The age-herald., 1899-03-19
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE;

put they are BOou lawyers. 1aWyerS die good fellows as rule. and good lawyers are particularly good fellSws. They ought to be conspicuous in drafting constitu- tfon, and they will be if they haven't too many axes to grind. They have opportu- nity to make great regulations for them seves-reputations which will live after them If they will apply themselves to the work before them.
 The people look for an improved, broad, liberal constitution-one under which Ala bama may grow and thrive-and under which the individual and the corporation will have equal rights and equal justice on all occasions. The delegates have great work to perform and should perform 1t well.
 There are few men who are blessed with the faculty of being able to talk entertain ingly of that which they have seen. There is perhaps no man in Birmingham-and there are few in this country-who are able to talk so entertainingly as MT. James Bowron. Mr. Bowron has just returned from trip to Bermuda, St. Thomas, Mar unique, San Domingo Cuba, and the other islands of the West Indian group. On Frl-
  of his friends to his home on the South Highlands, and to this party he talked of his trip. He described in detail the cities of the islands which he visited, the peo- pie, their dress and occupation. He showed that the islands which are governed by England are in much better condition in every respect than those governed by the natives or by other European powers.
 MT. Bowron gave a very interesting de- scription of the effects of the gulf stream upon the islands and the products of the West Indian group, which Is principally sugar. He spoke feeingly of his visit to Santiago, and of the war between the United States and Spain. MT. Bowron talk ed for an hour or more and gave his hear CTS an insight into the new possessions of the United States, and other points in the West Indies, which few are familiar with.
 
 Preparations are being made for a new census. Under the last census, Birming- ham showed only a population of 30,OOO Under the next census, Birmingham will probably show population of 75,0OO, for before it is taken the new steel plant, the wire rod mill, and other great industries which are being established in the city or its outskirts, will be in operation and the present population will be increased by something like 3O,000. The future of Bir- mingham is, indeed, bright, and In ten years it will probably show a greater pop ulation than any other city in the south. It is a safe estimate to predict that within ten years from date Greater Birmingham, which should include all of the suburbs, will show a population of not less than 250OO people.
 John L. Parker has retired from the race for mayor of Birmingham. Mir. Parker frankly states that he is not financially able to remain in the race. MT. Parker is one of the best and most respected citizens of Birmingham. It is unfortunante for the city of Birmingham that candidate for mayor must need large financial backing. It is unfortunate for any city that politi- cal campaign should require the eXpendi- ture of a great amount of money. There does seem to be great drove of barnaces in Birmingham-barnacle which attach themselves to candidates and draw support from them during political campaigns. These barnacles can do no candidate any good. Everybody knows them, and 1t is d pity that they SIOulQ De encouraged by men who running for office. The best citizens of community usually elect the officeholders. The few votes which are se- cured by the use of money amount to noth- ing in the general result.
 Beginning with nightfall and continuing for an hour yesterday there was a display of electricity from the dark clouds almost
 
 so-called "forked" lightning, and was mar vellousy brilliant. Beautiful is not the ad- jective to apply to that wonderful light of the lowering heavens; it was sublime. Peal of thunder followed peal with start ling rapidity; and the effect of it all was impressive beyond description. Only lit tie rain fell in the city, the storm passing to the northward. Yesterday was another of the many queer days of this extraor- dinary season. Rain fell in the morning. At noon there was brilliant sunshine, with a stiff cool breeze blowing. At 6 o'clock rain fell again, and there were lightning and thunder.
 J. LaMotte Morgan, who distinguished himself at the horrible Windsor hotel fire in New York, is well remembered in Bir- mingham. The Associated Press accredits him to this city, and he probably does re- tain his legal residence here; but his Bir- mingham friends have seen very little of him during the past ten years. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland to be secretary of the American legation in Mexico; a position entirely suited to his tastes and accomplishments. He remained four years in the Mexican capital, after which he returned to Birmingham; but re- mained here only about year; going at the end of that time to New York, where he has since resided He is a polished man of the world, with charming manners and many accomplishments.
 Chappell Cory, private secretary to the governor of Alabama, is in the city, and is the guest of his father-in-law, Rev. Dr. Armstrong, at the Methodist parsonage, in Eyton, where MT. Cory's family are spending a fortnight. Mir Cory came to