Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-03
B|G LABOR DEMONSTRATION Eugene V. Debs Greeted by
 Hosts of Workingmen. THE GREAT PULLMAN STRIKE Described by the Visitor, Whose Speech at O'Briens Opera House Was the Occa-
 sion of Big Ovation.

The great labor element was in it's glory on Sunday evening in Birmingham.
 The occasion was the visit of Eugene ". Debs the organizer of the American Railway union.
 At 6 o'clock the great space in the un- ion passenger station was swarmlng with brawn and sinew of Jefferson coun- ty workingmen. Delegations from all the trades organizations in the city and county were on the inside of the railing as a committee of reception of the great labor leader
 When the Central of Georgia passenger train pulled into the union depot all eyes were centered on it. and when Eugene V. Debs appeared on the platform loua cheering shout of welcome went up.
 No sooner had MT Debs feet touched the ground when stout men rushed 10 him. grasped him and, raising him 10 their shoulders, fairly carried him Tn tnls elevated position to the portals or me Morris, where it was at first lntended that he should remain. It was decided, however to. domicile him at the Flor ence, and there he was taken and com fortably quartered in room 3, which, py the way, was the same occupied py MT. Coxey on his recent visit to Birmingham
 MT Debs stated that the greeting ac- corded him was as fiattering as could be desired and was greatly appreciated py him. It made him feel that his labor was at least appreciated in Birmingham.
 A Halt in the Programme.
 It had been announced through the col umns of the State Herald and other news papers of this city that Mir. Debs would speak at the opera house. admission to which would be by ticket, for Whlch small fee would be charged. This fee was intended to cover the expense of adver- Using, rent of opera house, etc. large number of tickets had been disposed Of and many applications for reserved seats at the opera house box had been made early in the afternoon.
 Ahout 2 o'clock Chief of Police McDon- eld notified pr. Charles Whelan proprle- tor of the opera house, that the speaking would not be allowed, as 1t was Viola- tion of the law inasmuch as an admlssloh would be charged. This action on the part of Chief Mcdonald was the result Of a deliberation of the police commlsslon- CTS, so he sa1d
 When this was made known to Dr. Whelan he promptly wrote letter 10 MT Ben Theiss, manager Of the opera mousse notifying him of MT. McDonald's state ment closing by saying that rather man disappoint the people he would give them the use of the house gratis, so that an ad- mittance fee need not be charged
 Chief Mcdonald also met MT. w. H. Stanley, president of the Birmingham Trades council, who was also chairman of the reception and arrangement committee, and informed him or the edict of the police commission.
 MT. Stanley at once went to Mayor V an Hoose and stated the condition of affairs The mayor at once issued permit Tor the speaking Armed with this MT Stanley returned to Chief Mcdonald and presented it to him. The chief said this would not suffice, and the only aiterna- tive was to see the police commissioners After considerable time these gentlemen were gotten together, and after delib- erating the edict preventing the speak ing was revoked and the mayors action indorsed.
 At the Opera House.
 As soon as it became known that the speaking would take place great rush for seats was made, and it was but short time until seats were at premium. Long before the appointed hour every box and seat in the parquet and dress circle was occupied, and large number filled the galleries. Noticeable in the au- dience were a number of ladies. There were people present representing every walk of life, the merchant, physician, capitalist, politician and proIesslonai man as we'll as every class of labor.
 On the stage were delegations from all the trades unions, among them being number of ladies.
 When the curtain went up and the sight on the stage was disclosed mighty shout went up from the audience. which was prolonged for fully minute. The central figures in the group on the stage were Eugene V. Debs and w. Fl. stanley
 Speech of Introduction.
 When the shouts of applause from the audience died away, w. H. Stanley, pres- -sdent of the Birmingham Trades council, arose, and in the following we'll chosen words said
 Ladies and Gentlemen: I arise to per- form the most pleasant duty of my life, that of introducing our distinguished brother who has made our cause his tause and who for our sake was thrust behind prison bars by one who disgraces the ermine which was worn with dignity by such eminent jurists as Marshall, Chase and a host of others. But his inn prisonment has served purpose. Noth- Ing could have aroused labor to sense of their duty as the imprisonment of our brother. But let us hope that the plu-