The age-herald., 1898-10-19

a speech at Woodawn, and did not at that time refer to the suburbanites as Indians. They were the choicest people in the coun- ty then.
 "They say the keynote of annexation is sewerage" he continued,". ''I admit that, even they acknowledge that they will have to wait to make thee improvements. If it took Birmingham such long time to get out to Jonesville, which is only a mile away, to make improvements, 1t would take about ten year to get out to Wood lawn"
 Opposed to Snap Judgment
 George F. Wheelock said he was prima- rily in favor of annexation, and that it was bound to come, but he was opposed to snap judgment.
 He said that nearly every man in the house made his living in Birmingham, and that the question should be looked with some moderation, but he didn'a want an- nexation forced on Woodlawn unless they wanted it.
 Capt. w. J. Pasrkes said it was a live question: He admitted that annexation must come, out not now, and especially by the methods in which Birmingham pro- posed to "railroad" Woodlawn into the bis city. Woodlawn has 5000 inhabitants and BlrmlnBndm Zl,UUU, or Just OilS-HlHth. NoSN lawns debt is $2O,O0O, or just one-eightietn of Birmingham's $160O,OO0.
 Woodlawn has better health than Bir- mingham. Its natural drainage is toward the creek, and not toward Birmingham. He said their schools were better; that Woodlawn would get no police or fire pro- lection, and denied in fact, that Woodlawn would receive any of the benefits Birming- ham claimed 1t would
 Charged Rottenness He intimated that there was great deal of rottenness in the management of city affairs in Birmingham, and that there were many worthless men making a good fat liv- ing out of the city's funds. He said he preferred Woodlawn "where we can jerk our ofIicials<out of office if they don't suit us'
 Joe Hail came out to be informed. He said he admired Woodlawn. and thought i've should let good enough alone' He felt hurt that Woodlawn had not been in- vited to participate in the discussion last Friday He sand that even if the present administration made promises to Wood- lawn and carried them out that future ad- ministrations would disregard and revoke them.
 Lieutenant wood Salu W OOuldWH uiu hO' owe it's existence to Birmingham, but to the great mineral resources of the valley. Dupont Thompson said now was not time for annexation He said the most senslpie argument he had heard in favor of Greater Birmingham was one of John Abbott's, who said when he missed the late car to ms home in the suburbs, he would console him self during the long walk by the thought that he was living in Birmingham
 He also read an extract from J. K. Me Donalds interview in yesterdays Age Herald. With the ten miles of territory which Birmingham proposed to take ln' and give no police protection, bad Blr- mingham' would become even bladder.
 J.B. Gibson was called for He con graduated the city administration on the excellent condition which the speakers or the evening said it was in. He showed that the statement that Bir- mingham's tax revenue of $64,0OO was mis- leading because it collects about as much from licenses as from taxes. He also showed how the suburban towns, ,Woodlawn among the number, contributed to the sup port of Birmingham's saloons, from which she gets so much of her revenue
 Not His Private Opinion
 My private opinion on this subpect,' said Mr. Gibson, shall not in the least in- fuence my vote a member of the legls- lature. was elected more as the repre- sentative of Woodawn than of any other part of Jefferson county and I shall vote according to your wishes.
 q oppose the Lane resolution because 1t takes in too much territory. Many man. ufacturing concerns will not come to dis trict where they have to pay municipal taxes.
 .'We must think of this sewerage ques- tion We cannot empty into Village creek because it flows through Pratt City. We must eventually connect with the big sew craze system that will drain this valley We should have this in view in discussing our sewerage plans."
 He referred to the fact that suburbanite when away from home always registers from Birmingham" He said that Greater Birmingham must of necessity be a reality in the future and that Woodlawn should realize this in forming its municipal plans
 Captain Parkes in explaining statement he had made, said that unfortunately he contributed about as much to Birmingham s saloons as any citizen of Woodlawn, but not for any consideration would he have a saloon in Woodlawn simply for revenues sake. He was loudly applauded.
 H. M Archibald wanted to know why James Bowron did not advocate the an- nexation of Pratt City and Ensley. He said it was because the Tennessee com pany owned so much property out there.
 Only One Expansionist
 Jack Graves then made the only speech of the evening In favor of annexation.
 ''It it had not been for the street car lines we would all be living immediately around Birmingham. Birmingham has at great expense put up all of it's municipal improve ments and is entitled to help from all of us. We live on the outside and enjoy all these. benefits of the city without paying a cent for their support.'