Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-14
OF WORK FOR BIRMINGHAM
The Retiring President Speaks tneouraglngy
 of the Clubs Future.
sEcRETARYs REPORT SHOWS UP WELL
President Rhodes Makes a Brilliant Speech and Warmly Defends the Honor of the 'sCity of His Love''-"Down With
 Repudiation,' His War Cry.

The Commercial club of Birmingham held it's second annual meeting last night in the club rooms with a large attend ance of members, the strongest busi- ness men of the city. During the past year honest efforts which have been fruitful in almost every instance, nave been made for the progress of Birmlng- ham and for the aggrandisement ot her people. The club has worked hard Tor the people of Birmingham. and it Will continue in this line for 1t begins the new year with renewed life and Nigor During the past year President Moore, Secretary Thompson and the others have been untiring in their efforts to make the club a power.
 The meeting last night was called to order by President Moore. who stated that the first thing in order was re- port of the retiring president, which he presented, as follows:
 The Presidents Report
 To the Commercial Club:
 To review the last years work of the club is to recount rather its laudable undertakings than to point out accom- plished results, and yet a great step for ward has been made within the last year in the recognition of this clubs anfu- ence both at home and abroad. The club was formed two years ago out Of the necessities of the hour We were then on the~eve of the severest panic our country has ever known. So long as we were prosperous we felt independ- ent and saw no need of such an organl- Zation; but when our mining and man. ufacturing industries were shut down, our laborng people unemployed, our merchants without customers and all classes burdened by the general distress fbrouoboIIt tho land realized our dependence and felt the need of our neghbors' sympathy and help. We came together in the Commercial club where we can discuss questions of interest to our people and have united action In advancing the common good.
 It is the purpose of this club to deal fairly with every interest of the com munity, and that they may have the ability so to do every good citizen nav ing the public welfare at heart should become a member and help us by ms counsels.
 One of the most inviting fields in which this club can work with lasting benefit to this section and to the whole state IS to aid in securing immigration There IS now an opportunity such as we never had before to secure superior class or I'm migrants from different sections or our country and especially the great north west There is an active disposition on the part of these people to come south, and thousands of them have already se- cured homes in Georgia and other south ern states, which is but the beginning or what is to follow.
 Alabama should let these people know that she is the richest state in all this un- ion in varied resources, and she should press them with an invitation to make their homes in her mild and healthful climate, where they can find happiness and abundant prosperity.
 This club has already taken up this work in connection with it's efforts to se- cure state exhibit at the Atlanta eXpo- sition, where the world can see speci- mems of Alabama's wonderful resources.
 It isi to be hoped that the people of this state will see in this their golden oppor- tunity for lasting material benefit, and fail not in making an exhibit creditable to our great state.
 This club is performing most valua- hla work in collecting and disseminating reliable information to those seeking homes ill the south Some people have become discouraged because the club has not started several industrial enter rrises within the last year. AS matter cf fac the club has not had dollar to put into any enterprises, nor does 1t lrol"Se to operate any industries, and in it's organization 1t was not contem- plated that it should do so. We believe the growth and prosperity of the city depends upon each individual making d success of his own business. It is for him to decide in what he will invest his money and what business he is most capable of managing. When he makes this decision the club is here to give him reliable information as to the advanr tages of our city for the establishment of his enterprise.
 This club is needed as a radiating cen- ter from which an intelligent public opln- ion is obtained on all business questions Whatever legislation affects our business interests most properly it Is the duty of this club to act upon. We want capital to feel secure in it's investments in this state, and we want no laws enacted through prejudice or ignorance to its injury. We want every industrious, law abiding citizen to be protected in all of his rights in the pursuit of happiness.
 There is nothing more important to every individual of this city than the maintenance of the public credit in strict honor. This club has labored to that end in the past and should continue so to labor until 1t is accomplished. It is useless to urge the city administration to pay the interest on the bonds; for however anxious they are to do so 1t is impossible unless the people provide the means. And the people should provide the means at the earliest day possible with which to pay this city's honest debts. We need to encourage in our community and state a debt paying sen timent, which is required both by hon. esty and good policy.
 This being the only organization of its kind in the city it should reflect the sentiments of the community on business questions That can be done only by taking hold of these questions in a cour- ageous spirit and acting upon them with an enlightened intelligence that is aided