The age-herald., 1898-11-11

COuhtAl CudIIlDGT III DOoy. 4HSy oc~H gathered there a number of citizens and committee of the board of aldermen.
 When the roll was called the following names were turned in as delgates repre- senting each locality.
 EAST LAKE-J. R. Dnk, W. A. Williams, W. Js Martin, A. J. McDaniel, W. J. Prowell, J. T. Shugart, Ely Davis.
 BEAT 34-D. c. Johnson, O. b. Schwartz, Gilbert Barton, August Spanagal, William Spencer, W. G. Beckley SMITHFIELD-W. H. Stank, J. 10. Richardson, c. L. Fletcher, E. Martin, J. E. Davis, J. W. Delacy, William Henry
 ANONDALE-C. P. Beddow, Isaac Price, J. w. Smith. W. c. Hanlin, Gilbert Carter, pr. Caffey, Dr. J. c. Abernathy.
 WEST END-C. H. Worrel, J. V. Glass, s. N. Ward, P. s. Nulner, w. R. Weaver, R. c. Gibson, II. A. Smith.
 ELYTON-S. E. Green, P. E. Green, H. J. Salter, c. M. Betts,- R. w. Owen, M. F. Lanier, J. H. Allen.
 NORTH BIRMINGHAM-M. A. May, J. F. Tomerlin, A. c. Jackson, c. H. Un- german, W. E. Hansberger.
 WoODLAWN-J. s. Kennedy, R. W. Cobb, R. Dupont Thompson, K. c. De- loney, Joe c. Hail, H. M. Horton, J. B. Burns.
 Mayor Evans had called the meeting to order and stated its object. He was made permanent chairman with John Sparrow secretary.
 They Were Too Poor MT. Stanley as chairman of the Smith field committee, came to say for the people of that district that they were opposed to annexation for several reasons. They were too poor. Something had been said of sew craze. The entire valuation of the prop erty in Smithfeld would not pay for this. It would tax them to death
 "Our well water Is little scarce during drouths,' he continued "but we can do without your pure and wholesome Cahaba W a non n 1fxra Uyith gas and we don't want electric lights and l understand that you cannot now pay for your schools"
 He then referred to territory incorpor- ated several years ago and the advantages it had received.
 "They have nothing but a few fire plugs, and two or three times a month they come down to get their stock out of the pound" Applause and laughter from suburbanites) Mayor Evans stated to the gentleman that this was not the time to discuss the fitness of incorporation The question then was whether conference would be held.
 Former Governor Cobbs, of woodlawn, said that the delegates were there to re- ceive a proposition from Birmingham. Mayor Evans said that the board of al- dermen had not committed itself either way on annexation. They were open to convic- tion.
 ''we are all friends and neighbors," said he. "Why can't we discuss this matter calmly and dispassionatey. We want to know why you are opposed to annexation. If 1t is not best the board of aldermen will not try to annex you" Applause.)
 Chairman Kennedy. of the Woodlawn committee, said that he understood there were to be some inducements offered the suburban towns to come in. His committee could do nothing to bind itself They were simply authorized to say that Woodlawn was against annexation. HH3 l.
 Did Not Want Proposition
 John Shugart, delegate of the East Lake committed announced that he would vote against annexation first last and all the time no matter what inducements were offered. 1 A
 At this juncture all the committee agreed to enter the conference ana the names were handed to the secretary.
 Alderman Gray moved that the resolu- ton under which the conference was called should be taken up and discussed under its different heads. , fai
 This was opposed by former Governor Cobbs. He said that the committees did not come seeking annexation. Those seek ing annexation should state their induce ments or grounds. The delegates wanted Birmingham's reasons for advocating an- nexation.
 There were several other speakers against the motion and Alderman Moore moved to adjourn.
 Alderman Gray arose with resolution in his hand and asked MT. Moore to with draw his motion for few minutes.
 The resolution was the one printed above.
 Cracked a Joke
 A long, tall lanky sunny-topped delegate, with his hair trimmed la James J. Cor bett forced his arms through the crowd, while his head was already above 1t, and moved as an amendment that the question be not taken up again for ten years.
 eAd ts IhCft a In doing so he explained that he had never vet officially committed himself on the proposition. He was open yet to conv1e- ton. He did not think that the spirit of the resolution under which the meeting was called was to cut off discussion. He therefore opposed Gray resolution, because he was not convinced that it was inexped- tent to further consider the problem. His substitute was then offered.
 c. F. Beddow, of Avondale, moved to lay the substitute on the table, but withdrew at the request of Colonel K. Il. Pearson, who spoke in its defense.
 .sI am sure," he began that the people from the suburbs did not come here to take snap judgment an cut off the discussion of Greater Birmingham. They can pass MT. Gray's resolution. The power is certainly one-sided. The gentlemen coming here and after finding themselves in the majority would be unegenerous if not exceedingly discourteous for them to pass this resolu- ton.
 MT. Gray's resolution could not be adopted under the spirit of this confer 'ence This is simply conference of friends and neighbors to find out what their differences are. It is not binding. 1t seems that you have come here to vote everything down. That's all right-we know you are against annexation as now proposed, but you were not invited here to vote at all-that is in the sense to commit yourselves"
 The speaker argued that Mayor Evans resolution was in a spirit of fairness and concession. There could be nothing fairer. By carrying MT. Gray's resolution the in- vitation of the city council and of its com matter would be throttled.
 .'Do you speak a representative of the board of aldermen?" asked Alderman Gray.
 Not a Candidate
 ''No," replied Colonel Pearson. sI am here as a citizen of Birmingham without