Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-03
RANDALL's ROYAL ROAD.
Btrmingham's Formal Farewell Taken
at Large Reception.

BIRMINGHAM, Jan. 2-Birmingham's
distinguished visitors were favored with
the best possible weather on their second
day here. 1t was cold and raw yesterday
and last night, but the sun shone brightly
all to-day and the temperature was much
milder. Mr.. Randall and party, with sew
eral distinguished gentlemen from other
places in Alabama and some prominent
citizens of Birmingham, DEVOTED nearly
the whole day to visit to the iron proper
ties on the Birmingham Mineral Railroad.
a snort road of two arms. striking the
Louisville and Nashville Road, one about
four and the other six mileslsouth of Bir-
mingham. The first place visited was the
SlOss mines, the southern terminus of the
northern arm of the Mineral Road They
afterwards visited the Woodward Iron
Company's furnace and coal mines and
the Morris mines, at the southern termi-
nus of the southern arm of the Birming-
ham Mineral Road. The party then re-
turned to this city.
THE EVENING RECEPTION.
Long before the time appointed for the
evening reception the Opera House was
crowded In every part with an audience
composed of citizens of this and neigh
boring communities. The Opera House
was finely decorated inside and out. On
the stage was notable display, the prin-
cipal feature of which was a native in
dustrial exposition, comprising bales of
cotton, Jumps of coal, varieties of iron
ore and pig iron, and other manufactured
products. Numerous national flags and
bunting were arranged about the
stage so as to make a very pleasing
and striking effect. Mayor Lane in
graceful manner introduced Mr.. Randall
to the audience. He came to the front in
the midst of tumultu0us and lOng.con-
tlnued applause. Mr.. Randall spoke
about 40 minutes, receiving frequent ap-
plause. He said that he had been the re-
ciplent OF so much kind cons ,deration and
mad received such high honor since COM
ing South that he confessed that he could
not nnd adequate language to express his
feelings therefor. His mission to Ala
bama was conceived months ago.
THE OBJECT OF HIS VISIT.
his object was neither a personal nor
political one. 1t was as originally con-
emplated-business that brought him
here. lie confessed that he was gratifed
beyond measure by kindness induced in
some measure by the services he had been
able to render to the Southern States.
When the time came for them to build up
he wanted them to build up. When the
time came to put the past behind him he
wanted to forget it, and it was pleasant
to note the evidence OF progress he had
observed. During his VISIT here in 1867
there was mined in Alabama about
1000 tons of coal "A year. To-day it was
fair statement to say that a mine a short
distance from town put out 1000 tons
daily. In 1861 there were 5000 tons iron
produced. To-day it was fair to say that
100000 tons annually was produced,
After adducing further statistics relative
to the industrial progress of the State he
proceeded to state bis position upon the
tariff, which was substantially the same
as enunciated at Louisville and Nashville.
Before he concluded Mr.. Randall predicted
that Alabama, by reason of the develop
ment of its resources, would be one of the
leading States in the Union. At the con-
cluslon he was banqueted. MIR. Randall
and his party leave for Chattanooga in the
morning.