Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-17
SOUTHERN PROSPERITY Bright Era Dawning if the 0p- portunity is Seized. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK. What Mr. Thompson of Birmingham, Ala,
 Thinks of Southern
 Politics.
Louisville courier-Journal.

Louisville Courier-Journal
 N. F. Thompson of Birmingham, Ala, was in the city a short while yesterday afternoon on his return from a business trip through Pennsylvania in the interest of his city. MT. Thompson was former ly resident of this city, and has many friends throughout the state. He is t'4e secretary of the Birmingham Commercial club and also secretary of the Alabama Commercial association, composed of all the commercial bodies of the state, as well as the press of Alabama. In addi- ton to his duties in both of these organl- cations, he was further selected by the board of managers who got up the Ala bama building and exhibit at the Atlanta exposition as their secretary. In these several capacities he has necessarily been brought into very close relations with the progress and development of hls state, which he says is just now rece,V- ing fresh impetus from the Atlanta expo sition.
 Large numbers of capitalists and pros pectors, he said have visited Atlanta, and they have given much closer lnspec- tion of southern resources than perhaps at any time since the war. He IS very enthusiastic over southern prospects Tor this reason. He thinks immigration 10 the south will be larger during the com ing year than ever before if property en- couraged by southern cities and by the railroads of the south.
 During Mir Thompson's trip in Penn sylvania he was invited by the Johns town board of trade to deliver an address before a meeting of the citizens. The JohnstoWn Democrat speaks of Il as one of the largest gatherings ever asseH- bled in that city, and compliments MT. Thompson's address in very hatterlng terms.
 He said yesterday that Atlanta, Ga, was a most striking illustration of what civic pride and public spirit will do for city He painted in glowing colors how that spirit has taken Atlanta from struggling village at the close or the war. with practically nothing to encour- age her people and no natural resources, and made it a great, prosperous anu populous city at the present time.
 Just prior to the inauguration of Pres ident Cleveland in 1S93,' he said, Il was preparing an article for one of our Bir- mingham papers on the subject or HOW to Build Up City, and I went to At lanta to interview some of her prom- nent citizens for that article. Among others I went to the Hon. Hoke smith, secretary of the interior, who was on the eve of his departure for Washington found his outer office crowded with peo- pie waiting to see him. Elbowing my way to his inner office I sent in my card and asked for an interview. He came to the door, greeted me hurriedly and said: T have two stenographers at work ar ranging matters that must be completed before I leave, and these gentlemen are my clients, most of them, and it will be impossible for me to grant you mo- ments time.' Having set my heart on that interview said to him: MT. Smith, I only wish few moments talk with you about Atlanta, and I believe 1t will help Atlanta if you will grant It. h. stantly he replied: Certainly, then you shall have it. will always take time to talk or work for Atlanta Now that Is the spirit that pervades all classes in At lanta and has made her what she is to- day, claiming the attention and admira- ton of the world"
 MT. Thompson was asked regarding the political outlook In his state, but said he only preferred to talk on industrial lines. He did say, however. that the sill yer question had split the democratic party open. about as it had in Kentucky, and he thought similar fate was in store for Alabama.
 "It is certain to fall into either popu- list or republican hands," he said, "either of which will seriously retard the indus trial growth of the state. for see no way of bringing the free silver and sound money factions together"
 MT. Thompson left on the midnight train for Birmingham.