The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-13

Based on the suggestion or MT. Jem- ison, Robert Ewing made a motion that the club extend thanks to the commit tee which had raised s10OOO0 to perpet- uate the state fair in Birmingham, and the club unanimously adopted the mo- ton.
 Retiring President T. II. Motion then read his annual address, which was as follows:
 Motions Address.
 For thirteen years this club has been presided over by men of the older set. Tonight we turn the gavel over to a worthy young man of the younger set; it is the beginning of a new era in the history of the club. Birmingham Is a young mans town. Young men occupy moro positions of trust and responsibility here than Is usual elsewhere; and yet when we come to look around us, we ob- serve that young men are being recog- nized and pushed to the front everywhere.
 ''The President of the United States is a young man; the governor of Alabama Is a young man, and the mayor of this city Is regarded as a very young man except by the old married ladies that he used to know a long time ago. There
  whom I have referred to as the older set are not old except by comparison; there Is something about this young city, It's spirit and enterprise, that makes a man feel young. The old man must keep young and hustle, or the boys will get ahead of him. The race Is on for the upbuilding of a great city; everyone is doing his part: the colts are in the lead. with good. strong, safe horses at the wheel
 "I would tell you wherein this club has participated in this race to build a city since It's organization, but all of you know 1t so well I will not thus trespass upon your time. I would like to review the work of the last twelve months and. show you what we have done toward promoting the welfare of the community: how many conventions we have looked after. how niany important enterprises we have fostered and encouraged. how many Presidents and Vice-P Presidents we have entertained and sent away singing the praises of Birmingham. but our most capable secretary has a report that will do full Justice to the subject.
 Want Thousand Members.
 When l was inaugurated as your pres ident one year ago. 1t was my desire and ambition to see the club membership reach one thousand; there Is no reason why this should not be; 1t is the one non -partizan, non-political. representative business mems organization of the city; an organization that recognizes all class es and treats all alike. We have Jew and Gentle, Catholic and Protestant. liquor dealer and prohibitionist, preacher and on-church-goer; we have politicians of all types but they dare not talk politics in open meeting; we have union men and non union men, it Is the one organization where no special interest is considered. but every interest Is regarded, protected and promoted. Then why should we not have a thousand members? To my sue cessor I would say, go out, send out, after them and inside of twelve months there will be enrolled as members of this club not less than thousand representa- tive business men. Unfortunately the chairman of our membership committee has for the past twelve months been much engaged, and considerable part of his time has been spent away from the city. I will take the liberty of suggesting the appointment of young man as chair man of this committee. In fact. Mir. Jem- ison. l would recommend to you In mak- ing up your committees. that you recog-
 
 Let your administration be known as the Young Mans Administration, and predict for you great success.
 'sThe club is now in n prosperous con- dition While I have been disappointed In the membership not reaching one thou sand, I have been gratified in taking in over two hundred members during my When l was inaugurated we had a debt of something like $2700 which hung around the neck of the club as mlllstone. Today the club is free of debt, and we have something like $250o in the treasury, which amount was raised for the purpose of erecting Vulcan. One of the interesting propositions which expected you to handle was the final disposition of Vulcan. but l see by the that Col. Johns has disposed of the whole question by giving the Iron man to the ladies.
 During my administration we arranged for the use and occupancy of these rooms, which regard as the incest quarters the club has ever had. Comfortably quarter ed. with sufficient space for the exhibi- ton of our natural and manufactured products. no debt to burden your efforts, Vulcan out of your way. 1t seems to me that the way is clear for a good and successful race.
 For the Old Guard'-for the men who have believed in the club from It's organ ization to this good day-for tho older set can pledge good council and loyal support.
 'I take great pleasure in introducing to the club it's new President. MT Robert Jemison, Jr''
 Jenison's Speech.
 President Robert Jemison, IT,, then made the following speech:
 Mir. President and Gentlemen of the Club.
 After listening with interest to the ex- cellent report, which evidences so forcibly the rapid growth and wonderful develop ment of this great city and likewise the importance of the Commercial club as strong factor in its progress. and then to have so flattering an introduction by the distinguished gentlemen whom I have the honor to succeed as president of this club,I must admit that in my opinion you have conferred upon me an honor much greater than l deserve, and you have assigned me duty worthy of a better selection, but since 1t is my good fortune to stand before this representa- tive assembly of the ablest, the strong est and the most enterprising citizens of the greatest city in the south, for the purpose of accepting an honor, which to my mind is the highest that can be con ferred upon a business man in Birming- ham. I want to first express my most