The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-04
CANDIDATES TO
RAILROAD MEN
MeSSrS. Drennen and Smith Address
The Club.
LEWIS WELSH ENDORSED
As Candidate Of Railroad Men For
Railroad Commissioner.
DRENNEN READ HIS PLATFORM
Dwells on Water Rates-Mr. Smith De-
MED the Reports Being Circu-
lated That He is Pledged
To Machine.
DRENNEN READ HIS PLATFORM

Inc railroad mems political clup neiu an
other meeting last night, to transact rou-
tine business, to listen to addresses which
were made to them by Ross c. Smith and
Mel Drennen, two of the candidates for
mayor. and to transact other business not
known to the public The meeting was
long one. Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Drennen
spoke until nearly 10 O'Clock, but even after
that hour the session was prolonged until
nearly midnight There were about hun
bred members of the CLUB present, out of
the total membership of about 500, which
the club now has, and they proved an unus-
ually attentive and interested audience.
They were liberal in their applause when
ever they thought a good point had been
made.
After the meeting the information was
given out that the club had unanimously
endorsed Lewis Welish, an engineer on the
Louisville and Nashville railroad, in his ap-
plication for the position of associate rail-
road commissioner of the state of Alabama.
Mr.. Wellish has not only the unanimous
endorsement of the thousand railroad men
and over in the Birmingham club, but also
the enthusiastic endorsement of railroad
men in all parts of the state.
A committee of three, consisting of John
Cox, w. K. Atkinson and R. M. Varnell,
was appointed to wait on Governor john
ston in Montgomery and urge upon him
Mr.. Wellish's claims.
Smith the First Speaker
Mr.. Smith was the first speaker, and he
them for the courtesy of being invited to
address them and also congratulated them
on the rapid growth and success of their
club.
1.-THE very name of the club said he,
"bespeaks success, for the growth of this
country for the past seventy-five years has
been forcibly illustrated by the development
of our great railroad systems"
He told of an exhibit which the New York
Central railroad had at the worlds fair
in Chicago. on one track they had the
first engine ever used in the state of New
York, very primitive affair. On track
next to this train was the very finest and
most modern engine and set of cars which
that road had turned out. From this he
drew the comparison of the growth of the
railroads of the United States. Not only
the lines themselves have developed, but
the men who operate them have also gone
forward. They now number nearly one
million and with their families represent a
large percentage of this country's popu-
lation.
OF this number, there are now nearly co.
900 in Alabama, who with their families
represent about 100000 of Alabama's popula-
ton.
Il mention these simple facts, which are
familiar to you ALL" said Mr.. Smith, Sim
ply to emphasize the right that you have
to organize and express your views as one
man upon the laws of the land and as to the
men who are to carry in effect these laws"
In opening his argument, Mr.. Smith said
he realized how much easier it was for a
candidate to make promises before an cleo
ton than it was to carry them out after
ward should he be successful For that rea-
son l shall not be too liberal with my prom
ises. but there are some points on which
you have right to know my position. On
these l shall speak freely "
He dwelt on the Importance of education
and assured them that he would do every
thing he could for the welfare of the
schools should he be elected mayor. He
spoke of the present fine condition of the
system, but said that there were improve
ments which could and should be made
He said that the corporations enjoying
franchises from the city should be made
to live up to their contracts.
He told Of the city's debt and of the
amount of interest paid annually, which
is raised by tax on property, etc. Differ
ent plans for it's adjustment had been sug-
gested, which he discussed.
Nevertheless" said he. "a high rate can
only work disaster while a fair and equita-
BILE one is necessary.
Mr.. Smith thought that street improve
ments should be made only when necessary
and that it was not right to go out in the
country, so to speak. and there put up
lot of sidewalks and curbing where they
were not wanted simply to keep the men
at work.
Not a Candidate of Machine
He said that some people, in their efforts
to prejudice his candidacy, had said that
he was candidate of the machine and that
in order to get the support of the machine
he had made certain pledges. Mr. Smith
denied this emphatically, saving that he had
made no pledge either of personal or po-
litical nature. Also that if he was elected
he would go into office unmortgaged and
untramelled, with blu: one purpose. and that
was to do his duty.
Tho speaker referred to the natural
wealth of the Birmingham district and of
the splendid future it had in store He had
lived in 1t for thirteen years, and during
that time had done all within his power for
its advancement and unbuilding.
1t was his ambition to be placed in po-
sition that, with the aid and counsel of the
conservative element of the city without re-
gard to class. he hoped some good could be
accomplished