Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-14
LEADING CITIZENS,
AaE- HERALD BUREAU,

OGiVA'A9 HAidsB 1Cpts
 In general interview with few of the representative business men of Selma and of the state today, your reporter gathered the following expressions regarding the outlook for the black belt section the con- ing season:
 Capt. W. P. Armstrong, president City National bank: ''I think the outlook for Selma and the black belt is favorable. Selma will receive something like 100, ,000 bales of cotton this season, the value of which will be s, 500, GOO. The average for the past ten years has been s7 900 bales. ''
 "Captain, what do you think about this local opposition to rairoads?''
 "I think those who are opposed to rail- roads for Selma are worse enemies to our interests than the railroads could possibly be. l have never seen 8 good town injured by railroad yet. Selma began her growth with the growing ofrairoad interests. Ws got cheaper freight rates than any of the surrounding cities. l am for railroads first, last and all the time.o
 He referred to MT. Inman's article in the Atlanta Constitution as a we'll written ar- ticle and iudorsing his views regarding the general prosperity of the south.
 Captain Armstrong is in good spirits and expresses his opinion freely.
 J. H. Nunelee. managing editor Morn ing Times: "I believe the people have some cause for encouragement. The cot ton crops will be shorter than was ex. pected, but the general outlook is brighter than it has been for some time past. Selma is solid and her citizens enterprising.
 Col. R. M. Nelson, president Commer- cal bank: s'I could tell you better about the cotton crop two weeks later. My opin- ion is that we will have 8 good crop, but l do not like to see these late rains. fear they will be disastroau to an extent. do not think the people of Selma are in any manher under obligations to the rail- roads; in fact. think our city is discrimi- mated against in many instances.
 R. ap c. Jones, president Bank of Selma: "I feel encouraged and believe that nearly all our people do. I cannot tell much about the cotton crop since the late rains, but have reasons to believe we will have good crops.'
 for Selma and the black belt section are bright. There is nothing to cause us to expect flood of prosperity. but our far mers are in good condition and we are hopeful of good crop of cotton and corn. Selma is all right.''
 c. w. Hooper, wholesale grocer: 'sThe reports in the past few days have been rather discouraging in regard to the com ing cotton crop. I fear that our receipts will be at least 15 per cent less than we ex- pected in August. The recent rains have been injurious to some extent.'
 MT. Millspaugh, the popular proprietor of Hotel Albert: 's1ravel is increasing, and altogether the outlook is somewhat brighter.''
 MILITARY MATTERS.
 At a meeting of the Hardee Light In- fahtry last night Lloyd Hooper, captain, Tom Bender and Hooper Adams, first lieu. tenants, resigned from the com pany which they have rendered such faithful service for several years past. They will join the Dragons for the purpose of infusing new life and energy into this company. A meet ing of the Dragons will be held tonight for the purpose of reorganization.
 The islet of Massowa, in the Red sea,