The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-27

ih ny s0plhion, IS only the beginning of our future prosperity. and with the earnest work of our citizens. if prop erly organized. I confidently predict that Mobile will be the leading city of the Gulf.
 The enorts of our joint Committee Of Rivers and Harbors has resulted in the deepening of the channel, and in conseQuence, several new steamship lines are now plying Into this port
 With these new and encouraging conditions, indicating so clearly the future prosperity Of onr city, no effort should be abated to increase the depth of-water in our harbor
 There Is another matter that would earnestly urge action upon on the part of the Exchange-that Is, the immedi- ate Improvement of our rivers. Our business interests, also the interests of the people in the counties tributary to Mobfle.t are being greatly injured because stsamboats are unable to navi- gate the rivers.
 With moderate expenditure by the Government. the Alabama and Tom- bisbee Rivers could be made naviga- bie all the year round. The low stage of the rivers at present Is entailing greet loss to the business of Mobile. and to the people living tributary to us. The most important work, and one that should be completed immediately, isf the lock at McGraw Shoals on the fombigbee River. This lock has been partially completed. and the Govern ment should be urged to finish this work at once. The people living near this river. in Washington. Clarke. Choctaw and Marengo Counties, are now suffering great hardships, and se- rious loss. on this account. The Gov ernment has been working on the locks above McGraw. Shoals: but 1t Is the opinion of all thoughtful business men. who have given the matter any attention. that McGrew Shoals should be completed first. This would enable steamboats to go up the river nearly to Demopolis all the year round Ma vigaticn to that section of the country would brfNg immense quantities of tim Der to Mobile. in addition to providing increased facilities for the movement of cotton. In my opinion this Is an aii-important matter to us at present, and trust you will take such action as may bring about an earnest effort to. accomplish this work. have no doubt, in any effort you may make along this line. that you will have tine active and eficient cooperation of Hon. George w. Taylor. the able rep resentative in Congress from this dis trtct, as we'll as that of Hon. John H Bankhead and our United States Sena- tors.
 .. The Commercial and Industrail As- sociation of Montgomery. Ala, has is- sued a call for an Alabama river Con vention. to be held in Montgimery on November Il. The subject of this con- vention is to make a united effort to open all the year round navigation up- on the Alabama river to Mobile. I am reliably inormed that one dredge could within thirty days make the river navi- gable from Mobile to Selma, even on the present low stage of water.
 Representatives will be present from the commercial bodies of Montgomery. Selma and wetumpka, and all princi- pal landings on the river. This will be an important meeting and I would suggest that this exchange send deli- gates to said convention.
 On motion Of J. c. Bush, the Presi- dent was authorized to name a com mittee of three to attend the Alabama River convention in Montgomery.
 The Committee on Membership re- ported fortysfour full and fifteen vis- iting members. and the Finance Com mittee made decidedly encouraging report.
 At the regular weekly meeting of the General Committee of the Sonfed- crate reunion, held tonight in the Commercial Club, a large delegation of the Ladies' Auxiliary was present. General Chairman Hamburger, in open ing the meeting, took occasion to thank the ladies for their presence which was augury, he said, of a suc- cessful termination of the hopes of the General Committee.
 EIoR of the Alabama division, reported on the program arrangements, and sug- gested that the General Committee have committees arrange their program as speedily as possible, in or- der that the official program might be published.
 Special invitations were ordered sent General stephen D. Lee and other of- ficials of the United Confederate Vet erans to attend the reunion.
 Chief Thomas Price, of the Mobile fire department, announced that his corps of fire fighters would give an exhibition run and other evolutions for the entertainment of the visitors.
 Chairman Butt of the Committee on Entertainment and Amusement. an nounced that he had received assur- ance from United States Senator Pet tns and Colonel E. l.. Russell that they would use every endeavor to se- cure cruiser for the occasion to be present in the port of Mobile.
 Reports from all committees were to the effect that the reunion would be the grandest in the history of the Alabama division.
 At a meeting of Camp George H. Dixon, Sons of Confederate Veterans. held tonight. a committee was appoint ed with Major Edward NJ. Robinson as Chairman, to cooperate with the General Reunion Committee. A com mittee was appointed to name d spon- sor and maid for Camp Dixon. John W. Phelan was elected Treasurer of the Camp.
 In the City Court this morning Hon. O. J. Semmes passed sentences on pris-