The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-03
WILL VISIT BIRMINGHAM
 AFTER TRIP TO PANAMA
Told by Rhodes His Election Was
 a Benediction.
Editor Tn Happy Speech Declares the spit in Politics Would Be Well eomed - President-EIeet
 Speaks of Future.


 net result extends Mir. Taft's Southern itinerary to include visits to Birming- ham. Ala, and Athens. Ga, and to ad- dress the people of Augusta from the same street corner at which they oncs listened to President Mckinley.
 The Birmingham visit was induced by large delegation of the prominent business and professional men from that city. Just when Mir. Taft will make this visit is somewhat uncertain. If it is possible for him to do SO. he will go to Birmingham on his way North from Panama: If not. he will include that city in the Itinerary which he will make for an extended Southern trip as soon as his duties as President will permit
 The Athens visit depends somewhat on the Atlanta Committee of Arrange ments for the festivities to be held iE. that city on the 18th and 1sth instant. i. If 1t Is possible to do so, and Mir. Taft thinks 1t is, he will have his special car stopped at Athens on his return from Atlanta long enough to go to the State University and make his address. Ills Augusta neighbors were made perfect ly happy in the promise of the address and the further willingness of the Pres- ident-elect to place himself in the hands of the Chamber of Commerce for din-
 
 occur on January 21.
 x Mir. Taft said today that his cabinet would not be completed until March |. He added that he expected to mako progress in that direction before he sailed for Panama. the inference boing that some oe the places would sba Elled and the announcement made before he sails. He said he should not eonsidef foreign appointments until his eahl- "a q ~ 1ra
 Leawe at Anapsta.
 United States Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. of Massachusetts. arrived hera today by Invitation. Mir Lodge spent the greater part Of tls@ afternoon with Mir Taft and has engAgenAents for tnz morrow to continuc the consultation. He expects to leave for Washington teInor- row night.
 The Senator said today that he had nothing whatever to say for publlea- ton.
 Mir. Taft said they had discussed cab- met matters. The friendiiness of Mfr. Lodge for Post -sater General Meyer is we'll known: v-'o the fact that he be- lieves Mir. Meyers services would add to the strength of the cabinet, prefer ably as the head of the Treasury De- partment.
 William Nelson Cromwell, of New York. has been invited here by Mir. raft
 John Hays Hammond, president of the National League of Republican Clubs. and Frank H. Hitchcock Chair man of the National Republican Com mittee. attended a barbecue at the lodge of the local hunt club here today.
 The exchange of felicitations between Mfr. Taft and the Birmingham delegation were decidedly cordial and interesting. as showing the importance attached to the presence in the South of Mfr. Taft from the viewpoint of the business men of the section.
 General Rufus N Rhodes. editor ne The Birmingham News spoke for the delegation. which was headed by John l.. Kaul. president of the Commercial Club. What he said was seconded by r R. Aldrich. large mining operator: E. W. Barrett. editor of The ARe-Her aid. spoke as the representative of the press. and Judge S. D. weakiey. of the bar association.
 Of the delegation of twenty-five. not more than five. 1t was said. were Re- puhiteans. the remainder being Demo- crats.
 Rhodes Is SiEnsficaRt.
 Judge Taft" said Mfr. Rhodes. 1T am going to take advantage of this op- portnnity to say to you that if you knew the heart and head of the men of the South, and particularly of Bir- mingham. you would know that they regard the result of the last election as a benediction from God Almighty him. self to the people of the South over their own protest.
 " am Democrat; most of these gentlemen are Democrats, but we all welcome your advent into the South. not only because we have come to love you for your human qualities. for we understand that your sympathies are broad the universe. but because you have come here, sir. indicating to US that you want the South once again. to hold her place in the councils of the nation. I want to say to you that you will find no more fertile field for the planting of your seeds of patriot Ism. independence of thought indepen- dence of political action--you will find no more fertile field in America than among the representative men of tho city of Birmingham. Ala.
 While we arc a new town. not forty years old. yet having for moro than ten. years made the price of pig iron for the civilized world and seized the sceptre Of steel from Pittsburg. stiIi we are old enough to know how to dispense a genuine and cordial hos pitality to good man any day or night. We really feel that you could jo g great work along the lines you have Indicated. more at Birmingham possibly than any other point In the 
 We all want you. but the thing of all things. we want you to see is not only our remarkable city, in the heights of its buildings. in the vast- ness of its industries. in the loving. service we would like to do you and Mrs raft, but that you may come thsre and-though Democrat and life long Democrat--I. am willing % say it--heip us strike off our hands. the shackles of an ignorant political