Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-11

the resignation be accepted. MT. O'Con- nor seconded the motion. On vote on the question Messrs. Daly, O'Connor. Scott and Saltzman voted yea and Messrs. Thornton, Miller Tomppert and Gregg voted no. The chair cast the deciding vote against the motion, which was lost.
 The motion to accept the resignation resulted in tie, the gentlemen casting their votes as previously and the chair casting the deciding vote.
 The chair asked what disposition should be made of the resignations of Messrs. Brown and Lockwood, but no action was taken.
 A Motion to Reconsider.
 MT. Miller then moved to reconsider the action of the committee relative to the plan for naming candidates. MT. Daly seconded the motion, but after wards withdrew his second. MT. Thorn ton then seconded the motion.
 In giving his reason for wanting a re- consideration MT. Thornton said he did not want the party to again be confront ed with what occurred two years ago. We want a plan that is fair to every candidate, so that no one can object to the nominees This IS my reason for taking the stand I do. We know politics means war and we rarely find man who is willing to submit to the voice of voters. Frauds invariably are charged. The present plan does not provide for registration because some say 1t IS too expensive. Another objection to the plan is the convention. In a convention del- egates can get together and name the weakest man. Another objection is that delegates to a convention have powers sovereign to themselves. In view Of these facts I offer the following plan as a substitute to the one now in force and feel sure that it will give satisfaction to all concerned"
 Mr. Thornton then read the following plan:
 The Thornton Plan.
 Resolved, That primary election shall be held on the 9th day of October, lS96, for the selection of one candidate for mayor and two candidates for aldermen from each of the nine wards of the city of Bir- mingham, to be voted for on the lst day of December, 1896, at the regular election of said city, and for the purpose of elect ing from each of said wards two eXecu- tive committeeman to succeed this com mittee; and said primary election shall be held under the following plan:
 1. That all white voters who will be qualified electors of said city at said city election shall be entitled to vote in said primary election in the wards in which they are residents.
 2. That on said 9th day of October, at 10 o'clock a. m., a person, to be selected by this committee for each of said wards, at a. place in each of the said wards to be selected by this committee, shall select not less than three managers of said pri- mary election, who are voters in the ward from which they are selected, who shall have the power to select as many clerks as may be necessary, each candidate Tor mayor having the right to name at least one of said managers
 3. Said managers of each of said wards shall conduct an election by ballot, which haI ma " hn ai paper containing the names of the choice of the voter for mayor and two aldermen and one executive committee, put no voter shall be required to vote for more than one candidate for any of said offices or positions. Ballot boxes shall be pro yided, a poll list shall be kept, each bal lot shall be numbered by the managers which number shall correspond to the name of the voter on the poll list Who cast the same and said managers shall keep their respective polling places open until D. m. of said day of said primary election, when the same shall be closed.
 A. That no voter shall be allowed to vote out of the ward of his residence and to ascertain the qualifications of the said voters said managers are required to use the lists prepared for the recent democratic state and county primary election as guides and any person who has transferred his residence to another ward since said registration was made, who did not register in the said state ana county primary or who has become a qualified voter in said city since said registration was made, can register on the day of said primary election at place in said city to be designated by this committee, to whom shall be gwen a registration certificate, which certlh- cate shall be surrendered to the man. agers of the election of the ward in which such voter is entitled to vote at the time he casts his ballot.
 5. It shall be the duty of said managers to preserve order at said election; they shall and each of them have the right to challenge any voter, and on all dis puted questions a decision of majority of the managers shall be final, and they shall perform any other duties usually required of managers of election not in- consistent with this plan.
 G. All candidates for mayor and alder men shall file with the chairman of the executive committee information of their purpose to seek the nomination under this plan on or before September 22, 1S9o, at 12 o'clock m., in order that provision may be made for their candidacy re- spectively, and each candidate for mayor shall deposit with the chairman of said executive committee the sum Of S100 when he declares his intention to enter as candidate, this fund to be used for expenses of election. Any excess of such amount that remains after the election to be refunded to the respective deposit- ors.
 2. Each candidate, on announcing or filing notice of his purpose to run, shall pledge himself to abide by the result of said primary election and to actively and faithfully support the nominees thereof ri
 8. The chairman of this committee shall certify to the managers of said primary election the candidates who have complied with the provisions of sections and z of this plan, and only those who have so compiled shall be voted for in said primary election.
 g. At the close of said polls it shall be the duty of the said managers of each of said wards to count the votes cast for each candidate voted for and certify to
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