In the first letter, written April 9, 1917, Burgess discusses a proposed bill promoting "compulsory or universal military training" for men ages eighteen to twenty-five. He asks Bankhead to have the bill amended to lower the age of eligibility: "To...
In the first letter, written February 8, 1910, the men ask Bankhead to support legislation that would protect farmers from gambling in the markets for cotton and other farm products. In the second letter, written February 14, 1910, Bankhead assures...
In the first letter, written January 3, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes ask Bankhead not to support the proposed selective service legislation, "which the jingoes and newspapers are urging upon Congress". In the second letter, written January 6, Bankhead...
In the first letter, written June 11, 1919, Gilmer pledges his support for Underwood in the next election; expresses his disapproval of President Wilson, especially regarding the League of Nations; and criticizes the method of ratifying the recent...
In the first letter, written May 9, 1917, Thompson asks if an employee on her farm may be excused from the draft: "It is almost impossible to get labor and this boy is my mainstay in my 'cropping plans'...I do not know that my request is a just...
In the letter and resolution the club members endorse President Wilson's selective service legislation and ask the Alabama congressional delegation to support it. The Selective Service Act, which required men from ages twenty-one to thirty to...
In the letter Blackwell discusses General Joseph E. Johnston's reappointment as commander of the Army of Tennessee: "Today Johnston received our Corps and as he passed each Brigade, three cheers were given in a very joyful tone and manner...
In the letter Kohlenberg asks Bankhead to vote against President Wilson's selective service legislation; he believes that the majority of Alabama citizens are against the bill: "Mr. Bankhead, I do not believe that you are one of the Senators that...
In the letter Lloyd asks Bankhead to support the selective service legislation sponsored by President Wilson. The Selective Service Act, which required men from ages twenty-one to thirty to register for military service, was passed in May 1917. At...
In the letter Milner asks Bankhead to support a bill that would require six months of military training for all American men at the age of nineteen; this would create an experienced reserve of soldiers who could be called to duty during a defensive...
In the letter Mrs. Cato, the widow of Burrell P. Cato, asks for Dellet's help in reclaiming several slaves who have been taken to Texas by the executor of her husband's will. Because of a law prohibiting "the importing or bringing negroes from any...
In the letter Mrs. Elliott asks Bankhead not to support the proposed selective service legislation, which would take "young men from the farms": "It is as great a battle to provide food for the nation, as to protect the nation." The Selective...
In the letter Mrs. Wallace informs Bankhead that female citizens of Alabama are opposed to conscription, and she asks him to vote against the proposed selective service legislation. She argues that the proponents of the draft "show to the world...
In the letter Nat describes the landscape; his responsibilities as a commissary sergeant; living conditions and leisure activities where he is stationed ("if I do not enjoy myself it is my own fault. My house is a cozy little nest, a model...
In the letter Smealey mentions the possibility of making the Mercury, a newspaper in Autauga County, a Democratic organ: "It is a fixed fact that the paper has to change in some way. If the Democrats do not control it the Whigs will." He also...
In the message Lay supports Bankhead's stance against conscription. He suggests that an increase in pay for soldiers will encourage more men to volunteer for service: "Increase the pay for volunteers to serve in Europe to four or five times the...
The constitutional convention of 1865 met from September 12 to 30 to restore Alabama to the Union. These records consist of ordinances and resolutions passed during the gathering.
The first item is a letter from Senator Buford, in which he discusses sectional division over the issues of territorial expansion and slavery; he suggests a convention of the Southern states to address the "impending results of the northern...
The introduction briefly discusses the terms of the "compromise bills" and encourages support for the decisions of the federal government: "There appears no objection from any Southern man to the Fugitive Slave Bill. After the Wilmot Proviso has...
This article describes the response of African American citizens to the ordinance recently passed by the Montgomery city council, which requires segregation on street cars. Although there is "no organized boycott," most African American preachers...