeals made to him, while
it left him finally responsible for all par
dons.
The board of conciliation, he explained.
Is to have two disinterested persons servo
on it. This was to enable both sides to
select n representative. Governor Jones
spoke of the moral force in such a board
(Continued on Second Page.)