The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-08

c object lesson right here before us. the welcome she has given us, this banquet we have just enjoyed, tomorrow the trol- ley ride, and, last, but not least, the coatless barbecue.
 With us from the hills it is hard to tell which we will enjoy most, being coatless or the barbecue
 MT. Toastmaster, we all rejoice with you in the settlement of your strike and while you suffered much, we suffered some ourselves. Talladega has helped TO make Birmingham what she is. We have given you some of our best people, and some not so good. We feel proud of the stand taken by our boys-Syd Bowie, Ed Dryer, Joe Heacock, Groce Harrison. Ar thur Toole and many more. May their success be without measure. Right here, MT. Postmaster, I wish to enter my protest when they come back to Talladega for wives. Some of the men we can easily spare, but we want the good women to remain with us.
 "Other cities may excel us in a ma terial way, but, in all things that tend to higher citizenship, Talladega stands without a peer. Talladega, the Bride of the Mountains a name given her by the Indians, and, as pretty as a bride, she nestles among the beautiful hills. She
 
 always noted for the culture of her men and the refinement of her women, who have gone forth building up other com munities and at the same time making for themselves a great name. l will not at tempt to name them, for they are legion. In later years she has taken on new hle' ranking with the best in commercial en- terprise In a few years, with only fur mace, and it idle, single-handed and alone, she now has three cotton mills, two nos iery mills, cordage plant two oil mills two grist mills, flouring mill, chem- ical plant. fertilizer factory, furniture factory, ice factory, cotton gins and two national banks, which have never re- sorted to the issuance of scrip. Nor have they restricted payment to depositors. We are not selfish, but will give the glad hand to all who come among us.
 "In railroad facilities, Talladega ranks at the top, having the Louisville ana Nashville. the Southern, the Birmingham and Atlanta, the Seaboard. and, last' put not least our Atlanta, Birmingham ana Atlantic While we have neirer stocks nor honds in this road, yet we have a fee,ing interest in 1t, having furnished inc right of way through Talladega coun- ty If ia with pleasure that I say ther' is mol man who has any regret for the money spent. It has come back to us manv fold. and believe 1t will continue to return in the same proportion.
 "Mr Postmaster, I can say without fear of contradiction that no roao ever had better fairer, or more consioerate set of officials from the highest to the lowest than the Atlanta, Birmingham ana Atlantic. and in the language of our old friand Rin Van Wrinkle, may they live ,ong and prosper always working TOT the upbuilding of our great state, ana tba communities along it's line-Taila- dega especially"
 W D. Nesbitt, railroad commissioners Ben G. Perry of Bessemer, Ceci pro"he and l., c. Bradley. district counseis Tor the road, made the final talks all ol which were brief and much enjoyed. At an hour somewhat after daypreah the love feast finally ceased.
 Seated about the speakers table were Gen. Rufus N Rh odes, H. M. Atkinson, p. S. Arkwright, ex-Gov. Jelks, Richard w Massey, Congressman UnderWooo' Fred M Jack son. s. w. Lee, John Il. Parker. Alex W. Bonnyman, Hopert w. Ewing Superintendent Brooks or the l.. & N; City Attorney Ben Perry O. Bessemer, Mayor John T. he,,h ol Roanoke. Mayor Sam Oliver of Taila- dera. c. B. Wilburn superintendent or A.. B. & A. railroad Dr. w. l.. Elkln' chief surgeon A., B. & A.; J. J. Campion. general freight agent Brunswick Steamship company; Division Superln- tendent Bruner of A., B.' & A. at Tai- ladega; Luther z. Rosser, chief coun- sel A.. B. & A. of Atlanta; Cecil Browne, division council A, B. & A. of Talladega; Mayor R. G. Rowland of Ashland; Lee c. Bradley. division coun- sel A., B. &'A. at Birmingham; Thomas Berry. right of way agent A., B. & A. of Atlanta w. O. Chears. commercial agent A.. B. & A. railroad at Birming- ham. w. H. Ouigg, general freight gent A.. B. & A. at Atlanta; W. H. Leahy, general passenger agent A., B. & A. of Atlanta.