TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALABAMA

To the Democratic Voters of Alabama — Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have no doubt seen in some of the newspapers my announcement for Secretary of State.   If you do not know now you have a right to know who I am and what I am and by what right I am asking for your vote and influence.

I was born near Russellville, in Franklin County, Alabama, on May the 11th, 1873. Beginning at the age of nine I worked on the farm for nine years, attending the public schools after crops were laid by and in the winter after crops were gathered.  Not being able to send me to college my father persuaded me to enter into the newspaper and printing business with my eldest brother, John H. West, which I did at the age of nineteen at Russellville Alabama, on the old "Southern Idea," now "The Franklin Times."  Notwithstanding the fact that Franklin County was at that time controlled and dominated by opposing political factions, "The Southern Idea" preached the eternal principles of democracy unequivocally.

I cast my First vote for the lamented Joseph F. Johnston for governor of Alabama.   Even before reaching my majority I took an active part in state and county polities and helped to secure victory after victory for democratic rule.  I severed my connection with "The Southern Idea" in 1894 during the awful panic that came that year with strikes, lockouts and other national calamities.  After leaving my old home town with an empty purse and a sad heart I secured employment with that typical gentleman, Mr. M. V. Camper, editor and owner of "The Florence Times."   In the early part of 1896 I left Florence with many pleasant memories of my associations with Editor Camper and his office force; also of the Bunting Brothers and T. F. Gordon (the last named now editor of The Anniston Star) with whom I divided time and touched elbows as newspaper associate a quarter of a century ago.   Conscience would remind me that I had snubbed a friend if I should fail to mention the fact that Frank N. Julian and myself printed news together on The Daily Enterprise in Sheffield in the early boom days. I have since had the pleasure of helping to elect my friend Julian to the office I now seek — Secretary of State.

In 1896 I assumed the editorship of The Oakman News, in Walker County, in one of the most prosperous little mining towns in Alabama.  In the publication of The Oakman News I was associated with William Russell Smith, who like the matchless Grady, died too soon.  William Russell Smith was the grandfather of Russell Smith, of Birmingham, who, though yet in his teens, wields the mightiest pen of the younger set in sporting arena.

I spent about six years in Walker County and a part of that time I was employed on The Jasper Mountain Eagle with my estimable friend John C. Norwood, now editor of The Cullman Tribune.  Leaving Walker County in 1902 I soon afterward became associated with the late Walter NeSmith as editor of The Lamar Democrat at Vernon, Alabama.  Vernon is the county seat and the town had a population of 303 and a Mozart Club.  The county was then and is now overwhelmingly democratic and the people were loyal in support of their home paper.  After two years in the quiet village, Vernon, I developed a longing for the big game — the hustle and the bustle of the metropolis.  I left Vernon with a few dollars and a pass to Washington City, but my stop-over in Birmingham resulted in landing a splendid situation with one of the State's metropolitan dailies.  I held a situation on that newspaper for sixteen years, during which time I bought and paid for a little country home and a few acres.  In 1909 I promised Miss Morrie Elmore, at the hymenael altar in Birmingham, Alabama, that I would make her a good husband.  Our home has been wonderfully blessed, viz: Tinsley Davis West, age 12; James Elmore West, age 10; Henry Clinton West, Jr., age 8; Laura Lucile West, age 5; Margaret NeSmith West, age 1.  The aforesaid and the same are my assets and my liabilities — my hopes and my inspirations.  I had rather raise and educate my children correctly thereby qualifying them to earn a livelihood than to leave them a vast fortune in cash that they probably would not know what to do with.  My observation is that a boy who earns his own money knows better how to use it than the boy who inherits it.

I do not consider it unimportant also to say that my people have been in Alabama for more than a hundred years.  My father was born in Madison County, near Huntsville, Alabama, in 1832.  He was a farmer and a rural school teacher.  He died at the age of 85.  My mother is also a native Alabamian.  She is the mother of fourteen children — nine girls and five boys, ten of whom are now living.  One of my great grandfathers — Michael Dickson — felled the trees and erected the first house a white man ever inhabited at Tuscumbia, Alabama, in the year 1812, six years before Alabama was admitted into the Union as a state.  I am as proud of my ancestry as any peacock ever was of his plumage.  I am as proud of Alabama as any mother ever was of her first born.

I have referred at considerable length to my newspaper career for the reason that two of my opponents are appealing to you for your vote and influence on the ground that they are newspaper men.  I want to ''tote" fair with the brethren and I want the brethren to "tote" fair with me.  My opponents are all younger men than I am and could afford to wait for the next turn.  Not one of my opponents could establish the fact that he has been more loyal to the democracy of Alabama than I have been or that he has contributed more to its success.

You will probably remember that I was a candidate for Secretary of State in the last Democratic primary.  I carried Jefferson — my home county — by an overwhelming majority, with three other popular men in the race.  I got every vote that was polled in the precinct where I reside.  I devoted only five weeks to my campaign and did not visit more than a half dozen counties.  I will be on the firing line from now until August the 8th and I confidently expect to win.  I beg to assure you that your support will be much appreciated. 

Sincerely yours,

HENRY C. WEST,
Candidate for Secretary of State.

Paid Political Advertisement Published by Henry C. West, Birmingham. Ala.

Note:  published cir. 1922