The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-15
LAST VISIT HERE ON
 DAY 0'bR|EN OPERA
 HOUSE WAS OPENED
E. E. Britton, Raleigh Edi- tor, Compares the City of Today to That
 of the sos

Edward E. Britton, editor of the
 News and Observer of Raleigh, N. C..
 Known as the paper ot Josephus Dan
 ieis' Is in Birmingham. When he was m Birmingham before-in the early sVs-he attended theatrical per romance which signalized the opening of the old o'Brien theatre
 In addition to being one of the few
 men in the United States-other than
 residents of this city-who can &C., cnrately IS a result of experience, com pare Birmingham of the beginning with the Birmingham of today, MT. Britton has claim to distinction. He was sec retary of the Baltimore convention which nominated Woodrow Wilson; he is member of the advisory commit tee of the democratic executive csm- n.ittee of North Carolina. and was one of the founders of the Southern Edu- eational association.
 That Birmingham is one of the won an observation of the visitor. He de clared that but for the fact that he couldn't bring Josephus Daniels paper to Birmingham. he would be glad Q live here.
 How Britt Won Out Tt is true.' said MT. Britton, "thai North Carolina elected one republican congressman. In Louisiana, a progress sive was elected. but he won out os, account of that provision of the Un- derwood tariff bill. which touches su gar. The success of Mir Britt in North Carolina was not due to the effect of any measure adopted by democrats
 to any discourtesy intended for the administration of President Wilson, or to the effect on business which the European war has exerted.
 "As is remembered, the democrats ol l the Tenth North Carolina district en- deavored to nominate their candidate for Congress in a convention. Gudger
 the incumbent, and R. R. Reynolds ef-
 fected a deadlock. and no relief could be had. After several weeks of futile effort, it was agreed to nominate through primary. The primary was very bitter inasn,uch as Reynolds pre-
 
 Gudger against Reynolds. Gudger Wa. nominated On election day, some ele
 ments of the Reynolds faction of th, party either remained at home or voted against Gudger. Therefore. his de | feat was the natural outcome. However. the Tenth district is nor l mally democratic. and in 1916, we vii again send a solid delegation to Wash l ington. There is movement on foo | now to persuade Governor Craig, ar
 unusually popular man, to offer fo Congress in order that the defeat O Mir. Britt, republican nominee, may b. assured.
 Birmingham By Candle Light
 Birmingham is a remarkable city. l the early sos. On that night th' oBrien opera house was opened. l "When I arrived at the station | followed a board walk to Q hotel. Tn, hotel was dark and dingy. I re- member that on the desk of the clerl was burning, or rather smoking, | l kerosene lamp. The negro porte | showed me to my room with the aif of candle. The room was whitewashec inside. I recall that fact distinctl,
 because on the following morning i | was necessary for me to brush linn, from my coat sleeves.
 And now. behold this marvellous city! I cannot refrain from a menta l comparison of the magnificent hotel and office buildings, some of whicl practically touch the sky. with the lil tle hotel of my former visit, the can ! dies and lamps which only served to em | phasize the paucity of light"