The age-herald., 1901-06-09

Sewerage System, same as that enjoyed by Birmingham. The drainage is emptied into Sowashee Creek. a bold stream near by, and by that borne far away. There is no annoying smoke in the city proper and but little disturbing dust. Then, too, the streets are paved several with vitried brick, others with chrt brought from the Birmingham dis trict.
 Unity of Purpose and Action.
 As an evidence of the spirit of unity which prevails among the business men of Meridian, it may be stated that there are two well organized, active and pro- gressive organizations here which are ever on the alert for the welfare of the city. One of these is the Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange, the other the Commercial Club. The former is com posed of the older business men, the lat ter of the younger set. The two work in entire harmony, and some who are mem hers of one are also members of the other body.
 A Metropolis.
 When a visitor comes to this city he looks at first in amazement at the met ropolitan appearance of Meridian. He sees the moving throng passing along paved walks and streets, hears the bell of the electric cars, one following close after another; behoids the. handsome, substantial towering business buildings of marble, stone and brick, hears the whistle of the industrial plants, and won ders what makes the Meridian of today possible.
 Sources of Wealth. The following figures are furnished your correspondent to show some of the sources of Meridian's wealth. Value of cotton annually mark eted here.... ...-... ..... .$5, ,0OO, GOO Increased value from manufac- tured cottonS. ...-.. .... ...-i 200, 900 Annual cotton seed crop.... ...... 1O00, 900 Annual pay rolls of Meridians factories. .........- boO,,OW Annual pay roll of railroads here...... 5O0, ,00O Saw mills in Meridian territory cutting yellow pine.... ...-. .3IO mills Cutting hard wood. ........ H mills Now when we take into consideration the vast and rich territory from which | the wholesale and retail merchants of this city draw patronage, which means dollars to Meridian. it is no wonder there is growth and development here. Cotton Receipte. Captain T. c. Carter of the Cotton Ex- | change informs your correspondent that | Meridian really receives from 125,000 to 15G000 bales of cotton annually; that this | cotton comes from a territory within a radius of one hundred miles of the city. in Mississippi and Alabama. and that the receipts are increasing every year There are two immense cotton congresses | here.
 Manufsctories.
 | It is a well established fact that agri- | culture and manufacture constitute the real basis of all wealth, and 1t is happy fact that Meridian, surrounded as she l is by a rich agricultural section, has reached the distinction of being a manu- I featuring city. She has. within her bor- ders four cotton seed oil mills, one large cotton factory, one fertilizer factory. five machine shops. one soap factory and re- finery, eight woodworking plants, two 1 ice factories, two large saddle and har- ness factories, one drug manufactoryk two steam candy factories, three mattress | and broom factories, and several brick yards The immense machine shops of the Northeastern Railroads employing about six hundred men. are located here.
 The men employed by these manufac-