Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-16
nIBUSlNESS VS. POLITICS.

1t would seem that Alabama is to b9 Kept in the throes of political agita- tibn no matter how much it may disturb business prospects or how seriously it mhy delay returning prosperity. l wish to enter a protest against that, and mpuld appeal to the business people and business interests of the state to pre- Nent it. 5.
 The favorable conditions that surround the industries of this district, than which there has never been brighter, would ordinarily attract capital and bring set tiers without any further fact than the announcement of them. But the world now knows of Birmingham's supremacy in iron production, likewise of her pros poets Tor steel, yet capital and immlgra- ton are coy in coming here, while other sections of the south less favored are receiving liberal additions of both.
 There are many reasons for this but among the most potent is the fact that Birmingham. instead of being fully alive and actively at work pressing her ad- vantases, is allowing the minds of her people to be diverted by politics, while others are concentrated on business. In fact, Alabama politics is, in my judg- ment. just now doing more to injure Alabama than dreamed of by her public spirited citizens
 Capital and immigration are hard to attract to community that does not invite them, or promise the fullest protec- tion and welcome when they do come. Discussing politics to the neglect of a great opportunity that Is being offered at our doors to advance our material interests are very weak arguments with which to attempt the attraction of either capital or immigration.
 From the first inception of the effort to have Alabama fittingly represented at Atlanta the people of the state should have been easily interested, but on the contrary it has been one of the most diff cult and worrying that ever tested the loyalty of any set of men who sought to serve their state and advance its well fare. Still the work has been done. and now comments itself to the people of the state to make 1t a success
 
 It is yet far from being complete as the board designed it. The work was un- dertaken with definite promises from different portions of the state, many of which are unfulfilled either in whole or part, and as consequence the .women's department has not been put in. The patriotic, devoted women. who have la bored so increasingly and have accumu- lated most valuable collection, are still without funds to make display.
 
 They are about to turn the results of their work over to others, where at best the interest will be divided in it. This is really shameful, and If the board had the funds promised this could yet be avoided, but as matters now stand the board is poWerlesS to prevent 1t. In the face of this crying demand upon the entire state is it not astounding that Alabama poli- ilc1ans and statesmen @ can meet and discuss politics with not word and a cent for this great enterprise? It is said that Nero fidded while Rome was burning but verify it seems that Alabama politicians are about as in different to the material interests of their state. With undeveloped wealth greater than any other section of the known world, with a clima te and soil unsur- passed on the face of the globe, and an opportunity at hand to proclaim these truths in most thorough and convnc- ing manner to thousands who really wish tosee and know of them, Alabama is still being retarded because her people are so busy talking politics, that they can't help the Atlanta exhibit. Truly, Nero fddles while Rome is burning.
 l do not claim more patriotism or de- Votion to Alabama than I know thou sands of her citizens possess, but they have been lulled into indifference to this enterprise, when. in my judgment, 1t is now the one supreme, crying demand upon the people of the entire state to make it a brilliant success. If l had a thousand tongues to proclaim this fact l would wish for more and feel that they would all be inadequate to do the matter justice.
 A Ia bamiaDS can rise to ba i,,,portapoa and value of this exhibit and they should do so at once. Relegate politics severely to the rear for the next four months. Talk business and Alabama's wonderful prospects during that time and there will be such returns as will literally as- tonish the natives. This is the oppor- tunfty of century to help Alabama and it must not be neglected. r-.
 N. r. THOMPSON.