The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-05
zOO BOYS APPEAR
 BEFORE COUNCIL Bright Youngsters Make Some
 Strong Arguments.
CAPTURED THE ALDERMEN
Little Fellows Spoke Without Embar rassment and Their Logical Areu- ments Were a Revelation to the
 Members of the Board.

The appearance of more than thirty bright boys between the ages of 10 and l6 before the city council last night earnestly urging the passage of a resolu- ton providing for the maintenance of a geological garden by the city was a revelation to the aldermen who had never realized that such an array of talent and determination could be found in the youth of Birmingham.
 These little fellows lost no time in get ting down to business and every alderman was buttonholed as he entered the cham Der and requested to support the peti- tton. Nearly every one of them was con- verted to the idea so fondly cherished by the zoo boys.
 Immediately after the council was call ed to order by Chairman Forney, the pressure brought to bear by the boys had shown It's effect and Aldermen Jones and Moore became the floor leaders for the zoo. All business was suspended and the boys were allowed to present a petition asking for $2OO a month to support the zoo. They were invited to present their case to the board and oratory then flowed.
 Realizing the justice of their claim the little fellows put embarrassment in the background and stepping to the side of the chairman delivered strong logical ar guments in support of the petition.
 At first the aldermen were amused but soon were deeply interested. The earn est and dignified bearing of the young sters captured them and every speech was concluded with loud applause.
 With the exception of Robert H. Thach, Jr.. the boys had prepared manuscript copies of their speeches but few of them referred to their memoranda while speak ing. Young Thach made a strong logical argument, however, and his effort was one of the best of the evening.
 The boys were introduced to the board by Alderman Jones and with him as their champion and aided by his ready wit they quickly worked their way into the hearts of their hearers.
 large number of citizens were pres- ent and enjoyed the proceedings im- mensely. They pronounced it one of the most remarkable instances of boyish pluck and determination they had ever witnessed.
 The petition was read and referred to the committees on finance and parks.
 The speakers were Sam Clabaugh, presi- dent of the Geological association, Rob ert Badham treasurer Clement Wood. Robert IT. Thaeh Jr., Robert Burnett, Joseph Saks Hal Strickland and Joe Mudd.
 Sam Clabaugh.
 Young Clabaugh spoke as follows: | Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
 Gentlemen-Acting on the suggestion of one of Birmingham's most pubic-spirited citizens. who Is always striving through the columns of lis great paper to advance the citys every interest, the children of | Birmingham have organized the Chil- dren's Geological Park association, and propose to establish an absolutely free zoo in one of the new parks of the city. We, as a committee from this association, come before your honorable body tonight to ask the eity's aid in maintaining this park. In making this request, we are not unmindful of the heavy burdens under | which the administration is laboring and the problems which confront you. but we gre sensible of and deeply grateful for your efforts toward maintaining the pub | lie school system on so high a plane. This is manifested by your determination in the face of difficulties to erect a high school building that will be a credit to the city. Therefore we feel that you will be in hearty accord with thls movement as it is an essential part of the educa- ilonal system. It will afford at once in- struction and wholesome recreation not only to the school children but to that large class who unable to attend school, and whose only recreations are such as the streets afford, which Is usu- ally of a demoralizing character.
 It is often asserted and generally be- ieved that boys reared in the country make better citizens and more success full men of affairs than boys reared in the city; that they are possessed of great CT moral, mental and physical strength. If this is true, why is it true? Is 1t not because they are more in the open air and sunshine that they are in closer touch with nature that their sports are health- full and invisorating. that lives are simpler and more natural? The city boy is not re- sponsible for his environments; he has no choice in the matter. Is 1t not then the city's duty to provide as far as possible ] these advantages? Almost every city as large Birmingham, and some even smaller, notably Chattanooga and Allan ta, maintain a zoo and these have proved to be the most popular of resorts. Shall Birmingham lag behind?
 The avidity with which the children have taken hold of this movement, the | measure of success we have met with, the liberal donations and encouraging words we have received all go to show that we have struck a popular chord. We feel assured of our success Tn raising suf- ficient funds for the purchase of the ani- mals and only ask the city 10 provide the grounds and make an appropriation of