The age-herald., 1900-04-08


 their lives before the savage tribes in opening the way for the present era of civilization, progress and development. Quite recently Senator Morgan introduced bill in the United States senate appro- priating $15,000 for the erection of a monu- ment to these dead heroes, and in all probability the appropriation will be made. Now the question arises, where snail the remains be re-interred and where i shall stand the imposing monument. Some want it on the court house square, others in the city cemetery. This is not a matter of such vital importance; but sure it is that the monument shall be of native Talladega marble.
 Speaking of cotton production and cot ton manufacturing suggests thought. Think of it: Cotton at nine cents per pound; calico at four and one-half cents per yard; southern cotton mills paying investors ten to twenty per cent. divi- dends This sounds paradoxical Yet we must believe the figures in the daily mar ket quotations and in the advertisements of progressive merchants. How do the economists explain it? The crop was large the product of the loom immense, the demand for apparel enlarged by an increased population. The inventive gen ius of man. improved machinery the out put of finished goods within sight of the cotton field; all of these: but what of the price paid for labor in the factory? Will any readers ascertain at what price calico sold at retail in New York in 1S63-64, when raw cotton reached the highest price in the history of the staple, S.01h per pound? It would be interesting to know. Talladega county has a very able bar and litigation there is fairly and fully mp to the progressive spirit of the people. By the way, I have just been told that there are seven CD condemned murderers in the jail of this county.
 Of politics, did you ask? Well. don't know. As I look around and behold this busy scene of industry, I do not believe the people find time to talk much of poli- tics, though this is a thoughtful people; and Talladegans were never known to overlook their rights in matters of public importance.
 It strikes me that the public roads of Talladega county should be improved graded and macadamized; for the travel or carriage thereon is immense, and the agricultural districts thickly settled. At present they have special road tax which in a measure. keeps their roads in passable condition but I understand there is a strong sentiment favorable to issuing longtime bonds, and with the proceeds thereof place the roads in first class condition similar to the roads of Jefferson county.
 The country is magnifcently watered immeasurable brooks, branches and creeks find their way into the broad bosom of the Coosa river, which, by the way, is a beautiful stream and one which demands much attention at the hands Of our representatives in congress. Naviga- ble as it is above and below Talladega county its waters could easily be made to float barges at all seasons from Gads- den to Wetumpka. and then Talladega would become rich indeed.
 My thought was to write solely of Talla- dega but I have just noticed the reference to Bob Toombs of Georgia by the Virginia gentlewoman in Thursdays issue Of Ihe Age-Herald. and it carries me back to the reconstruction days of that great state. knew General Toombs. and l knew him to love and admire him. To me he never look ed old. Physically and intellectually he was a giant among men. In his lat,er years his head began to bend his shoulders to stoop but his brilliancy adorned and beautified his physical manhood to his last ddays A strong face! Indeed, yes; and with very distinctive features. mobile mouth upon which one could look and ob- serve eloauence with closed ears. Did he swear? Yes, but his curslng could hardly be called profanity: it was never in vain. When Toombs said "d-n him." he meant it. and if he placed the name of the Deity before the two words, it was an inspiration to a Being whom he recognized as the very
 
 thoroughly conscientious rebel and never became reconstructed. He was even bold and brave physically and intellectually; meant what he said, and said what he meant. He was pure man, and demand ed that all else be pure to win his conf dence and respect. He especially yearned for the purification of the press, and once heard him say that he had spent $100,000 in his efforts to make an honest journalism for Georgia During this talk, which oc- cured in the lobby of the old Kimball house, General Toombs was surrounded by a great assembly, which was always the case whenever or wherever men were al- lowed to hear his utterances even in or dinary talk. The general scoring the press of the state for lacking in truthful ness and bodness of expression 'grhere is not an honest newspaper in the state," said he; mot a d-n one!' What of my paper, general?" asked the leading editor of the state who was present. 'The d-d'st weak-back of all; and it ought to be knocked into pi" was Toomb's prompt reply. and the laugh was on the big editor. Bob Toombs. with all his strength, leaned like a child upon the love and tenderness of his devoted wife. His next warmest bosom friend was Bishop George r. Pierce of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mrs. Toomos died leaving the general childless, and only a short time after her death the grand cid man joined the Meth odist church under the mnistration of Bishop Pierce, and then followed his earth ly companion to the abode of the just
 S. IPSEY