The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-19
Mass Meeting At O'Bfien's s Opera House Attended Gy
 Prominent Citizens
SPEAKERS URGE VOTERS
 ID STAND BY FRIENDS
Strong Arguments Are Advanced Why EnsIey Should Become Part of the Metropolis of
 State.

That the spirit of Greater Birming- ham burns bright In the hearts of the citys best citizens was demonstrated last night when the lower floor of the O'Brien opera house was well filled with the most representative men of the city.
 The old fighting blood which carried the measure through the legislature once before against great odds was aroused to fever pitch last night, and speeches flashing with fire, meat and eloquence were delivered.
 Sterling A. Wood presided as chair man, and seated on the platform with him were John w. Tomlinson T. G. Bush, D. J. Dunn, James Bowron, Golf fee Jackson, B. l.. Wyman, Jere King, T. H. Motion, Frank Nelson, Jr., Syd- ney J. Bowie, c. w. Ufford, M. P. Mes ser and John W. o'Neill. c. w. Ufford was appointed secretary.
 Resolutions Adopted.
 After enthusiastic speeches had been made by a number of these gentlemen T. H. Motion introduced the following pithy resolution, which was unanimous ly adopted:
 "Whereas. our people have time and again shown their earnest desire for a Greater Birmingham, so essential to preserve the health of the valley, so necessary to provide proper education- al facilities, so desirable to supply ade- quate fire and police protection and so important to assure Birmingham of its entitled rank in the next census with the consequent impetus to industry and prosperity and
 Whereas, at the impending session of the legislature a Greater Birming- ham bill will be introduced, including East Lake, Woodlawn, West End, Ely ton Graymont, North Birmingham, Thomas and Ensley which has been in- dorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade and meets with the approval of our citizens generally; and
 Whereas, at an election held Jan uary 6, 1909, under the King bill passed by the legislature and declared in- valid because of irregularities in the senate, the people overwhelmingly de- clared in favor of Greater Birmingham by vote of 349S to 300; and
 "Whereas, the proposal to leave the question of annexation to the whim of each municipality would defeat Greater Birmingham as the unbroken experi- ence of cities shows that no city has been made great by that method; and
 "Whereas, the Smyer bill, the Miller bill and the code provision relating to annexation have all been demonstrated to be ineffective; and
 "Wh ereas, the cry for local self government has no application to the annexation by city, but the true prin- ciple is that time honored democratic and American one of let the majority rule; therefore be 1t
 Resolved, That we call upon our senator and representatives in the leg islature to support the bill heretofore mentioned as having been advertised" !"
 Upon the motion of Sydney J. Bowie this amendment was tackled on and adopted by a unanimous vote during a round of loud applause:
 Be 1t further resolved. That we call upon all those who favor Greater Bir- minsham to vote tomorrow for no repre- sentative who does not stand squarely and boldly for Greater Birmingham
 "Be it further resolved. That we recon,- mend to the friends of Greater Birming- ham Capt. Romaine Boyd of Ensley, who is clean of record and fearless of action, who has no entangling alliance to make him subservient to the fee-grabbers and who stands first, last and all the time for Greater Birmingham
 Nelson Introduced.
 we are here in the interest of big Birmingham" said Chairman Wood. and after few words in favor of the measure he introduced Frank Nelson, Jr., presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce.
 If every man in Birmingham would do his duty" he said, "the time is near at hand when our dream will be realized and we will build a monument to enter prise and a pride to the whole state.