The age-herald., 1901-01-02
BRUNSWICKITES CRY
 ON TO BIRMINGHAM Dirt Broken for the Brunswick &
 Birmingham Railroad PUBLIC EXERCISES HELD Prominent Citizens Participate in the Ceremonies-Hon. Chas. p. Good year Delivers an Able Address.
 Text of His Remarks.
PUBLIC EXERCISES HELD

Text of His Remarks.
 Brunswick, Ga January 1.-(Special)-A large gathering of citizens witnessed and participated in the first work of grading the road to Birmingham yesterday after noon. The Mayor and Council, the Mayor elect and Council Board of Trade, Young Mems Business League, directors of the Brunswick and Birmingham road and prominent citizens gathered by invita- ton of Chief Engineer l.. Wood Robert at the fair ground cite, which is now the property of the new road, for shop purposes and for mally turned the first dirt where will soon be laid the steel bands of commerce unity with industrial Birmingham, and the part of Brunswick The grading force turned their implements over to the citizens, and they soon had several hundred feet of the Tight-of-way in business-like shape. after which William s. Irvine of the Glynn County Picket, whose pen has welded such a powerful influence in stimulating the ne- cessity and growth of the enterprise, fired a cannon cracker, illustrative of the first gun of lon to Birmingham" This was
 
 filled with boom of fireworks and can non.
 Hon. Charles P Goodyear, whose re- markable work of retaining the bar chan nel and deepening it to twenty-five aud one half feet, whereby Brunswick has become frst-class port was called upon for a speech. Although not prepared for the oc casion, he responded enthusiastically. His interest in Brunswick has been the nspir- alton of its growth, and his work thas made this new enterprise possible.
 MT. Goodyear's Speech.
 He said: Ladies and Gentlemen-This auspices, and while the sun is shining it's brightest we begin our road to Birming- ham, This city of Brunswick has a remark able history for the past thirty years. It has known and felt every turn of Provi- dence. It has suffered ravages and untold back-sets, but it still lives. It has done more, with less to do with, than any other city on the seacoast of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific, for there is no city on these coasts that has shown such a wonderful growth in its commerce as has Brunswick during the past five years-an increase of 421 per cent This has been accomplished in spite of opposition, in face of depression, against combination and without capital.
 Brunswick at present has two systems of railroads, and they are not antagonistic to her growth development and prosperity but both of them have other ports. The Plant System has a port at Tampa, at Jack sonville, Savannah and Charleston as well Rr,p Sxx,jolr hac ort at Norfolk West Point and Charleston, as well as it Brunswick. So, necessarily, they must divide their tidewater business. We need something for Brunswick alone-so we start this independent line to Birmingham which will afford vast and wealthy ter ritory one outlet-Brunswick.
 II know the man who stands back of this enterprise-Mr. Edward c. Machen.
 The Leading Spirit.
 "I know of his indomnitable will, of his untiring energy, of his enthusiasm. He will never turn back in his gigantic un- dertaking, and l kEow he will succeed. When he began the Macon and Covington Railroad (now the Macon and Northern) the wise-acres began to prophecy and hin- der, saying he would never build it, but he did. Without money, with energy Then he built a magnificent piece of rail- road property from Marietta to Knoxville. He will build the Brunswick and Birming- ham ralroad-out to the great industrial center of steel, iron and coal-Birmingham to the best port the United States sea board-Brunswick. There is not a better bar in the wide world than that which marks the entrance to its ha.rbor; there is not one of easier access. There is not a better harbor suited for the development and control of this industrial upbuilding than we have. We have grown from 2G00 in 1870 to 12,700 population The destiny as ordained by nature is in sight. This loca- tion for a great city is beyond questioning. Human energy must make these fruits possible for us.
 Tt depends upon us whetner this road to Birmingham shall be a success, and it means our prosperity It is for us to say whether the dirt thrown here this after noon means that Brunswick will ship the steel, the iron, the coal and various out put of Birmingham to the markets of the world Our national export business dom- mates the world in steel, iron and coal all of which goes through some tide-water outlet-why not have Brunswick get her share? It is the turning of the tide of prosperity and Brunswick must feel it. I deem this one of the brightest days in Brunswick's history, as I deem all such days that manifest her glory, but let this one be marked with a white stone"
 The right of way through Glynn County will be graded speedily and there is no doubt but that track will be laid within thirty days -<l President Machen is expected back from New York by January 15. By that time the grading force will be half through the county, as actual. grading Is but little needed because of the level condition of Hhe county Engineer Robert will push the