The age-herald., 1898-10-16

The figures of the first days poll of The Age-Herald to ascertain the sentiment of the people on the Greater Birmingham question indicate that the business men and residents of the city proper favor an- nexation.
 Nearly all of the men included in the city vote who hold negative views reside in the suburban districts and work in Birming- ham.
 In East Lake, Avondale, woodlawn and North Birmingham a majority of the citi- gems interviewed are opposed to being in cluded in the extension movement
 great many men have not sufficiently considered the question and will not ex- press an opinion. Then there is another class which does not care to take stand in the early stage of any movement
 In the incorporated towns of Woodlawn and Avondale the leading objection to an- nexation were that by being under gen. eral regime whisky could be sold; taxes would be increased and fears were enter tained as to whether Birmingham would extend Improvements fast enough. An other point raised was that the representa- tion in the board of Aldermen from these places would be so small that they would have practivally no voice in the conduct of the city.
 Many citizens registered as voting mo in the poll are against the Lane resolution and not annexation They believe in progress and expansion, but they do not believe that the citizens of Birmingham should vote on the matter. Others claim that if they were assured that Birming- ham would extent streets, lights and other Improvements at once they would be in favor of annexation.
 The movement started on small scale some months ago has assumed gigantic proportions and the question was the live wire of Birmingham yesterday. Advocates on both sides were talking and 1t is un- derstood that fight against the move has already been organized.
 Mayor Evans Favors Vote
 On being asked yesterday for his opinion on the outcome of the citizens meeting Friday night Mayor Evans had this to say:
 Speaking for myself alone, can see no objection to the proposition contained in the resolution which was adopted. l never fear to submit question of public interest to the popular vote. Men do, and ever will, differ upon matters of this kind and there is no fairer, safer or better way to settle differences than by ballot. do not think it would be exactly fair to leave the ques- ton of extension or annexation to the com munities severally, but it is fair that all parties at interest should vote. Suppose, for instance, that the voters of Birming- ham proper should not want an extension and Avondale or Woodlawn should. Then do not believe the partnership should be forced upon our present corporation, and again, suppose acting upon the Bowron resolution, Woodlawn should desire to come in and Avondale should not, how could we reach the former without running around the latter? It would break the proposed link"
 The mayor further said: 'I am very thankful indeed for the interest manifested by parties who attended that meeting, and to notice that all of them agreed upon the proposition that the whole matter should be submitted. to the popular will at the ballot box. The members of the present admin istration have no interest at stake. save the welfare of Birmingham, and I am sure
 
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