History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 45

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

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The Mobile cotton exchange, the outgrowth of a casual conference at a restaurant dinner was next in order of organization, dating from December 7, 1871. It was the third or- ganized in the United States, antedated hy those of New York and New Orleans. In the development of its activities the statistics of cotton movement and fluctuation, and of

financial, commercial and industrial agencies were assembled. The production of the staple was encouraged throughout the south, and it was a potent agency in bringing Alabama to a place of fourth rank in cotton production. Clean practices in trading, and the main- tenance of a stable market as far as possible, have been adhered to by the exchange.

In the nineties the Mobile Commercial Club appears as an active promoting agency. Sev- eral pamphlets and other descriptive litera- ture were compiled and published under its direction.

In 1899 the Mobile Chamber of Commerce was an active agency in city development. A "Commercial Guide," carefully compiled and well-illustrated, was published by it. In 1908, in cooperation with the Maritime Exchange and Shippers' Association, it was actively pro- moting better port facilities for the city. Later the Mobile Progressive Association was formed, modeled on the very successful or- ganization of the same name in operation in New Orleans.

The present organization, known as the Mohile Chamber of Commerce and Business League, represents the consolidation January 25, 1912, of the old Chamber of Commerce, the Progressive Association and the Commer- cial Club. Details of the organization of the Maritime Exchange and Shippers' Associa- tion, and of the Commercial Club are not im- mediately available.

Tuscaloosa .- Another early organization was the Tuskaloosa Board of Industries, com- posed principally of the leading business men of the city. Details of formation are not pre- served, but a pamphlet dated January 18, 1875, and published the next year would indi- cate the approximate date. The president was Washington Moody, and the committee pre- paring the pamphlet was made up of Thomas Maxwell, Horace Harding and S. J. Leach. The title of the pamphlet is "Reliable Infor- mation as to the city and county of Tuska- loosa, Alabama, for capitalists, manufactur- ers, miners, agriculturists, and all other classes who desire to improve their condition and se- cure healthful and eligible homes for them- selves and their families." It is just the type of publication which represents the activities of chambers of commerce as at present con- stituted.

Some time prior to 1903 the Board of Trade was founded. In 1904 an illustrated booklet was issued by it, descriptive of the city as a place for the homeseeker, the in- vestor and the manufacturer. Interest evi- dently died down, since the present body of the same name, dating from June 10, 1909, states that it succeeded "earlier organizations which had lapsed into inactivity."

Montgomery .- Organized civic enterprise in Montgomery had its beginning with the formation of the Commercial and Industrial Association March 3, 1890. It was incor- porated March 8, 1890. The first president was M. B. Houghton, and the first secretary, W. C. Bibb, jr. For 15 years it labored un- ceasingly to bring the claims of the capital city to homeseekers and investors, for the en-

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largement of trade territory, for the improve- ment of transportation facilities, both hy rail and by water, and it encouraged a broad and liberal policy of civic development. In 1906 the name was changed to the Commercial Club. On November 12, 1906, a proposition was submitted by Dr. John A. Rice, pastor of Court Street Methodist Church, and others, on behalf of the Methodists, for the location at Montgomery of a college for young women. The proposition was eagerly accepted, and the board of directors committed itself to the task of raising $50,000 and of securing a site of 50 acres of land. The present Woman's Col- lege of Alabama is the direct result of the movement thus begun.

During this period the Montgomery Rebate Association, the Montgomery Freight Bureau and the Advertising League had been organ- ized. It was helieved by the leaders in these organizations and in the Commercial Club that there ought to he a unification of effort. As a result of much thoughtful consultation, there was a consolidation of these four sev- eral organizations, and a general reorganiza- tion. The name, Business Men's League, was chosen, and on April 10, 1910, it was incor- porated. On July 15, 1914, the name was changed to Chamber of Commerce of Mont- gomery. In 1910 Bruce Kennedy was chosen general secretary, a position he still holds. The business, professional and patriotic inter- ests of the city responded to the consolidated organization in a whole-hearted way, and the growth of Montgomery marks the stages of its aggressive activities.

In the spring of 1915 a campaign was in- stituted for arousing a more general interest in the support of the work, which resulted in the adoption of a new constitution, April 29th, and also in a complete reorganization of the machinery and methods of operation. The purposes as stated in the new constitution are illustrative of the large vision of opportunity of commercial bodies, and that paragraph is here given in full:

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the commercial, industrial, trans- portation and other interests of the City and County of Montgomery; and to advertise and push their advantages for trade, industries, agriculture and as a place of residence, and to solidify the efforts of the citizens of the City and County of Montgomery in its ad- vancement; to promote the business interests of the members of this organization and for their social and literary advancement."

