The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-05
O'NEAL SPEAKS ID CROWD AT ENSLEY Commissioner Weatherly
 Also Makes Talk HAD BIG CELEBRATION Steel City Has Greatest Fourth In Its History-O'Neal Re-
 views Work of the
 Legislature
HAD BIG CELEBRATION

The Fourth of July celebration at Ems lev yesterday was one of the biggest ever witnessed in the history of the Steel City. With the governor of the state, com missioner of the city of Birmingham, to- gether with the best population of Ems lev on hand the national holiday was passed in a pleasant and profitable man. ner.
 At o'clock the long line of business wagons, industrial exhibits, carriages. au- tomobles and other eauipages were formed and headed by brass band they wended their way through the principal streets and then headed for the picnic grounds some 12 blocks distant.
 The features of the day were speeches by Commissioner Weatherly and Gov ernor ONeal. N. H. Mcdowell introduced Commissioner Weatherly, who was the first speaker. Commissioners Weatherly made a fine speech He first eomph- mented Ensley on the excellent showing made at the polls Monday. He said that it showed that the Ensley people had faith in them and that they meant 10 make good by helping Ensley in any way pos sible. One of the first things the com missioners are planning to do is to com plete the High school and equip 1t.
 Commissioner Weatherly also spoke of the need of a park at Ensley. He ex- pressed himself as being of the opinion that the commissioners would be willing to provide for one and said that he thought the location selected for the cele- bration would be an ideal place.
 At the conclusion of his speech MT. Weatherly introduced Governor ONeal, who on arising 10 speak received an ova- ton from the rapidly increasing crowd. Governor O'Neal made a great speech, which was given close attention by his audience, and was frequently and loudly applauded. He spoke at length reviewing the work of the late legislature and the measures passed by it. He opened his address by expressing his pleasure at be-
 ing present at the occasion, and that he had cancelled previous engagement to be with the people of Ensley and of Jefferson county, to whom he said he felt he owed a debt of gratitude for their loyal support to his administration. In eloquent and glowing terms he alluded to the significance of the day and the patriots who had made the day possible.
 He spoke of the war between the states and the dark days that followed 1t, and reviewed the progress and means by which the country was united. and proud ly asserted that the south yeilded to no section of the country in it's loyalty to common flag.
 He spoke of his record since taking hold of the rens of government and the work of the recent legislature. and of the measures passed The laws passed for the benefit of the schools and the general health were explained at length as was the work relative to the passage of the local option laws. In speaking of his official acts he mentioned the Jim wright case and said that as long as he was governor he was for the strict en- .forcement of all law and that he would require the full discharge of duty from all officials.
 The distinguished speaker made many references to the laws passed by the leg islature and the many benefits to the state therefrom. He. concluded by again thanking the people of the states great est county for the many kindnesses he had received at their hands and assured them that he was proud to be their guest for the time being.
 Governor O'Neal was given an outburst of cheers and applause as he smilingly took his seat
 Among the guests present were Com missioner Exum, Secretary Scudder Ryall, Senator Gambill of Troy and many other prominent citizens.