The prose writings of Judge Meek mark him as a man of great mental powers and of lofty ideals. In these writings he expresses the belief that through literature God would redeem the world and hasten the millenium. The noble thoughts expressed by him, and the brief and skilful way in which he so thoroughly treated the facts of history, set a high standard for later writers. Scarcely anything worthy has entered into the published history of the Southwest that has not borrowed from his store of facts. 9. An Estimate by Judge Smith.-To know the man whose life has been sketched in this chapter, one must read his writings and also what his personal friends have said of him. Judge William R. Smith, in Reminiscences, treats Judge Meek as a man and a poet. He tells of his kindly nature, his jolly boyhood, and his warm-heartedness. He notes the remarkable fact that young Meek, when a Sunday-school pupil, repeated from memory the whole of the English Bible. He describes him as a man of fine personal appearance, though inclined to be overbearing among men, but full of gentleness and grace among women. Although he had his own imaginary world and sometimes lived as though in a dream, he was entirely at home with his friends and acquaintances. "In the parlor he was superb; on the streets he was genial, social, and cheerful; as a friend he was warm and candid; as an acquaintance he was cordial; as a politician he was an unchangeable Jackson Democrat; as an editor his articles were crispy, clear, and cogent; at the bar he was considered an eloquent advocate; and on the bench, a profound judge.' SUMMARY A. B. Meek, poet, orator, jurist, journalist, and one of the first students to enter the University, was an associate-editor of the Flag of the Union, and editor of the Southron, a soldier in the Florida Indian war, attorney-general of the State, probate judge of Tuskaloosa county, elector to Washington for Polk and Dallas, assistant secretary of the treasury of the United States, federal attorney for southern Alabama, and editor of the Mobile Register. As a member of the general assembly, he was the author of the bill creating the public school system. He was a Jackson democrat, and a strong believer in the purifying power of literature. Several books, stimulating to what is best in thought and life, were written by Judge Meek. QUESTIONS 1. Sketch the early life of A. B. Meek. 2. Describe each of the "three distinguished Meeks." 3. Give an account of the graduation of A. B. Meek. 4. What honors fell to him? 5. Of what important bill was he the author? 6. Name the books that were published by him. 7. Tell of his marriage and death. 8. Give a brief outline of The Red Eagle; The Day of Freedom; Balaklava. 9. How did Judge Meek regard the influence of literature? 10. What is Judge Smith's estimate of him? CHAPTER XI THE STATE BANK 1. Establishment of the Bank.-The rapid influx of population into the new State of Alabama increased the demand for articles manufactured at a distance. All purchases had to be paid for in gold and silver, which was the principal money of that day. To remedy the inconvenience of sending gold and silver from place to place, and to make it possible to use checks, notes, drafts, bonds, paper money, or coin in payment of debts, the general assembly of Alabama established the State Bank. Dec. 20, The parent bank was located in Cahawba, but it was moved to Tuskaloosa when that city was made the capital in 1826. Branch banks were afterward established in Montgomery, Mobile, Decatur, and Huntsville. 1823 1823 2. Capital of the Bank.-When Alabama became a State, the United States government granted it 46,080 acres of land for a seminary of learning. The legislature turned over these lands to the University of Alabama. Large quantities of them were sold, some of the most fertile tracts bringing as high as sixty dollars an acre. In 1823, the State Bank was established by the legislature. The law provided that "the moneys arising from the sale or rent of the lands given to this State by the Congress of the United States for the support of a seminary of learning shall form a part of the capital of said bank.' It further provided that the amount paid into the capital of the bank from funds derived from the sale of University lands should be limited to $100,000. The national government also gave a tract of land for the site of the State capital. The legislature provided that any money arising from the sale of this land, and from the sale of salt springs, and from fines and forfeits, should be a part of the capital of the State Bank. 3. The Directors.-The president and twelve directors of the bank were elected annually by the general assembly. A great many men wanted to be elected members on the board of bank directors. It is said that hotel-keepers once held the money-keys of the State. In Tuskaloosa, Major Charles Lewin, a typical hotel-keeper, secured early election as a director of the bank. He was jolly, genial, and clever, and could readily have notes discounted at the bank for his customers, who divided with him the cash obtained. Seeing his popularity and success, the other hotel-keepers in Tuskaloosa exerted themselves until they all became directors. "This man must have camped out last night," remarked President Tyndall on one occasion when a man's note offered for discount was not especially favored by any one of the directors. 4. Effect Upon Business.-In establishing the State Bank, the legislators considered that they were doing what was best for the people, and for a time there seemed to be wonderful improvement in business. Good crops, cheap labor, and the paper money issued by the bank and its branches made everybody feel easy and confident. With money borrowed from the banks farmers bought slaves and land at high prices, and merchants purchased large stocks of merchandise. From 1836 to 1842 there were no taxes to pay, for the banks supplied the funds necessary for running the government of the State. 5. Misuse of Funds.-Since the banks had been established by the legislature, it was but natural that they should be more or less under the control of politicians. A politician, denied a loan at one bank, went to another, and by berating the directors for not lending money when it was most needed, would succeed in getting a loan of thousands of dollars for his personal use. Moseley Baker, lawyer, editor, and member of the legislature from Montgomery, who had been living ahead of his means, borrowed of the bank $24,000 on his note endorsed by John Moonshine and Adam Sunshine. He was afterwards arrested, but made his escape to Texas, where he became a member of Congress of that republic. Rising in his place one day, he confessed his crime in Alabama, resigned his seat, communicated with Alabama bank officials, and paid the debt. Prominent Whigs and Democrats owed the banks immense sums on their own notes and on notes which they had endorsed for others, and thus the State Bank was drained by the ruling class of both political parties. The banks every year went from bad to worse. They became corrupt and reckless, even lending |