The basis of organization is a state-wide membership of individuals, partnerships and corporations. Single memberships are fixed at $25.00. Individuals, firms and corpora- tions are expected to take memberships in proportion to their financial standing, or to the size of their business. The governing body is a board of directors of 21, with a president and 8 vice-presidents. The several vice-presidents are in charge of the seven fol- lowing main divisions, namely, rural affairs, retail trade, wholesale trade, industrial, civic, publicity and conventions, traffic and transpor- tation. The membership is itself subdivided

into trade groups, according to the trade, in- dustries or occupation of the member. These trade groups are represented by two delegates each in a membership council, which consti- tutes "the initiative and referendum depart- ment of the organization." The board of di- rectors sits weekly. The membership council meets semi-monthly. An annual meeting of the entire membership is held, at which re- ports are received and officers elected. The period immediately following the enlarge- ment of plans in 1915 has been rich in achievement. Through cooperation with the officials of the United States and state agri- cultural extension service, agricultural condi- tions have been quickened, several industries have been secured, numerous conventions have been brought to the city, an active and up to date freight bureau is maintained, trade excursions made, and numerous plans for en- larging the wholesale trade territory put in motion. Among other evidences of accom- plishment are the grain elevators and union stock yards.

In 1917 after the United States had joined forces with the allies in the European War, the Chamber of Commerce by a demonstra- tion of the commercial, transportation, health and social advantages of the city was able to secure the location of a national guard camp, known officially as Camp Sheridan. Shortly afterward Taylor Aviation Field and the avi- ation repair shops were located in or near the city. But perhaps more important than these material achievements is the definite and as- sured place which the Chamber of Commerce as a commercial organization has assumed, as a result of war. As stated in the preliminary paragraphs above, the United States Govern- ment has adopted the policy of treating with chambers of commerce, rather than state, county or municipal officials in all general subjects affecting camp location, camp rela- tions, health, sanitation, etc.

Birmingham .- The Birmingham Commer- cial Club was organized in 1892, and its first secretary was Chappell Cory. It was reorgan- ized in 1909 as the Chamber of Commerce. Apart from many other important achieve- ments, not the least was the financial and other assistance rendered Miss Ethel Armes in the preparation of a first-hand study in "The Story of Coal 'and Iron in Alabama," published in 1910. At present there are in Birmingham five organizations, all more or less actively engaged in civic work, as will appear from the list herein below.

Statewide Organizations .- The value of associated effort was early realized, and in 1895 the Alabama Commercial and Industrial Association was formed, federating local or- ganizations throughout the state. Its first sec- retary was Leslie L. Gilbert, of Montgomery, who retained the position until the organiza- tion passed out of existence in 1907. At the meetings reports were made by the president, the secretary, and the various committees, ad- ministrative problems were discussed, and papers were presented on a great variety of subjects. At the sessions of 1903 the work of the U. S. Department of Agriculture was

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commended and its enlargement urged, the trading stamp evil was condemned, represen- tation of the state at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis was commended, farm- ers' clubs were encouraged, and strong dec- larations were made in favor of the improve- ment of public roads. Notwithstanding the obvious value of a statewide organization, and the evident success with which the Alabama Commercial and Industrial Association was meeting the demand, it was suffered to die. Its thirteenth annual meeting was held July 3-4, 1907, at Selma. This was probably the last.

In 1907 the following organizations were in active affiliation with the Alabama Com- mercial and Industrial Association: Annis- ton Chamber of Commerce; Birmingham Commercial Club; Decatur Business Men's League; Enterprise Commercial and Indns- trial Association; Florence Young Men's Commercial Club; Gadsden Commercial & In- dustrial Association; Huntsville Business Men's League; Jasper Commercial Club; Mo- bile Commercial Club; Montgomery Com- mercial CInh; New Decatur Commercial Club; Selma Commercial and Industrial Associa- tion; Talladega Industrial Association; Union Springs Commercial and Industrial Associa- tion; Wetumpka Industrial Association.

Another general body, but no particulars of which are at hand, was the Alabama Busi- ness League, the organization and first an- nual convention of which was held at Mont- gomery November 29-30, 1910. The presi- dent was J. B. Babb, of Birmingham, and the secretary Bruce Kennedy, of Montgomery. The only literature available is an address delivered at the meeting by Charles W. Hare, of Tuskegee, on "The Country newspaper's part in the upbuilding of Alabama."

