The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-15
 Ovations Given Pettus and
 Bankhcad. TO PETITION CONGRESS Representative Committee Will Go to Washington. Mobile, Selma, Montgomery and Other Poinss Manifest Their Interest in the Inportant Project Be-
 fore the Cenvention.

Democratic and will always go Demo- cratic. but when 1t comes to securing m appropriation from the government or fin case of a call to arms. Montgom- cry County and Alabama will always be found willing to be considered a part of a common country.
 Mir. Rushton referred briefly to the importance of the work of the conven- ton and again extended to the dele cry. His remarks were loudly ap- piauded.
 On account of the absence of Mayor T. s. Caldwell of Camden, Chairman Forbes called on Major V. E. Atkins. Mayor of Selma, to respond to the ad- dress of welcome.
 Mayor Atkins expressed his appre- citation of the welcome of Mir. Rush. ton and regretted that Mayor Caldwell was not present to make a more elo- quent response thereto. He expressed his interest in the meeting. both as a citizen and oficer of Selma and one in- tercsted in business way in the open ing of the Alabama river. He assured the, convention of the hearty cooper ations of the city and people of Selma. He was given liberal applause.
 Governor Cunningham Presides.
 Chairman Forbes then introduced the temporary Chairman of the Conven- tion, Hon. Russell M. Cunningham. Lieutenant and Acting Governor of Alabama. Governor Cunningham was warmly received by the convention.
 He gracefully thanked Captain Forbes for his introduction and spoke in his accustomed easy and graceful style on the relation of the river to the evolution of the commonwealth. The rivers. he said. were not natur- ally made for navigation of big steam boats and barges and to harness them into shape to float these crafts re- quired work and money. The work was easy to secure with money. This money could not be raised by an indi- vidual, or n corporation. a County or g State. The rivers are the property oi the United States government and the United States government alone can make the improvements. The United States government is willing to make these improvements If its officers think i that the people will be convenienced
 in proportion to the money expended 1 With the natural advantages of the l country around the Alabama river 1 there should not be much trouble in | securing the desired appropriation. Governor Cunningham during his re-
 marks was frequently interrupted by applause.
 On motion of Major w. W. Screws l Governor Cunningham was elected per- { manent President of the Convention [ and IA l.. Gilbert. Secretary of the
 Commercial ad Industrial Association
 of Montgomery, permanent Secretary 1 c. F. Moritz moved that five vice. presidents be elected. one from each
 city participating in the convention
 The motion prevailed and the follow.
 ing were elected: John P. Kohn
 Montgomery; W. R. Peacock, Selma Judge Cabot LuIl, Wetumpka: Colonel
 D. R. Burgess of Mobile, and T, s. 1 Caldwell of Camden.
 | On motion Lieutenant Colonel D. w. Lockwood. Major S. W. Roessler and 1 Captain Charles W. Kutz. a Commit | tee of the Board of Engineers of the United States army were invited to par-