The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-13
Meeting Adjourned to Prevent Riot. CURRENT OF UNEASINESS RUNS THROUGH GREAT HALL
 -~---s-- Drastic Resolutions Are Unani mously Adopted.
 - No Time for Insemperats speech. But Conditions Must Give Way to Law and order--Governor
 Conner Net
 Present.
pr BRUCE KENNEDY.


 Birmingham, Aug. i2.-(special.)-- "what I've got and what am will give to the state of Alabama to run down and punish the instigators of these vile crinies.n The throaes of more than 5000 Birmingham business men cheered this utterance by Robert Jemison, President of the Street Rail way Company at the most remarkable mass meeting held In Alabama since the reconstruction period.
 Undoubtedly Mir. Jemison reflected the feeling of every good citizen of the district Like the other speakers Mir. Jemison spoke with determination. The other speakers were Judge A 0. Lane, who presided A. G. Smith. R. N. Rhodes, T. H Johnston. Mayor George B. ward, NJ. V. Joseph. John E. Nor ris and s. J. Bowie. Great good Is to come out of the meeting. The deter. imitation shown, the unity of purpose, and the ringing declaration for law and order, must have quick effect. No one can doubt, after witnessing this impressive scene. that there will be q reign of terror out in this district. un- less the dynamiters heed the warning of these awakened business men.
 'If we get together" said 4. G.. Smith, in his speech. I've can stop these things. we don't get together, the worst is yet to come. I am ready to put gun on my shoulder. and help the of1cers. Tam ready right now"
 This declaration was answered by tremendous cheering Throughout the great audience there was intense bit- terness against W R. Fairley. the strike leader, the man who has been q citizen of the district twenty-four years, and has accumulated $l50.Qo0, according to reports. This bitterness against Mir. Fairley found expression two or three times When speakers with passion demanded that the tnstt- gators of the murders and other out rages should be run down and punish. ed, several voices in the audience cried ''W R. Fairley."
 An electric current of uneasiness ran, through the great auditorium while MT. Bowie was speaking, and although the business of the meeting was not completed. a quick adjournment was taken when he closed. MT. Bowie made a quick. but keen analysis of the situation and advised remedy. He smoke clearly but passionately.
 The Bijou Theatre seats 5000 per- sons. The manager of the theatre said that over 1000 business men waited thirty minutes before the doors were opened at 8 o'clock to get Seats. When the meeting began the theatre was filled, and many could not ind seats.
 Thousands of copies of The Free Lance. a weekly newspaper, were dis. tributed. The entire edition Is given nR A demand for martial law, and advises that Mir. Farley and his associates should be deported. F H. Cabaniss called the meeting to order and Rev. A. J. Dickinson prayed Judge A. 0. Lane was. introduced as the chairman; w. A. Malone was made secretary.
 The people of Alabama" said Judge Tane Are confronted with a grave and serious situation. few weeks soo neace reIgned throughout this land, and there was feeling of security of life and limb. But the people have come to realize that there are some among us who have determined to sub stitute anarchy for law and order"
 eve see widows and orphans denied tha support of their natural protec- tors. life has been made insecure, peo- ple are murdered and maimed; busi- ness Is paraiyzed, and injustice Is be- ing done, This Is a condition of affairs
 
 ment the big audience broke Into cheers. "This Is a non-partisan meet ing" Judge Lane continued. We are here to counsel together. There is no time for intemperate speech or action. We are met to relieve the intolerable conditions under which we are suifer- ing. (Appiause) The law shall be maintained at all hazards. (Applause). T do not believe the great body of rninera of Alabama approve or sanction inc outrageous murders that have been committed in the district. We may diff fer in our views as to the controversy in this district, but hereafter no one shall commit murder In this county and go unpunished." (Cheers).
 Judge Lane suggested that commit tee should be created to probe into the situation. He said 1t should Invite conferences with the mine owners and the miners, and 1t should devise means to run down evil men who are foment- ing lawlessness. This committee might have been raised later had 1t not been that the audience became worked to such a high pitch that nasty adjourn ment was deemed advisable.
 A. c. Smith moved that a committee of five be appointed to retire and re- port resolutions. There was some ob- lection from the floor, but the motion was adopted and A. G. Smith, E. IL Cabaniss Robert Jemison, R. N. Rhodes and ". P. c. Harding were named as the committee
 In a few minutes the committee re- ported the resolutions which were read by Mir. Smith who admitted frankly that the resolutions had been prepared in advance of the meeting.
 Whereas. there has existed, in the mining district of Alabama, for the past month. a spirit of anarchy and lawlessness among certain citizens in our midst; and
 Whereas, this spirit of anarchy and Iawlessness has manifested itself in serious inexcusable and premeditated outbreaks against law and order; and
 Whereas. under Its influence certain Iawless persons have dehed the con- stituted authorities of this State, whose duty it is to preserve law and order;