Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-04
THE CARNIVAL.
Some Things Said and Unsaid of Bir- mingham's Great Event Which
 Will Long Be Remembered.

That Birmingham did herself proud on Monday and yesterday there can be no | denial Within her gates were thousands
 upon thousands of strangers, all of whom
 were most joyously welcomed. Should there be any who have cause to say they
 regret having come to Birmingham to | enjoy the Carnival, the regret is beyond doubt with them alone.
 The Birmingham Carnival sociey had, through the press of the city, promised a rare treat in the shape of parades and they have fulfilled their promises far beyond the expectations of their most ar dent friends.
 The two night parades were as fine as ever witnessed in this or any other city, and the balls in honor of Rex Vulcan II. were simply perfect.
 Much credit is due to the police de- pertinent of the city for their efficient work during the two days and nights. Doubtless there is not another force of men of the same numerical strength in the United States who could have done so well as they. Of course there were many people who were relieved of pocket books, watches and jewelTy, but the fault was alone with themselves. Common sense should teach man that on such an occasion, when an immense throng is na turaly to be expected watch or diamond stud is safest under lock and key and why it is that women will per- sist in carrying their pocket-books in their hands is beyond our ken. It is an easy matter in a large crush of people for a villain to snatch purse or small
 parcel from woman's weak grasp and
 get away with it, yet the women folks,
 knowing all this, will persist in virtually
 holding out their purses and small par cels to thieves and then blame them for taking them. It is natural for a thief to steal and temptations should not be
 placed in his way
 Will the carnival result in any material
 good to Birmingham? many skeptics ask.
 The question is not really worth the ans
 wering. One might as well ask the ques-
 tion, Will eating ease ones hunger?"
 Let the skeptic figure upon the amount of money spent in the city during the two days and then estimate the benefits. Some people, arrow-minded 3tpI an ex-
 treme, will say only a chosen few were
 benefited. Be it so that chosen few
 were benefited. These few had to em- ploy extra help, money was necessarily
 spent in preparing for the visitors and
 this additional expense put into circula-
 ton funds which otherwise would have
 been unspent. But the State Herald
 figures out that every citizen of Birming-
 ham was, in one way or another benefit
 ed by the unusual influx of people.
 Not only were the merchants. hotel and
 restaurant men, saloonkeepers, railroads, liveryman and marketmen benefited but
 even the churches felt beneficial result
 from the two days festival, for there
 were many places opened where lunches
 were served. tine proceeds of which went to the exchequer of one or another of the city's churches.
 That the special committee of the Bir-
 mingham Carnival society chose we'll in
 naming B. M. Allen, Esq, as Rex Vulcan
 II. there can be no doubting. MT. Allen
 was eminentfy fitted for the exalted posi-
 tion and graced the throne most kingly.
 Of commanding appearance and excellent
 physique, he appeared before the people
 "every inch king" MT. Allen is not
 stranger to honors. He occupies the sec- ond highest position in the gift of the International Benevolent Protective Or der of Elks and will, no doubt, at the next election be chosen to the highest honor, that of grand exalted ruler. MT Allen is an able and astute attorney, standing high among his fellows in the Birmingham and Alabama Bar associa- tions. He is a man of wealth. accumu- lated by his own indomitable energy and is philanthropic to marked degree. He is a member of several of the leading se- cret organizations of the city in which he
 has been honored with high office The queen, Miss Momie Terrell, one of Birmingham's most charming social fa- vorftes, is a lovable woman. With rare qualities gifted with all the accomplish fffenfs and utterly void of sickly senti- mentality, to know her Is to love her. The first queen of carnival being a we'll known and popular matron, Mrs. William Reckling, 1t were fitting that her suc- csssor upon the throne should be maid, and in choosing Miss Terrell His Majesty showed great Judgment and decided taste. In her snow white garb Miss Ter