St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-03
RAN NDALL AT BIRMINGHAM.
The Distinguished Visitor Continues
to Receive the Plaudits of the
South.
A Grand Banquet Given in His Honor Last
Night at the Opera House in Bir-
mingham.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Jan. 2.-Birmingham's
distinguished visitors were favored with the
best possible weather this, their second dav
here. 1t was cold and raw yesterday and
last night, but the sun shone brightly all day
to-day and the temperature was much mildeI.
Mr.. Randall and party aud some twenty-five
prominent citizens visited the iron property
on the Birmin CHAM Mineral railroad, short
road of two arms striking the Louisville &
Nashville, one about four and the other six
miles south of Birmin CHAM. The first place
visited was the Sloss mines at the southern
terminus of the northern arm Of the mineral
railroad Here iron ore is mined on the
Red mountain from vein extending nearly
$50 miles, and at this point fourteen feet
thick. The party spent some fifteen minutes
in the mine, and then visited the Woodward
Iron company's furnace and coal mine,
short distance off the Birmingham mineral
road. After few minutes at each of those
places they went to the Morris mines, the
southern terminus of the southern arm of the
mineral road, and on the opposite side OF
Red mountain. Here twenty-five feet of red
fossil ore are dug from the top Of the noun
tain, large proportion of it going to the
Tennessee and Georgia furnaces. From
here the party returned to the city, reaching
there about o'clock. There was no speech
making or ceremonies of any kind during
the day. The trip was made in a special
train.
Long before the hour appointed O'Brien's
large Opera house was crowded in every part
with an audience composed of citizens OF
this and neighboring communities. The
Opera house was elaborately and tastefully
decorated inside and out On the stage was
a notable display, the principal features be-
ing a native industrial exhibit, comprising
bales of cotton, Jumps Of coal, varieties OF
iron ore and pig iron, and other manufac-
tured products. Numerous flags and
bunting were arranged about
the stage, SO as to make
it very pleasing and striking effect. Mayor
A. o. Lane, in graceful and fitting manner
introduced Mr.. Randall to the audience. He
came 10 the front in the midst of the con-
tinued applause. Mr.. Randall spoke about
forty minutes, receiving frequent applause
and cheers. He said he had been the re-
cipient of so much kind consideration, and
had received such high honor since coming
south, he confessed he could not find ade-
quate language TO express his feelings there
for. His mission to Alabama was
conceived months ago. His object was
neither a personal nor political one.
1t was, as originally contemplated, business
that brought him here. He confessed he
was gratifed beyond measure by the kid
ness induced, in some measure, by the SER
vices he had been able to render to southern
states. When the time came TO build up he
wanted to build: when the time to put the
h.,bi ba tad tn Ha
was more than pleased to note the evidence
of progress which he had observed during
his visit here. In 1867 there vas mined in
Alabama about 900 tons of coal per year.
To-day a fair statement says single
mine but snort distance from this town
put out $500 tons per day. In 1861 there
was not producedin the state much over
5000 tons OF iron. To-day 1t was fair es-
innate to say 450,o tons were annually
produced. After adducing further statistics
relative to the industrial progress of the state
Mr.. Randall proceeded to state his position
relative to the industrial progress of the state.
Mr.. Randall proceeded to state his position
upon the tariff, which Is substantially the
same as enumerated at Louisvile and Nash
vile, viz, that an internal revenue, as war
measure, is illegal and unjust in times of
peace, aud otherwise standing upon the Chi
cago platform. Before concluding, Mr.. Ran
dali predicted that Alabama, by reason Of the
development of its resources, would be one
Of the richest states in the union.
The New Jersey congressman, Mr.. Nc
Adoo, was then introduced by Mayor Lane,
and responded in his characteristic way, and
elected frequent laughter and applause by
facetous sallies touching upon incidents Of
the late presidential campaign. OF Mr.
Blaine's conduct since election, Mr.. McAdoo
said he disdained TO kick corpse, but when
a corpse misbehayed, his toes itched to be
brought into action. He said, also, that with
Kentucky whisky and Alabama iron, ma
tional tonic could be made, which If taken
early in the morning, even on short ses-
sions, would materially help a congressman
10 do little work.
Loud calls were made at the end Of Nc
Adoo's remarks for Col. A. $. Colgar, Of
Tennessee, and that gentleman spoke briefly
of Randali's services in the past,and the cor
dialiIy of his reception in the cities visited.
In allusion to Mfr. Watterson's structures
upon the object Of Mr.. Randall's southern
tour, which the speaker said was that Of
harmless monomaniac, was loudly applauded.
After the speaking the distinguished visitors
from the north, and many from the southern
cities, repaired 10 the Florence hotel, where
great banquet was spread, and toasts were
drunk and responded to. Randall and party
leave for Chattanooga on an early morning
train.