Southern Commercial Secretaries' Associa- tion .- This body, organized in 1907 for the purpose of federating the executive officers of the several commercial bodies in the south for conference and for mutual betterment, is generally supported in Alabama. Its presi- dent for 1913-1914 was Bruce Kennedy, sec- retary of the Montgomery Chamber of Com- merce. Its secretary-treasurer for 1914-1915 was William C. Radcliffe of Birmingham; and Morgan Richards was the acting secretary in 1917-1918. The eighth annual convention was held in Montgomery, May 20-22, 1915.

Present Organizations .- The period of ac- tivity in town building, coincident with and as a part of the mineral development of north Alabama, within the past quarter century has been the principal stlmulus for commercial organizations. Every town had its commer- cial body, formed to make its peculiar ad- vantages known to the investing public. They were called by various names, and very few in original form have survived. In many cases after periods of inactivity, they would be revived, only to again lapse. Since 1900 the conception of such organizations as hav- ing a definite, distinct and permanent place in civic activities has brought about the uni- fication of effort, and a general conformity to certain agreed standards, including the

new name of chambers of commerce. Al- though diligent effort has been made to se- cure details, very few facts of organization and subsequent history have been secured, and it has been impossible to do more than append a list of active bodies, without indi- cation of relationship to prior efforts. The relative fulness of treatment as to Mobile and Montgomery organizations is due to the cooperation afforded in assembling data, while for other localities no assistance was afforded.

The list of active bodies follows: Albany Board of Commerce;

Anniston Chamber of Commerce;

Andalusia Chamber of Commerce;

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce;

Birmingham Board of Trade;

Birmingham Civic Association;

Birmingham Business Men's League;

Birmingham Ad Club;

Brewton Chamber of Commerce;

Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce;

Clanton Commercial Club;

Decatur Board of Trade;

Demopolis Business Men's League;

Dothan Chamber of Commerce;

Eufaula Commercial Club;

Florence Chamber of Commerce; Gadsden Chamber of Commerce; Greenville Commercial Club;

Huntsville Chamber of Commerce;

Hurtsboro Board of Trade;

Jasper Commercial Club;

Lafayette Business Men's League of Cham- bers County;

Lanett Chamber of Commerce;

Mobile Chamber of Commerce and Busi- ness League;

Mobile Cotton Exchange;

Montgomery Chamber of Commerce;

Opelika Chamber of Commerce;

Prattville Commercial Club;

Roanoke Commercial Club;

Selma Chamber of Commerce;

Sheffield Commercial Club;

Troy Board of Trade;

Tuscaloosa Board of Trade;

Tuskegee Commercial Club;

Union Springs Commercial and Industrial Association;

Wetumpka Industrial Club.

REFERENCES .- Sturges, American Chambers of Commerce (1915) ; Mclaughlin and Hart, Cyclo- paedia of American Government (1914), vol. 1, p. 334; Acts, 1853-54, p. 270; Alabama History Commission, Report (190-), p. 147; Hamilton, Mobile of the Five Flags (1913), p. 376.

CHANANAGI. An Upper Creek town in the present Bullock County. The name indi- cates that it was probably located on Chun- nenuggee Ridge as at present known. For some year prior to 1860, near the flag station of Chunnenuggee on the present Central of Georgia R. R., was a celebrated camp ground. The place is still frequented, but only by negroes. It is a tradition that the Indian town was located only a few miles distant, and near the present village of Suspension.

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The site is very near, or within Lower Creek territory.

See Chunnenuggee.

REFERENCES .- Handbook of American Indians (1907), vol. 1, p. 234; Gatchet, in Alabama His- tory Commission, Report (1901), vol. 1, p. 411.

CHANCERY COURTS. Courts of original jurisdiction in equity causes, created by act of January 26, 1839, and abolished by the legislature, August 16, 1915.

Under act of February 10, 1807, equity jurisdiction was conferred upon the superior courts of the Mississippi Territory. (See Territorial Courts.) With the adoption of the constitution of 1819, the legislature was given power "to establish a court or courts of chancery with original and appellate jurisdic- tion." At the same time, it was provided that "until the establishment of such court or courts, the said jurisdiction shall be vested in the judges of the circuit courts respec- tively." The legislature, December 14, 1819, followed with an enactment that the "equity jurisdiction heretofore belonging to the supe- rior courts of law and equity in the territorial government" should he vested in the circuit courts of the State. On January 1, 1823, a body of rules was enacted, governing proceed- ings in chancery suits.

