The age-herald., 1898-03-25
WAS B|RM|NGHAM'S GUEST Col A. K. Mcclure and Party Ar rived Yesterday Afternoon. A RECEPTION LAST NIGHT At the Rooms of Commercial Cub-Left for Montgomery This Morning, Will Also
 Visit Selma and Mobile.

Col. A. K. Mcclure, editor of the Phradel- phia Times arrived in the city yesterday afternoon over the Louisville and Nashville railroad at $40 o'clock on his tour Of the south, and was met at the union depot by a committee from the Commercial club, who took him in charge and escorted him to the Morris hotel, where quarters had been provided.
 Mayor Frank V. Evans, on behalf of the citizens of Birmingham, delivered a short address of welcome, to which Col. Mcclure gracefully responded A large number of Birmingham's leading citizens called during the afternoon.
 Col. A. K. Mcclure was held at the rooms of the Commercial club, in Twenty-first street, which was largely attended by the business men of the city.
 It was hoped that Gov. Johnston would be present to introduce Col. Mcclure at the reception, but he was unavoiiably detained in Mont gomery with affairs of state. In his absence, Dr. R. M. Cunningham, in his usual able manner, introduced Col. Me Cure who addressed those present upon his plan to induce immigration to the south from the over-crowded industrial districts of Pennsylvania.
 Tn forcible and philosophical manner
 
 ditdons that exist because of the introduce ton of improved machinery into the varied industries.
 ''These conditions required to be met he said, "and the solution of the question was the development of the fertile lands of the south.
 "Pennsylvania, with her hundreds of men thrown out of employment in the industries of the state, could not furnish land for these people to turn to the pursuit of farm ing; while Alabama, with her vast areas Of rich lands, that would yield an abundant harvest to the energy of the northern man, presented practical solution which re- quired but a proper presentation
 .yrhe spirit of unrest and the arraignm mt of class against class is but a result of the army of the unemployed which is spurred on by schemlng politicians" said Col. Me- Cure and while the question which might some day threaten the safety or the nation had not yet become an issue, 1t would be we'll to premeditate it by removing the cause that might lead up to it.
 Col McClures address was given marked attention throughout and at it's conclusion N. F. Thompson, secretary of the Johns- town board of trade, was called on for speech. MT. Thompson responded to the call and reiterated his allegance to the south and to Birmingham in particular, in whose future he expressed the greatest confidence.
 On behalf of the club President Milner extended thanks to Col. Mcclure and MT. Thompson for their interesting talks and the meeting adjourned.
 Col. Mcclure Is accompanied by his nephew, Chas. l.. McKeehom, of Phila- dephia, and N. F. Thompsion, of Johns-' town, and the party is the guest of the L & N railroad company on the trip,who in the interest of a greater development of Alabama's s resources are generously fur nishing a luxurious private car, which is in charge of Capt. P. Sid Jones, of the inn migration department, to see that every facility Is accorded their honored guest in his gratuitous effort in behalf of the south. Previous important engagements for next Wednesday in New York prevent Col Mcclure from availing himself of the kind offer of President Samuel Spencer, of the Southern railway, of a private car in charge of Land and Industrial Commission CT M. V. Richards, to visit any and all points of interest In Alabama upon the line of the Southern railway. The party left for Montgomery at 8 o'clock this morning, where Col Mcclure will address the Commercial and Industrial at noon today. Saturday will be spent in Selma from whence Col. Nc Cure will go to Mobile, where on Mon- day he will address the chamber of com- | merce, after which he will return to the | east via Atlanta. MT. Thompson will remain in the state | about six weeks and will visit such por- | lions as desire to take up Col. McClure's | proposal to advertise the resources of Ala | oama in the Philadelphia Times.