Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-16
CITIZENS MASS MEETING Called for Friday Night at the
 Opera House TO TALK ALABAMA'S EXHIBIT I. C. DeLeon of Mobile and Others to Address the Gathering-A Thorough Business
 Meeting of the Fund Com
 mittee Held.
TO TALK ALABAMA'S EXHIBIT

reading room of the Commercial club last night in response to a call for meeting of the business men of Birmingham. The meeting was primarily for the pur- pose of hearing reports from the chair men of the various sub-committees ap- pointed to solicit contributions towards the fund for an exhibit at the Atlanta exposition, but after hearing the report of one or two cliairmen the meeting was transformed into one of discussion. Sew eral gentlemen present participated in the discussion and manifested consider able enthusiasm on the subject of an Alabama exhibit at the Atlanta exposi- tion. Everybody had the Interests of Birmingham at heart and every plan suggested or resolution offered was in futherance of the best policy to pursue in creating universal enthusiasm and en- listing the heraty cooperation of every citizen of Birmingham.
 MT Alex T. London called the meeting to order, and stating it's object requested the secretary of the general committee to call the names of the chairmen of the various sub-committees.
 MT London said "the general commit tee had but one object in view in call ing the business men together, and that object appeals to every man in Bir- mingham, and that was to get the people of Birmingham to pull together in the interest of Birmingham.
 There Is no possibility of a job in 1t; 1t will put us on footing never be- fore occupied by us. I have lived here five years and in that time many sub scriptions have been started, but there has never been time that there didn't turk in the minds of some a suspicion of a job in the background. have not people of the city were together in any movement. We have talked about what we have, but have never done anything. One of the most liberal men In Birming ham told me he had been subscribing eight years and never paid anything yet. I had it stated in the papers that no subscriptions would be asked for at this meeting in order that none might be scared away TOT fear of being called upon. I wanted to present facts to the people. We all realize if Birmingham grows we will reap our reward, and if she does not grow we won't get it. Let every man put his shoulder to the wheel and get to work.
 At the meeting of the general com mittee last Saturday we decided to in- vite the Trades council to send repre- sentatives to this meeting. We wanted them to feel that they are just as much interested in Birmingham as anybody. They are represented here tonight. We
 
 to the movement.
 "We don't desire any compulsion put upon any man as to what he shall give, but let every man give something, how ever small the contribution may be; if it is but nickle, we have accomplished one thing, we have got the community together"
 MT. J. s. Acton was present as a repre7 sentative of theTrades' council, and was called upon by MT. London to make talk. He said:
 "The labor of Birmingham is in favor of anything that will benefit it and that which benefits the district will benefit la bor We are with you in spirit, whether in finances or not. Ton know the vicis- situdes we have undergone during the past two or three years. We may not be able to assist you financially, but we are with you for anything that will help Bir- minghan."
 MT. Acton was appointed chairman of the labor subcommittee with authority to select his own committee.
 Mr. M. V. Joseph, chairman of the sub committee appointed to solicit subscrip- tions among the dry goods, clothing and millinery dealers, stated that they had succeeded in raising between S400 and $500 during the day.
 MT. London urged pull all together. He said the railroads passing through Birmingham would grant stop-over priv 1leges during the exposition, and reduced rates cOulQ De StCuIeu DctWcch <1tietlitei and Birmingham. By that means, he said. iSoQo0 or 10000 people could be brought here
 MT Cabaniss suggested that instead of hearing further reports from chairmen or sub-committees, the meeting resolve It. self into one of general discussion as to plans, etc. He wanted the sub-commit- tees to get to work at once
 Secretary Thompson of the Commercial club suggested that the matter Of solicit ,;,14;A 1,n a mass meeting of the citizens of Birming- ham could be held. and suggested Friday night and OBrien's opera house as good time and place for9the same. MT. T. c. DeLeon, he said, would come over and address the meeting if had at that time. MT. DeLeon. he said, had been in Atlanta for some time and was thor oughly posted on what was being done. and could arouse the enthusiasm of the people of Birmingham. By going at 1t systematically, he believed it could be made bowling success, and he didn't know any better way to begin than by holding a mass meeting at which promi- nent men would speak.
 Considerable discussion here took place as to whether it would be better to let the sub-committees go ahead solicit ing subscriptions or have them wait until the mass meeting shall have been held.
 MT. E. H. Cabaniss favored the former, and offered a motion to that erect' but withdrew 1t later in favor of one or- fered by Mir. Sig Steiner.
 MT London appealed to everybody in Birmingham to subscribe to this expo- sition fund.
 ''I want everybody to give, regardless of the amount, but to give something; then we will have meeting Friday might lthet Twill surprise everybody even Mr. DeLeon himself. l wish l could get the people of Birmingham to en- thuse on this subject-to feel that the in- terests of Birmingham are at stake. Ev- cry man in this community is part of the government, and the success or the town dependS on him."