The age-herald., 1900-12-08

richest city in assessent showing the enor- nous total of three billion five hundred mil lion dollars. nearly, whilst Boston comes second with something over billion dol- lars. Chicago is not one of the richest five cities in assessed values, being exceeded by Philadelphia, Baltimore and St. Louis. in the order named. The poorest city in assess ments is Joliet. H., with s, ,12o,5OO.
 Upon the general results as to merits it is figured out in the Independent that the five first American cities are New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Maiden, Mass, and Chicago in the order named and the five lost American cities are Joliet, H.; Lincoln, Neb; Atlanta, Ga.; Quincy H., and Johnstown, Pa,' in the order named; thus showing Atlanta to be the third low est city in general merit of all the 12s, each of which exceeds 3O,OOO population"
 
 Let every legislator of Alabama read Birmingham's official record of crime, and know the cause to be, as Representative OBrien so eloquently stated 1t on the floor of the House, that Birmingham and Jefferson County constitute the dumping ground for nearly all the States criminals. State convicts are released in this county at the rate of 400 to 500 year and perhaps more and yet the Legislature refused to permit the State to bear any proportion of the cost of an extra criminal court made necessary by the States released convicts. Nearly one-sixth of all the States assess ed property is in Jefferson. and this coun-- ty pays more than one-seventh of all the expenses of conducting the States gov ernment; yet we are for ever hearing com plaints against Jefferson County"
 
 Hon. Joseph H. Nathan of Sheffield was in Birmingham yesterday.
 Hon. John M. Caldwell of Anniston is in Birmingham.
 Former Congressman William A. Hand. ley of Roanoke, who had been spending several days at Montgomery came to Bir- mingham yesterday and will remain for a short time looking after his large prop erty interests. Montgomery, like Washing ton, is Colonel Handley's 'old stamping ground" he having served with distinction for years as State Senator. They used to call him the Senator for Jefferson and Randolph" he being as watchful of Jeffer- sons Interests as he was of the interests Of his own Senatorial district Jefferson has got two Senators-Wflliam A. Hand- ley and John T. Milner," was what they used to say at Montgomery, and the com pliment was one very pleasing to both distinguished men,
 Two young members of the Legislature whose praises I heard cordially sounded by competent critics are Representative Will liam B. Bankhead of Madison and Repre- sentative H. c. Gunnels of Calhoun" said a man who had been making a short stay in Montgomery.
 Mir Bankhead and MT. Gunnels have re- trained from constant babbling in the bab- ble of debate, and have been most excellent listeners, thereby setting worthy examples to certain of their young colleagues who appear to be somewhat unduly gifted with speech, however eloquent. Each of these gifted young members made his maiden speech this week, dealing with educational matters, and they created a remarkably good impression upon the House. I have State Superintendent Abercrombie's strong and wise word that MT. Gunnels is an is an exceedingly bright, studious and thorough going young man; and Mir Bank heads face indicates notable intellectual keenness and vigor I do not recall having seen of late so admirable a face It is al most purely classic and is at the same time noticeably mobile.
 Tt is we'll for MT. Bankhead and Mr. Gunnels that at the outset of what prom ise to be great careers they have learned something of the vast value of silence"