The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-24

here for united effort Individually these people have done and are doing d won derful work. Not so wonderful either when we consider the natural advant- ages which they enjoy. This Coosa valley is a wonderfully productive spot and the town takes full advantage of this fact Besides 1t Is competitive railroad point The crossing here of the Alabama Min eral branch of the Louisville and Nash vile railroad and the Central of Georgia railway affords excellent competition in freights, and the complaint up and down this line is that Sylacauga can afford to pay and does pay Hs of a cent pound more for cotton than any other point on the Central road. It is also said that the incoming freight rate to Sylacauga on flour and other staple goods is so much lower than at other points in this sec ton that trade in large volume Is an- nually drawn here which otherwise would go to other markets.
 The writer has just been informed by a public-sprited citizen here that statis- tics show Sylacauga to have the most solvent business citizenship of any town to its size in the state. Not only do the forty-odd retail stores do an immensely profitable business, but Sylacauga poses as wholesale market as well. Here To- eated are three large wholesale estab- ishments. which supply many of the smaller merchants of the district with goods
 This is sometimes called Marble City, and 1t is located in Marble valley It's foundation is beautiful white marble, and 1t was this immediate section which made Talladega county famous for it's white marble. In digging wells hereabouts mar ble of rare quality must be bored through Near here is the noted Garnett quarry now in successful operation by the Alabama White Marble company, a corporation with ample capital which proposes thor ough development. So much has been written about the marble from this quar- ry, that I need not dwell upon it In this letter. Suffice it to say. 1t is declared to be inexhaustible in quantity and superior in quality to any marble in America. Its development is bound to prove of great benefit to Sylacauga.
 Fourth Dist. Agricultural School.
 Here located is the Fourth District Az ricultural school under the superintend- ency of Prof T. A. Anderson. The in- stitution is now in fiourishing condition. It has large enrolment and a corps of seven teachers. With 1t is combined the city public school and tuition is entirely free. Besides other branches taught are art, music, elocution. free-hand drawing, paper cutting, etc. Farm work receives special attention. and experiments are annually made which train the young suc- cessfully and demonstrate the value of this soil and climate in practical way. The school is now entirely under charge oI a state board appointed by the gov erpor. After this year It is expected that the city of Sylacauga will make a liberal appropriation to aid in this good work: and Professor Anderson hopes to add many new industrial features.
 Matters Municipal.
 Hon. T. P. Johnston is serving his sec- ond term as mayor of the city which is divided into four wards. TLe aldermen are J. w. Brown, E. S. Smith. E.. A. Elm nett, R. l.. Edwards, Dr. F. H. Grad dock Dr. M E. Conway. J. J. Hightower and R. w. Prather. The city is entirely out of debt.a nd the tax rate is three eighths of one per cent only. It is pro- posed soon to issue bonds for electric lights and water works. The city charter fully provides for this. Just now the administration is putting in a system of