The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-27
Letter from the Senator


To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
There are two bills now in the hands of
the senate committee on municipal and
county organization in reference to the
control of the police force of the city of
birmingham. One is a house bill, introduced
by Representative Huey and which / am
informed passed that body unanimously
This bill repeats the present police COM
mission law and turns over to the mayor
and the board of aldermen the election and
control of the police force.
The other is a senate bill introduced by
myself this morning. This b II provides
that the present police commission will
continue in authority, vacancies to be filed
as provided by law until after the munici-
/ pal election in May next. At this election
the bill provides that there shall be elected
by a popular vote of the qualified voters
of the city of Birmingham five police COM
missoners. One for the city-at-large to
serve six years. two, from the North
and one from the South side of the rail-
road reservation, to serve for four years;
and one from the North and one from the
Southside to serve for two years. At each
succeeding municipal election successors to
those whose times expire shall be elected
for six years. 1t also provides that the
removal from the section of the city for
which any commissioner was elected, or in
the event of any commissioner becoming
candidate for office, shall vacate the office
he holds. and his successor is to be elected
by the remaining commissioners; and in
the event of a tie, the mayor is to cast the
deciding vote. 1t also provides that not
more than $500 per month shall be SUBJ
ject to the order of the police commission
without the consent of the mayor and board
of aldermen.
Now, let it be understood by everybody
that the delegation from Jefferson have
agreed unanimously to abolish the present
method of appointing police commissioners.
There is no use to consider that proposition
further, SO far as the Jefferson representa-
tlves are concerned.
Briefly, these are the propositions pend
ing:
1. The abolition of the police commission
and giving the entire control, election, man.
agement etc, of the police to the mayor
and board of aldermen, to take effect now
or as soon as the bill is approved.
2. The maintenance of police commits
sion, which commission shall be elected by
the people in the next municipal election
to exercise the function and powers now
given the police commission.
1t is understood of course, that this new
commission shall have the power to elect
a chief of police and patrolmen, after 1t has
qualified, regardless of any action taken
by the present police commission in fixing
the terms longer than the election and quail
ifications of their successors in office. Now,
briefly stated, this is the issue:
Shall the mayor and board of aldermen
or the people through a commission, con-
troll the police department of Birmingham?
Being primarily governed in all matters
by my principles. to-wit: Popular rule and
government, and believing that the best
policy to be followed in city government
is the control of the police department ex-
clusively in the interest of law order and
the peace and dignity of the city without
10 hadt nlac int T
have. therefore, thought best to maintain
a police commission to be elected by the
people. These are my personal views and
If left wholly to my own judgment is what
I would insist upon. But in my present
capacity as representative of the people in
the senate of Alabama, 1t is my duty to
execute their will without the bias of per-
sonal opinion or prejudice, and without
considering the personal political interest
of any man or faction of men, including
my own interests. All these should be dis
regarded. 1t is, therefore, my purpose to
execute the will of the people upon this
really great question. For the life of me
I cannot see what objection any man can
have who claims to represent the people
in any official capacity, and who speaks In
the name of and in behalf of the people,
should be unwilling to let the people settle
1t. Will any man who claims to be be-
lever in popular rule contend that there
should be appointed a chief of police whom
the people do not want, or that one should
be defeated whom they do want? Any man
who would defeat the people in their wishes
does not believe in popular government or
democratic principles. Therefore, those
who speak in the name of and in behalf of
the people should be, 1t seems to me, the
last to try to defeat a measure which gives
to the people themselves the authority to
say what they want Now. the situation is
this The mayor and board of aldermen
and one of the present police commissioners
and the six representatives from Jefferson
county in the house all favor the abolition
of the commission and the comforting upon
the mayor and board of aldermen all the
powers now given the police commission.
Having no right to. nor do l. question the
sincerity and honesty of these gentlemen,
II necessarily follows that they have
prima facie case In the contention that the
people want the Huey bill to pass. But
disagree with these gentlemen as to the
necessity for immediate and instant ac-
ton. No such demand has beer made upon
me by the people, or even by very large
portion Of the people, not In office, to hur-
nv through the senate this or any other
BILL On the contrary have been urged by
many to defeat the bill, and by great
many more to substitute for 1t the one
introduced by me this morning. I shall.
therefore, courteously ask the committee
to hold up both bills until am fully salts
fed what the people Of Birmingham want.
Now let them express themselves I'm public
meetings, by petition and letter. Respect
fully yours,
r M. CUNNINGHAM,
Senator from Jefferson County.
Senate Chamber Montgomery, November
26, 1895.
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