Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-31
The Southern Development Con
 gress at Washington,
WITH HON. SAM BLACKWELL
Of Alabama as Presiding Off, Cer, Called to Order.
 First Days Work.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.-Business men from the southern states met in convention this morning at Willard's hall to devise methods for investigation and development of southern investments and resources.
 One of it's objects is to secure the estab- lishment of permanent exhibit of south- ern resources in Washington, with an aux Hilary bureau in which various investments likely to secure capital may be recorded, with all particulars, and thus establish reliable medium between northern capital and the rich fields for development In the south. With view to making the con- vention success, many of the commercial bodies in the southern cities appointed del- egates to represent them.
 The convention was called to order at 10:30 'clock by Hon. Sam Blackwell Of Alabama, third auditor of the treasury, who, as chairman of the reception com mittee, made brief opening speech.
 After Rev. B. B. Bagley had prayed ap- propriately, Hon. John w. Ross, presi- dent of the board of commissioners of the District of Columbia, delivered the address of welcome. He said the district commis- sioners were much interested In the move- ment, and spoke of the mineral and other resources of the new south.
 He had often wondered why 1t was that the ambitions of young fellows of the New England and the middle states did not seek their futures in the south instead of the west, with it's many disadvantages. The project for permanent exhibit of southern resources in Washington had been, he said, recently brought to the attention of the commissioners by Senator Walsh of Georgia.
 Mention of Senator Walsh's name caused prolonged applause, and there was another outburst when Ross suggested that it would be better, and would meet with more general appreciation from the con- gressmen to work for an exblb1t In Wash ington of the resources of the whole couu- try.
 In replying to Commissioner Ross MT. Blackwell made reference to the report that northern commercial bodies were an- tagonizing conventions, "but we need just that sort of opposition, '' he said, ito make our project a success.' Loud ap- plause followed this sentiment.
 The movement was one of immense pos- abilities, he said. It was like the immense wealth that lay hidden in tbe mountains of his native state, Aabama-it needed to be brought to the surface.
 MT. Blackwell was elected temporary chairman and T. Barrett of West Virginia temporary secretary
 w. $. White of the Fredericksburg Free Lance offered a resolution providing for the appointment of a committee consisting of one member from each southern state, to be known as committee on business, which shall have power 10 provide for the organization of permanent association for he development of the industrial re- sources of the south. This resolution was adopted unanimously.
 On Motion of MT. Yancey of Florida committee on creden tias, consisting of one member from each southern state and the District of Columbia, was appointed as fol- lows: B. c. Campbell of Alabama; J. K. Jones of Arkansas; M. P. Cooper, Florida; c. F. Thomas, Jr., Georgia; A. B. Howard, Jr;. Marylsndi na Wallace Il Nll,s Me. sp1 cspo nsslpssp a A soah aHat tarsns aGasl pr. M. Souveille, Tennessee; J. B. Hamil- ton, Texas; F. w. Buckley, Virginia; J. l.. Barrett, West Virginia and w. F. Rogers, District of Columbia.
 Letters of regret in not being able to at- tend were read from Vice. President Ste- venson, Secretary Herbert and others. letter from B. H. Warner, president of the board of trade of Washington, D. o., was interrupted by Mir. Irvine of Alabama, who mouthed populists' who were injuring the south, was out of order, as was any political criticism.
 The chairman promptly ruled that Irvine's point was well taken, but another delegate thought the convention had no right to suppress anything in any letter. The chairman insisted. however, that and reaffirmed bis decision.
 The report of the committee on creden- tials, admitting as delegates all from the south who were present, was adopted with an amendment providing that representa- lives Of northern, eastern and western bodies, to who m invitations have been ex tended, should be admitted to the floor, but without the right to vote.
 Vice. presidents were selected by the state delegations as follows: Alabama, J. F. Johnston; Arkansas, W. c. Vincenheller; Florida, D. H. Yancey; Georgia, Levi Ballard; Maryland, l.. M. Carter, Jr,; Louisiana, w. H. Wise; Mississippi. s. D. Lee; Missouri, D. B. Burnes; North Carolina, E. A. Evart; A. A. Arthur; Texas, D. P. Marshall; Vir- einia, w. B. Gay; West Virginia, J. 5. Berry, and the District of Columbia, g.. s. Yorder.
 After the committee on plan and scope had been appointed to arrange plan for the permanent organization and estabiish- ment of permanent southern exhibition in Washington, the convention took re- cess until 8 O clock.
 At 4 o'clock the convention met to hear papers on appropriate topics. A letter from Hamilton Disston of Philadelphia on the development of the sugar industry in the south was read by one of the secreta- ries. MT. Disston predicted that it was question of but a short time before the south would supply the entire home de- mand for sugar. One of the secretaries read paper prepared in behalf of Georgia, by Col. Isaac W. Avery.
 The next paper read was that of Capt. Hugh Colquitt on Florida phosphates.
 MT. l.. c. Irvine, representing the Con- mercial club of Mobile, made an interesting