The age-herald., 1900-02-11

a I.Slt Teil dilu dpply NHe WnIp. NOW, that the lid of the box of office has been raised and the nayor has sprung boldly before the public and exploded a 5onib of municipal ownership of public necessities, it remains ito be seen whether he win drive his team through the ravine of moneyed opposition.
 The board off aldermen last year made grand-stand pay of passing a dollar-gas ordinance, but it was merely wind, and weak wind. It brought no dollar-gas. The legislature amended the city charter and gave the aldermen all sorts of powers, but they have gone passlvely on-timid and easy in acts. These same aldermen have endorsed the ideas of the mayors mes sage, But will they act lap to their state ments? WM they legislate to the best in- terests of the people and the people de- sire? That depends largely upon the en- ergy, activity and determination of the mayor The latter havfng written boldly. the people are eager to dearn If he will act boldly.
 Another thing which the mayor should insist upon is additional fire stations The South and North Highlands have not as much protection from fire as the merest country village. Insurance rates in both these sections are high and 1t is a wonder they are not higher. If @ house catches fire and the occupants can't put it out there is no chance of the fire department doing it. Horses can't pull heavy fire ma chimes up steep hills at any degree of speed Mayor Drennen should insist upon more fire stations and he should keep insisting until he gets them.
 And the Birmingham. police force It is good as far as it goes, but it. is not large enough to get outside of the center of the city. Burglaries continue and will continue until the resident taxpayers get police pro- lection. The South Highlands people pay taxes now and get nothing for their money.
 Mayor Drennen has a great opportunity to make himself famous He is in posi- tion ito have monument erected to his memory many years henlce when he shall have passed and gone If he is active and energetic and bold he may get a statue in Capitol Park. And. by the way. the mayor is a good-lookfng fellow and would look well either in bronze or marble.
 
 The coal mines of the Tennessee Coal and Iron company at Pratt City produced TO-
 
 at the rate of 2OOO,O 900 tons per annum, and yet the Pratt City mines do not produce more than fourth of the coal of the Birmingham district.
 With this tremendous production there is yet a great demand for coal in this district : ----...--.-.--- And you got the kiss of the eventiane when the day was far spent, and you got the blessing of God! Don't you remember that day you first saw 0her on the daffodil way? Don't you know you srwore to be true to her for ever and for ever and don't you know you loved the good Lord for sending that radiant maiden across your way? Don't you remember how glorious she was -Glow radiant? How her eyes laughed, her white teeth illuminated her red lips, how all that swaying, sinuous, lissome figure of a pure young woman drove you to the verge of madness? If these things you recall not, o, man, journeying the westward way, then there is for you no real joy in the world!
 Ut may be of but passing moment be- loved that a man of many sore affiictions appeals to you under sore burdens of the hour. But believe me, the mercy of God reaches us all of us. Men may be unmerci- ful, cruel, unjust, unnlannerly; but tine justice of God, the love of God, the un- measureable goodness of God prevail! Men may foe mean, wicked, selfish, cruel, cross, slanderous, liars-but, To! above all this shines the justice and mercy and goodness Of God, which no person of earth can dim. Be good beloved be good! The time is at hand alway when men and women should De good one to anoaler. Be good and God WlN hold you in His blessed keeping!
 THE MURMURER