The Lexington Herald Newspaper

                                                                                      January 3, 1909

                                                        JUDGE WELLS IS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF CONTROL

                                                    ******************************************************************************

                                 Calloway County Man Who Fought the Night Riders Named as Successor of Dr. Milton Board

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                                                                          He is Chairman of County Committee

                                                                        *******************************************

                                                      Republicans Generally Do Not Approve Action of the Governor

                                                        ******************************************************************

                                                                            (Frankfort Bureau of The Herald)

Frankfort, KY., January 2, - As a reward for the fight he had made for law and order against the "Night Riders" in Calloway County and the western part of Kentucky in the " Dark Patch", Governor Willson today appointed Judge A. J. G. Wells,  of Murray, the Democratie member of the Board of Control of the Charitable Institutions of the State to succeed Dr. Milton Board. Democrat, of Hardinsburg. Judge Wells is the present County Judge of Calloway County, and chairman of the Democratie County Committee. He is active worker for the Democratic party. He is endorsed by twice as many Democrats and Republicans as any other man in the State.

                                                                      LEAD REFORM TICKET TO VICTORY

He was formerly a school teacher and attorney, giving up a lucrative practice to become County Judge for the purpose of aiding the " reform " ticket to victory. He was the first county offical in  Western Kentucky to come out and take a stand against " night riding" and at the time when the feeling ran so high in Western Kentucky that he took his life in his hands to fight lawlessness as he did. he is not an anti-organization man, however, and is of the opinion that the lawlessness in Calloway county was more of the wreaking of  personal vengence than because of the tobacco trouble.

                                                                       NO REASON GIVEN FOR ACTION.

Governor Willson said today that he had intended to give his reasons at length for appointing Judge Wells, but there were so many excellent men applicants for the place that he decided it would be best to say nothing. He add, however, that the list of men desiring the position were of such high standing and character that the selection of a man to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of Dr. Board's term was one of the most difficult duties he has had to perform.

                                                                      REPUBLICANS DO NOT APPROVE.

The appointment does not genreally meet the approval of the Republicans of the administration. They fear that the appointment of Judge Wells will be taken by the tabacco growers of the organization as meaning that the administration is lined up against them, and they desire to throw the entire responsibility of that appointment on Governor Willson. There is no doubt that the appointment will cause a fight on the part of the organization Democrats to amend the law taking the appointing power out of the hands of the Governor.

                                                                        MISS LYONS MAY BE NAMED.

Attorney General Breathitt will hand down his opinion next week relating to the appointment of the Custodian of Public Buildings. It is understood that if the Attorney General holds the vacancy created by the death of Custodian William Lyons should be filled by Governor Willson, that he will appoint Miss Amy Lyons, the daughter of the dead man, to fill the unexpired term of fifteen months. On the other hand if the Sinking Fund Commissioners have the power to fill the vacancy it is believed that George A. Lewis will be chosen.