Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-28


 one of the most successful, most interest ing and most suggestive meetings ever held. Delegates were there from Oregon to Florida and from Maine to Texas. One of the most stniking features of the meet ing was the character of the delegates. They were sober, earnest, business men men who were not out for frol1c- though enjoying their handsome treat ment heartily-but who had great objects in view and were there to confer as to how to accomplish those objects most wisely and with most permanent results.
 While they differed on some points and argued their differences with determina- tion born of conviction, yet when they came to decision they were unanimous. Thus after two hours argument on the policy in railroad matters, when the con clusions were summed up by the commit tee in charge and the call of states began, there was not dissenting vote.
 It was determined to enter into con test with the railroads, if necessary, and to bring to bear all the power and in- fluence, by cooperation, of every com mercial travellers organization in the United States their combined member ship is said to be about 100000. The pur- pose was clear also to unite in this move ment should the railroads force the ls- sue, the leading jobbers and manufactu- rers in the United States (quite number of these were in the convention as dele gates, among them the head of the great Drummond Tobacco company of St. Iouis) It was manifestly the purpose to enter legislative halls in every part or the union in a contest for rates for all clti- zens-laborin men, farmers, miners, fruit growers, retail merchants, Jobbefs, travelling men, and manufacturers ana others to make every citizen in the United States personally interested in the rates to be secured. The temper of the associa- ton was further shown by a unanimous vote instructing the national board or A,-t t1nxa oh hp O n national railroad committee in his plans and appropriating 5000 with which to be- gin the organization of the forces ana to set those plans in operation. FolloWlng this came the election by exclamation or MT E. E. Smith of Atlanta as chairman of the national railroad committee-in It. self significant fact, as most important work is yet to be done in this section. AS southerner born and reared, this gentle man believes in the south and In her future: he holds that this is the hour or her opportunity and believes that the railroads will yet come to see that tnelr policy in this section Is retard1ng the progress of those industries by which the railroads themselves will be first bene- fited The chairman of the national ra'i- road committee Is not the kind or man to be reckless or unreasonable; put ne is man very determined ana persistent when his convictions tell him he is in the right His sincerity and earnestness have given him a strong hold upon the business men-a hold that will pc strengthened by fuller understanding of the interests involved in ms worh.
 A Provision Against Cyclones, Etc.
 The second most important features of the conventions action, due to the forethought of MT. Max Robinson, pres ident Georgia division, was an amend ment to the national constitution where by the national board can, Tn great emergency, such as might have been oc- casioned by the recent cyclones, levy an Assessment not to exceed $2, so as to keep the indemnity fund intact. Such an emergency has never arisen, ana It Will probably never arise, but 1t was deemed the part of wise business economy 10 provide for emergencies. This change also enabled the association to soiicit new members in states where the law has heretofore prevented. Otner aInenu- ments and changes will be given iater'
 The Reception of the Delegates
 bv the citizens of Terre Haute elicited inc warmest praise on every hand, Tor IL showed a cordial generous spirit or Wei come. The decorations of the clty were on a magnificent scale, but IL was tne comment of very one that better taste was never displayed. Ornate ana beau tiful in their very simplicity they De, spoke at once a people both cultured ana intelligent. terprise the solid, substantial coniIhea ctl. ciai nrosnerity of this thriving daughter of inc Wabash for on Wednesday even. ing procession fully two miles in length contained presentations or the Varioue industries that are giving to Terre Haute a most enviable reputation. whatever may have been the feelings of the vis- itors as they came, all went away Irlenos and well wishers of the city and It's peo- pie
 The state being entitled to six, one TOT
 .nas ,bor n fraction of were @Messrs Messrs. Max Roplnson of Savannah, James May of Augusta, r. C. Cashman, H. 10. Maddox anu f E. Smith of Atlanta and Joseph l1oVehsteli of Savannah. These were all actlVe' prompt and earnest in the various ses- sions of the convention. MT. Maddox was made chairman of a prominent commit fee; MT. Lovenstein was upon ahother, Messrs. Cashman and May were placeu upon two important committees each, while Messrs. Robinson and smith were of marked influence in the councils Of the leaders. The reelection Of Rev Aionzo Monk of Macon to the position or nationai chaplain was a decided compliment to that popular gentleman. The position of associate chaplain was created anu filled by the appointment of Rev. MT. Wilson, pastor of the Christian church at Fort Worth, Tex. held at Nashville, Tenn, in June, 1887. The Nashville boys, with John Ward at their head, worked heroically and cer- tainly deserve the thanks Of not alone post B, but of their entire city for their faithful and successful efforts.
 Other Constitutional Amendments.
 Among the acts of the national body those affecting their organic law are usu- ally of greatest interest. We note the foi- lowing:
 1. Amending article 4, section 1, so that the executive board may have power to empIov either the president or some other member, if more convenient, to do the work incidental to organizing new divi- sions.
 g. Allowing local posts to make spe- cial charge for post membership or post dues. Amending article g, section 1)
 B. The amendment requiring dues to De remtted direct to the national secretary was lost for want of constitutional ma jority.
 A. Article was so amended as 10 give the national board of directors power to cancel the charter of any division whose existence is not beneficial to the associa-