The age-herald., 1898-10-14
CITY FATHERS
 WILL TALK TONIGHT Of Greater Birmingham and Her Grow
 ing Boundaries. MANY CITIZENS INVITED 10 be Present and Discuss the Matter
 With Them.
 
CITIZENS LEAGUE BEING FORMED
By Number of Property Owners for Protection Against What They Con- sider Unjust tLegislation-To Take
 Active Part in City Politics.

Tonight the board of aldermen of Br- mingham will meet for the purpose of dis cussing the new charter for the city, which is to be applied for at the meet ng of the general assembly next month.
 The most important part of it to be ds- sion of the city limits will be asked for. and for this purpose Invitations have been sent to number of prom. .nent citizens of Birmingham, asking that they meet with the board and discuss the matter with them.
 Various opinions are be ng expressed on this subject. Many of the citizens favor the extens on of the limits as early as is practicable and they say that this means as early as possible. They favor anyth ng that is progressive. they say, and will help in the realization of Greater Birmingham. The following are few of the expressions heard on the subject yesterday:
 Opinions of Citizens
 'I am heartily opposed to any extension of the ty limits of Birmingham at the present time," said J. K. Mcdonald. "As the city is now situated financially, we are not able to take sufficient care of the territory we already have, and to take in more would only make matters worse Some portions of the city even now very rarely see a policeman, account of the small force which t is necessary to main- tain, and it would be hard matter for the fire companies to cover any more space than they do at present. It is true that with larger city linn ts we might get in a greater revenue from taxes, but in the long run the cty would come out greatly the loser. As I understand it, almost the only way the limits could be extended so as to take in more people would be to annex Avondale, and that would mean to assume the debt of that city, which I understand amounts to about $2OOOO. I doubt if the citizens out there would want to be taken into the city; certainly their wishes should be consulted.''
 'I am enthus astically in favor of ex- tending the city linn ts of Birmingham soon as possible" said J. B. McClary. "A more extended territory for Birmingham means that the revenue derived from these additional taxes would enable the city government to give us better fire and police protection, and would benefit the city in many other ways"
 "Of course, am in favor of Greater Bir- mngham," said M V. Joseph, land that soon as possible. I in favor of territorial expansion, and have no fear that we will annex any colonies, to speak, that we cannot handle. From this time on, Bir- mingham must never for one instant stand still, but must keep on progressing. I have not heard all the arguments pro and con on this subject, and there may be good req sons why the city limits should not be eX- tended by this legislature but I have not heard them yet"
 Citizens League
 In connection with this meeting of the board, there is a movement on foot in Blr- mingham relating to municipal affairs, which promises some very lively develop ments before the next mayoralty election is held next May.
 This movement is for the reorganization of a citizens league composed of at least 15O property-owners, it is said, for the pur pose of resisting by organized effort, any attempt on the part of the city government or the legislature, to enact any laws that would be injurious to the property owners of the city, and to assist in the passage of good laws.
 "If any one is interested in the good government of the city," one of the gen. tlemen connected with the movement said last night, ''it should be the property own CTS. They are the citizens who support the city through their taxes, and the occa- sion sometimes arises where 1t is necessary for the property owners to protect them selves No organization has been perfected yet, and consequently I do not feel at lib- erty to give the names of the men who are getting up the movement Nor can I say yet exactly what our policy will be with re- lation to the extension of the city limits, the fight that will be made on the Birmng- ham amendment, on the sidewalk question, or. on any of the other live municipal questions.
 "Of course, the organization will have a strong political character, as we want to see only the best men in charge of the city government. I can't say that we are against the present administration, nor have we any candidates picked out to make the race for mayor and aldermen.
 ''We will also have lobbyists, if neces- sary, at Montgomery to fight or defend any bill that we think hurtful or helpful to the best interests of Birmingham" As yet the movements of the citizens league are shrouded in a great deal of mys- tery, but some interesting developments are promised shortly.