Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-15
GOT DUNN ID BUSINESS The Thornton Plan, With Slight
 Notifications, HAS BEEN AGREED UPON By the City Democratic Executive Committee
 and Is Now Law. MUCH INTEREST AT THE MEETING Vacancies on the Committee Filled-Messrs. Brown and Lockwood's Resigna-
 tions Refused by Unan-
 imous Vote.
MUCH INTEREST AT THE MEETING

The city democratic executive commit tee met last night in the city hall pursu- ant to adjournment
 Chairman Miller called the meeting to order, and Secretary Cosminsky called the roll. The following answered.:
 Chairman Miller Committeeman F. H. Hickman (by proxy, P. Cosminsky), M. M. Williams (by proxy, A. w. Miller), R. l.. Thornton, c. A. Senn, F. F. Saltzman. There being only six present, the ques- tion was raised as to quorum being on hand for th. transaction of business. The chair left it to the will of the committee. The resignations of Messrs. Brown and Lockwood, on motion of MT. Thornton, were not accepted, the vote being unanl- mous
 Committeeman OConnor at this june ture came into the meeting, and was en- rolled as present Committeeman Brown and LOCKWOOD appeared and were duly enrolled.
 The proxies of Messrs. Hickman and Williams were accepted.
 MT S. Steiner requested the floor for ' repr sentative of the German-Amerfcan union.
 The committee on vacancies declared the representations from wards as fol- lows vacant: Sam Galloway, second ward; M Veil, Third ward; E. McGulrk, . Eighth ward. The committee then nominated the fol- lowing to fill said vacancies: w. K. Ter ny, Second ward Dr. J. s. Gillespie, Tnird ward John G. Bradley, Eighth ward. The nominations were declared accepted.
 The chair appointed Messrs '. u. Brown and c. A. Senn a committee to notify the gentlemen and request their presence.
 MT Terry appeared and was informed of his election and took seat in the pooy
 MT. Sig Steiner Speaks
 Mir. Sigfried Steiner, chairman of the committee from the German-Amerlcan union, addressed the committee as fol- lows: "Gentlemen of the City Democratic Executive Committees We come before your honorable body as a committee ap- pointed by the German American union of this city, voicing the sentiment Of SS1 registered voters therein and news or gan, the Birmingham Courier, striving for the advancement and growth or the city, to give expression to our deep con- cern for the general welfare, progress and development of our city and to re- quest that you recognize this union, noI as one of foreigners, but an association or German speaking citizens and tax payers of Birmingham, who by social ties and by common interest know best their wants and can best make them known by social gatherings and discussions among themselves of current questions of the day. We feel assured that your honorable body, representing American voters will not deny the right of any as- sociation of tax paying citizens to peti- tion in behalf of good goyernment-a government that will protect the lnter- ests of all alike. We come, therefore, 10 ask a change of the plan known as the Hill plan, with such safeguards in the way of registration and management as will guarantee full expression and an honest count, giving to the candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the respective positions the demo- cratic nomination Under the old plan we fear there will be danger of repeating and trading, which is repugnant to all true citizens, whether they De Amerlcan or German born.
 "We speak as tax payers and law abid- ing citizens, true and loyal to American institutions. The record books of the city and the court. dockets give us high position to such distinction, and we feel assured that with fair ballot and hon. est count of the votes of the city-votes of Americans as well as Germans-we shall find after this election that the Ger man-Americans are entitled to recogni- tion and representation, and that they will receive both We are all democrats in city affairs, for here at home in our city. ir our county and in our state de- mocracy represents the virtue, culture
 
 good and honest government"
 MT Senn moved the communication be received. Carried unanimously.
 MT. Brown moved that the thanks of the committee be extended to the com mittee from the German-American union for their expression of confidence in the democratic executive committee.
 Discussion of the Thornton Plan
 MT. O'Conner moved the adoption of the plan submitted by MT. Thornton for the selection of candidates for mayor and aldermen.
 MT. Brown moved the adoption seriatim as a substitute
 The latter motion prevailed.
 MT. Richard H. Fries asked if the com mittee would allow outside suggestions on the adoption of the plan.
 MT. Thornton moved that any person be allowed to speak on the plan. MT. Senn amended same by limiting the time to five minutes. Carried.
 MT. Rickman's proxy moved a recon sideration. On a vote the motion to re- consider the vote was tie, and the chair cast the deciding vote in favor of the negative.
 committee, said he had read the plan, and that it was as fair as any thai could be adopted.
 MT. Richard H. Fries said that he pre- sumed MT. Steiner was speaking on be- half of himself. As member of the com mttee from the German American union he said the plan seemed not to be accord ing to the wishes of a majority of the candidates. The democratic party is my party, as I am for Bryan and Sewall. l want to see the party successful, and am in favor of postponing this matter until after the November election The plan referred to does not provide for registra- tion. The people will be at fever heat from now until after the national elec- ton, and it would be best to postpone ac- tion."
 MT. C. c. Johnson said: T am from the east side of town and am working man, and was asked to speak for them would suggest that the time for holding the primary be changed to read from . .. m. 10 [ p. m, thus giving the working