The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-01
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE

pend s1.5O0O 600 on the plant, or fully $780,
900 more than the sum heretofore eontem-
plated, thus making it one of the largest
industries of its kind in the United States.
The output Of this gigantic undertaking
will consist chiefly of steel wire, steel rods
and steel wire nails. The nails manufac-
tured will alone aggregate thousands of
kegs week, and will require an immense
number of cars for transportation. A large
cooperage establishment alongside the
plant will supply the empty kegs, the wood
for which will require the destruction of
forests Of oak. The wire and rods, like
the nails, will be made for no special mar
ket, bur for the markets of the world at
large; though it is expected that there
will be very heavy demands from Cuba and
the West Indies generally. and likewise
from Central and South America
The men at the head of this greatest of
all enterprises in Alabama are thoroughly
practical, are absolutely familiar with their
business and have that which stands for
most in the business world-the prestige Of
success. They are said to be backed prac-
tieally by unlimited capital, and that state
ment IS probably true. Rumor is to the
effect that large manufacturing interests
owned by them elsewhere have been recent
ly sold to a syndicate; and that their time,
talents and capital will be devoted exclu-
siyely to development of tho vast undertake
ing at Ensley. They are confident of DEM
onstrating facts favorable to Birmingham
as the most desirable point in America for
steeling using industries: these facts will
tie the world. These men of enterprise will
work up steel from the great plant along
side their own mill. They will be able to
purchase that steel cheaper than steel can
be obtained anywhere else in the world for
the Ensley plant can produce the steel at
a lower rate Of cost than it can be possibly
produced elsewhere Thus the enterprlsng
owners of the wire and rcd mill will be in
a position to give the industrial world a
great object lesson in the manufacture of
steel products This district is evidently on
the eve of fast developments. Yet there
is probably not one man in thousand even
here in Birmingham who comprehends in
any reasonable degree the vastness Of I'M
dertakings at Ensley, or their enormous sig
niflcance to Birmingham the south and
the worlds industrial empire!
In view of the ANIMAL closing exercises
of the State university and OF the great
college at Auburn, it is interesting to note
that but two members of the Alabama dele
cation in congress ever attended the uni
vorsity, and none ever received instruction
at Auburn. Congressman Jesse f. Stall
lngs, of Butler, graduated from the uni
versity twenty-five years ago (1SyD and his
colleague, Congressman Henry d. Clayton,
of Barbour, graduated about the same time.
Subsequently Mr.. Clayton's father, the late
Major-General II. d. Clayton, was presi-
dent of the university. Senator Morgan re-
ceived only academy education; but
Senator Pettus attended college in Tennes-
see. Congressman George Washington Tay-
lor, of Marenge was educated at the South
Carolina university; whilst his colleague,
CASTOR A. Robbins. of Dallas, graduated
from the University Of North Carolina.
Congressman Willis Brewer, OF LoWndes,
though the most scholarly Of the Alabama
representatives, is chiefly self-educated;
for he entered the confederate service as
a soldier at eighteen, and went to work
after the civil war ended Congressman
John II. Bankhead, OF Fayeete, and John
IL. Burnett of Etowah, are altogether self
educa ted. Congressman Joseph Wheeler
graduated from West Point, in 1859; and
Congressman Oscar W. Underwood of JEFF
ferson graduated from the University of
Virginia. Senator Morgan was born in
Tennessee. Senator Pettus and all the con-
gressmen, except Wheeler and Under
wood, are natives of Alabama Wheeler is
a Georgian, and Underwood Ken4uckan
The decision of City Court Judge Sayre.
of Montgomery, in quashing the mandamus
proceedings against R. P. McDavid, secre-
tary of state, in the mstter of lnterlnea-
tions in the house journal, has the effect
OF carrying the question to the supreme
court Seeing that only about two weeks
time of the summer term of the high court
remains, it IS not in4the least degree prob
able that decision will be rendered before
next November or December. Within sixty
days after the June adjournment the court
VIII nave to reasonable, according to the
statute, but the meeting will be little mora
than a Formally, and only a few decisions
can be expected. So the legality of the
marginal writing on the journal of the
house affecting the validity of the present
revenue law must remain in doubt until
towards the end of the year Should the
SNt'ASinS court III the eflu ASIDE the law
as it stands, the old revenue act would
come into full force and effect and an
extra session of the legislature would NOT
be necessary. This is matter, however,
that the governor will pass upon when it
shall present itself.
Amongst the numerous priests visiting
Birmingham within the past few days,
none is more widely known or more sin
cerely beloved than the Rev. Father Saw
age, the parish priest of Montgomery
Father Savage has resided in Montgomery
for many years, and under his fostering
care his church has expanded and pros
pered greatly. A great deal of valuable
property, including two splendid old south
ern mansions has been acquired for sc,.fel
purposes; and large and excellent schools
for boys and girls are maintained, be-
sides convent school under the care and
control of the Sisters of Loretto. All
classes in Montgomery, without regard to
religious views. look to Father Savage az
a pure and noble-hearted man. and it is
not too much to say that everybody in that
n no fatl,