The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-20

should be made Tor that purpose. here make bold to assert that no opposition to such use of the public money can be based on the public merits of the undertaking.
 And now, gentlemen. before closing this brief and imperfect address, I desire to advert to one other phase of the subject which appeals to me with no little force, and that is the sentimental and historic side. The celebration of the one hun dredth anniversary of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory by the United States from France should of itself alone be matter of great interest to all Alabamians, for the req son that Mobile, Alabama's only seaport. was the original seat or capital of that vast empire. What a fact to dwell upon enthusiastically, in connection with fine exhibit of products, this would be in the hands of public spirited and pro- gressive men of any other State, If 1t were their valuable possession. That 1t would be deemed a distinction and a unique and attractive feature of dis play of products, or of an advertisement, there can be no iestion. In addition to this, however, our own State is the first on the roll of States, and is second to none in its wealth of soil mineral, timber and climate
 Let us solmenly resolve, therefore, gen. tlemen, that Alabama chall not lose the greatest opportunity she will ever nave to attract the home seeker and capitalist, and to convince them of the value of her possessions.
 To make this resolve of practical effort, however, 1t will be necessary for this Association to adopt or endorse some plan, or plans, by which a large propor- tion of the funds necessary to collect and maintain an exhibit of our resources shall be raised by popular subscription. This is a duty the Association cannot evade. The whole scheme to have the State exploited at the St. Louis Expo sition originated with this Association resulting In the creation of the Alabama Worlds Fair Commission, and the Asso- citation not only owes 1t to its own good name, but to the people of the State, to give its endorsement, at this meeting. to any legitimate plans that may be pro- posed for raising the necessary funds. It is unquestionably its further duty to give practical assistance to the prosecution of such plans thoughout the State If Ala bama should faii in the effort to be rep
 resented at St. Louis. let 1t not be laid at | the door of this Association IL were better for it to make the effort nd fail, than not to have made 1t at all
 An exhaustive address by Prof. Eugene A: Smith, State Geologist, on "Oil Development | in Alabama" was next delivered. The afternoon session was merged into the morning session because or the ride to Pont was to be held.
 The speakers on the subjects. Legislation and Manufacturing, not being present. Hon. Truman H. Aldrich of Birmingham, who was slated for an address on Mining" was intro | duced and through thorough and complete knowledge of his subject made an able ad- dress.
 Hon. H. Austin of Mobile spoke of the "Riv- ] CTS and Harbors of Alabama and used map | to further enlighten his hearers. Hon. John V. Smith or Montgomery. President of the Ala bama Railroad Commission, spoke of the Re 1 lations of Railroads to Business Development and he was conceded the palm for his remarks, The conyention then recessed for the ride to | Point Clear on the Carney.
 Arrived at the destination many went bath ing then ate delightful supper and finally | got down to business. F. L. Tate of Wetumpka | spoke of Practical Development of Alaba- | ma Water Power and his remarks were
 well worded and eloquently expressed. This was the only speaker who mad the honor of ! female hearers. Cliff Eanier offered resolu-
 tion of thanks to the Commercial Club of Mo | bile, the press and people for courtesy shown, | which was unanimously adopted, after being
 seconded by Gen. Sam Moore of Huntsville. The report of the Committee on Resolutions
 was received and acted op the whole being
 adopted. Following was tke report of the Res
 olutions Committee:
 | Resolved by the Alabama Commercial and
 Industrial Association that we urge upon the
 Executive Department of Alabama the vital | importance of taldng active and aggressive
 steps for advertiNng in a practical way and particularly by tae publication Of an illustrat- | ma to the homeseeker and investor. | Resolved that special committee of three | from this association be appointed to present
 
 | Jelks. and to secure his hearty cooperation
 and sympathy In some organized effort along this line.
 | Resolved that the Legislative Committee of this association be directed to cooperate with
 the various commercial bodies, members of this organization, looking to securing some effective legislation in regulation of the trad-
 ing stamp evil. just beginning to be felt in | Alabama.
 Resolved by the Alabama Commercial and
 Industrial Association that we view with grat- ifcation the experiments now being conduct | ed Agricultural Depart
 men: looking toward the development of
 the tobacco industry in Alabama and that l we extend to James Wilson, Secretary of Agri- | culture, the thanks and congratulations of the
 business men of Alabama for his aggressive
 and intelligent conduct of the work of this
 department.
 Resolved that this association favors a plan | for popular subscription to enable the people | of Alabama to have a representation of its products at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition | In 1904 and that the Legislature be memorial ized to supplement such subscriptions by an | appropriation sufficient to make the display a | credit to our State.
 | Resolved that while this association strongly | supports the enforcement of laws and very
 greatly deplores the violation of the law, par l ticuarly referring to the cases of alleged peon- l age that have resulted in the indictment of 1 some twenty persons. citizens of two counties | in Alabama, we repudiate the charge that the | these lawless proceedings and we very much | regret that politicians and partisans have seen | 1t to their interest to stir up discord by mak-
 ing 1t appear that the Southern people are l seeking to return the negroes to a state of , slavery. We declare that there Is no truth in | the accusation and that the people of the | South have purpose of the sort and do
 not sympathize with any who for gain may have overstepped the law, which guarantees | the freedom of it's citizens, whether white or black
 | General Moore moved an additional resolu- ton that he association favor good roads for | Alabama. Adopted.
 | The next order of business was selection of
 a meeting place. Annistou rendered her hospi- | tahty through Delegate Stckney Selma
 through E. s. Starr, and Florence through her delegation. The vote resulted: Anniston, 2S Florence 10; Selma, 1. Anniston chosen
 and J. C. Sproull thanked the association.
 officers were elected on recommendation of the committee follows: c. P. Lane, Presi-
 dent (re-elected) H. B. Scott or New Decatur, Vice President; l.. L. Gilbert, Secretary and | Treasurer (re-elected). The elections were
 unanimous and the association adjourned sine die
 l Many delegates returned from the Point at 1915 to ride on the government steamer Ros- sell.