The limited litigation in equity causes was thus thrown into the circuit courts, which handled all such business until the adoption of the act of 1839 ahove referred to. From time to time, suggestion had been made that separate courts of chancery should be estab- lished, but always without result.

In his first annual message, submitted De- cember 3, 1838, Gov. A. P. Baghy made an urgent recommendation, which was favorably received, and an act passed and approved Jan- uary 26, 1839. Two chancery divisions were created, of three districts each. All powers of the judges of the circuit courts in chancery were withdrawn, "and vested in the courts of chancery, and the chancellors hereby estab- lished." Two chancellors were elected by the same legislature, with terms of six years each. The establishment of the courts evidently met with favor, for hy a subsequent act of Decem- ber 30, 1842, they were reorganized. Three chancery divisions and 40 chancery dis- tricts were provided, the northern, middle, and southern division, to which the several 40 districts were assigned. A minute sys- tem of proceedings was adopted. These, with varying amendments, prompted hy changed conditions, and the changing nature of judicial procedure itself, were in force with the abolition of the court and the transfer of its jurisdiction to the newly established sys- tem of circuit courts in 1915.

The two chancellors provided by the act of 1839 were E. Woolsey Peck and Anderson Crenshaw for the northern and middle divi- sions respectively. In 1841 the legislature elected Joshua L. Martin as chancellor for the newly created middle division. On Feb- ruary 28, 1887, the divisions were rearranged and designated as the northeastern, north- western, southeastern, and southwestern. To

meet the still growing demands of business, another division was created, to be known as the northern chancery division, February 14, 1895.

Chancellors .-

J. J. Altman, 1904-1905;

H. Austill, 1874-1881;

A. H. Benners, 1905-1917;

Alexander Bowie, 1839-1845;

William M. Byrd, 1863-1864;

J. C. Carmichael, 1898-1904; William R. Chapman, 1914-1915;

James B. Clark, 1845; 1851-1863;

Thomas Cobb, 1880-1893;

N. W. Cocke, 1861-1868;

Thomas W. Coleman, 1887-1890;

Anderson Crenshaw, 1839-1847;

A. W. Dillard, 1868-1881;

J. R. Dowdell, 1896-1897;

Thomas M. Espy, 1914;

Adam C. Felder, 1868-1874;

W. H. Fellows, 1865;

J. A. Foster, 1880-1893;

John Foster, 1856-1865;

Lucien D. Gardner, 1907-1914;

N. S. Graham, 1874-1885;

James E. Horton, Jr., 1915-1917;

J. R. John, 1864-1865;

R. B. Kelly, 1898-1904;

Wade Keyes, 1853-1859;

J. W. Lesesne, 1847-1853;

Oscar S. Lewis, 1915-1917;

David G. Ligon, 1845-1851;

J. Q. Loomis, 1865-1868;

B. B. McCraw, 1868-1874;

Samuel K. McSpadden, 1865-1868; 1884- 1896;

Joshua L. Martin, 1841-1845;

Wylie W. Mason, 1845-1851;

William L, Parks, 1898-1907;

Elisha W. Peck, 1839;

Milton J. Saffold, 1859-1861;

W. H. Simpson, 1895-1915;

William Skinner, 1868-1873; Thomas H. Smith, 1898-1917; H. C. Speake, 1874-1881;

W. H. Tayloe, 1890-1898; Eggleston D. Townes, 1851-1853;

Charles Turner, 1870-1881;

Abram J. Walker, 1853-1856;

R. S. Watkins, 1873-1874;

W. W. Whiteside, 1905-1917;

Jere N. Williams, 1892-1898;

William B. Woods, 1868-1870.

REFERENCES .- Code, 1907, vol. 2, chiap. 61, secs. 3042-3228; Toulmin, Digest. 1823, pp. 164, 382, 487; Aikin, Digest, p. 286; Clay, Di- gest, p. 344; Acts, 1838-39, p. 28; Ibid, 1840-41, p. 30; Ibid, 1886-87, p. 134; Ibid, 1894-95, p. 564; General Acts, 1915, pp. 279, 598, 608; Constitution, 1901, secs. 139, 145, 159, 163, 166, 171; Brewer, Alabama (1872), p. 98; Garrett, Public men in Alabama (1872), p. 779.

CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS. Institutions or voluntary societies, formed for the purpose of administering relief to the needy, the un- fortunate, or the helpless. They are perma- nent or temporary. The latter includes spe- cial commissions to meet emergencies, as re- lief for flood sufferers, families of victims of

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mine disasters, etc. Work in the field of charity and relief grows out of the noblest promptings of the human heart, and the ap- plication of systematic and orderly principles, to the development and permanent ongoing of such work, are the most marked indication of the humane spirit of the age.

