The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-26

It IS argued by those who would have the circle removed that it furnishes no ornament, as the grass is cut by paths
 which people use in making short cuts;
 and furthermore that it takes up much
 of the space of the street and renders
 ................"........ ................"........
 son meeting, but a gathering of the busi-
 ness men of Birmingham without refer- ence to their political convictions. All of
 the gentlemen here take genuine pleas
 ure in asking Governor Johnson to feel as much at home in Alabama as in Min nesota, and many of us profoundly regret that he did not come sooner.
 Governor Johnson is really the new
 feature of this presidential campaign.
 We are in ballroom tonight, and in this fact we recognize a simile. In the democratic party we have recognized
 belles of long standing. Many have ad-
 mirers but after all it is the debutant who attracts the attention of the gentle
 men in the ballroom. It is this way with Governor Johnson. The more men see of
 him the more they like him, whether l they be Bryan men or what not. The only question facing him is first or sec
 ond choice.
 "we are not much taken to new ideas
 in Alabama. Here we like to vote for a man and keep on voting for him. John- son is a man for time to come He is going to be one of the men who will , make history; he is one of the strong nnr,1a a
 great man and the people are begin
 ming to regard him as a friend. We are all glad to see him here, for we take an interest in his future"
 Lieutenant Governor Gray.
 Lieutenant Governor Henry B. Gray
 made a short talk after Governor John son had spoken. The lieutenant governor
 spoke of how he had been one of the
 committee which weeks ago, before Gov
 ernor Johnson was named as preslden- tial possibility, had invited him to deliver the commencement address at the uni versity tomorrow. He also expressed his
 regret that the great northwesterner had not visited Alabama a few weeks earlier, saying: 'If you had been here and made dozen talks like you did tonight you would have received 51,0O0 votes"
 Lieutenant Governor Gray concluded his talk with a few words in regard to Ala bama affairs, saying: we have been hay ing some corrective legislation. Some of it has has succeeded and some of it Is still in the courts' He also said that the state had appropriated more for edu- I.,,k txr,D I, in the previous 25, closing his talk with a few words in regard to the rumble of the water wagon through Dixie.
 B. M. Allen followed MT. Gray with the words that the coming of Governor Johnson was considered as the salvation of the regulations of Alabama Johnson men, I've have said so many things good about you that people were begin | hing to look upon us with askance, but your presence has proven everything we said to be true" Then, in behalf of ven erable Red mountain and the coal and limestone resources of the Birminghan n district he entered a protest against tho fact that none of the previous speakers had spoken of these resources, and espe- cially considering the fact that 1t was Commercial club dinner.
 Dropping back to the political phase again MT. Allen said: We ought to consider the possibilities of the demo- cratic party. If it has gotten to. the point where we are simply to cover the
 other fellows bets we ought to quit
 believe the democratic party is the logi-
 cal and dominant party. If democracy
 could get something to do, something to
 love, some candidate to inspire hope, we
 would win. And we believe and we hope
 that Governor Johnson is that man."
 James Weatherly was the next speaker.
 referring to Governor Johnson as a man
 with a heart. "Goverror Johnson's suc-