In the brief details given in this title, no account is here taken of State institutions for specific relief, as insane hospitals, Confeder- ate soldiers' home, etc. It is devoted to a general consideration only of independent re- lief organizations, administered by private control. Alabama has no board of state char- ities, no board of control of state institutions, no state commissions of charities or of state institutions, and no state commissioners or other central supervising agency, whether ap- pointed for the purpose of administering re- lief or for supervising state, municipal, or pri- vate organizations.

Associated Charities .- Charitable and re- lief efforts in Alabama have been largely in- dividual or sporadic, and as part of the activi- ties of churches, fraternal or other estab- lished bodies. No record exists of the very many examples of individual relief, nor of numerous occasions of helpful effort growing out of exceptional conditions. The growth of population and at the same time enlargement of the vision of human need have prompted the organization and coordination of individ- ual giving, resulting in the formation of cen- tral bodies. These are variously known, but the term "Associated charities" has come to be applied generally to such cooperative agencies.

Societies of this name have been formed in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Mobile, Montgom- ery, Florence, Anniston and Bessemer. Un- fortunately the enthusiasms prompting organ- ization are not at all times enduring, so that local societies are often permitted to die out. In some instances, as with Birmingham, they have been absorbed in the welfare activities of the municipality. In a modest way, the Tuscaloosa society maintains a vigorous ex- istence, with a paid superintendent. In Mo- bile the United Hebrew Charities federates the relief efforts of and for the Jewish popu- lation, but not limiting its benefactions.

In Montgomery an organization was formed in 1903. Its literature is illustrative of a progressive program, and entitles it to de- tailed reference. Its objects are declared to be to unite and develop all the charitable re- sources of the community for the relief of poverty, the prevention of pauperism and crime, and the raising of the standards of the community. These objects were to be at- tained by cooperation between public and pri- vate agencies, churches and individuals, the installation of a system of inquiry and the investigation of conditions, registration, friendly visiting, education of the community on subjects connected with charity adminis- tration, and the promotion of law enforce- ment, and necessary legislation. Its activi- ties, however, were permitted to lapse, but a reorganization was effected in 1913. The present body maintains a central office in the

down town district, and conducts its work in accordance with up-to-date methods as far as applicable to the city.

Municipal Charities .- As a part of their general powers cities and towns are author- ized to assist in relieving the dependent poor of the municipality, may make appropriations in support of such work, may make contribu- tions to or subsidies to private organizations whose activities are devoted to charity and relief, and may appoint officers or agencies to carry forward relief work. In a limited way this power is exercised in the several cities and towns of the state. In some the work is systematic. In Montgomery a subsidy is voted to the associated charities. The city of Bir- mingham has a department of relief and cor- rections, administered by a superintendent. This department has five divisions, namely, welfare department, city relief division, in- dustrial department, employment bureau, and Pisgah Welfare Home. All of the public charities of the city are administered through this department. The titles of the several divisions suggest their activities. Pisgah Welfare Home is located at Old Germania Park, and is equipped to care for the dis- tressed, the poor, the infirm, and the indigent sick.

Church Charities .- Practically all churches do charitable and relief work, but under very varying methods of administration. In the larger cities, regular departments of charities are maintained, supported from the church treasury, or from special funds raised for that specific use. The various ladies' societies, Sunday schools, Epworth Leagues, Societies of Christian Endeavor, the Baptist Young People's Union, and other young people's or- ganizations all make contributions to charity funds, and in many instances actually share in administration. In some instances there are federations of the relief departments of the several churches of the same denomina- tions within a given area, as the Montgomery City Mission of the Methodist Churches. Churches also conduct rescue homes, day nur- series, provide matrons at railway stations, maintain deaconesses in poor districts, or in charity hospitals, but in many cases they act directly through committees appointed by local boards of stewards, boards of deacons, church societies, or by the church wardens. Specific mention should be made of the char- ity activities of the Salvation Army and of the Volunteers of America. Wherever these in- stitutions maintain posts, there they also maintain "open house" for the poor, the des- titute and the needy. They do not await the direct appeal, but they search out those whom they can assist, and without red tape or detail they administer relief. They care not that occasional mistakes may be made, well know- ing that it were better to take the risk than that one in distress should be unrelieved or hungry and without food, or sick and without a physician.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 45

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756