The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-30
AFTERMATH OF
ALUMNI MEETING
Some Believe the Sale is Null
and Void.
IMPORTANT LEGAL OPINION
Brandon and Robinson the Only Two
Members Who Do Not Condemn
the Sale, But Both Favor
an Investigation.
IMPORTANT LEGAL OPINION

Age Herald Bureau, Hotel MADISON, Mont
gomery, November 29-(Special.)-Ther
We're very few of the members of the uni
versity alumni who were here yesterday to
attend the joint meeting to Investigate the
recent land sale who remained in the city
over today.
The investigation committee has organ
lied and each member has gone industri-
ously to work to bring out further facts
connected with the sale.
While 1t is said that at yesterdays meet
ing the greatest abundance of facts were
produced to show that the university had
been done a great injury by the sale, it is
further stated that there are some very
black circumstances connected with the
deal which have not yet been brought to
light For this reason, and for the reason
that the joint committees desired to nave
the full society act on the matter, it was
deemed advisable not to express a senu-
ment in regard to the matter at this meet
ing. No one doubts what that sentiment
would have been.
Only Two Members
There were but two members of the COM
mittees who showed any disposition what
ever to do otherwise than to strongly con-
denim the sale. These were Messrs Bran
don and Robinson. Both OF them, however,
stated that they desired thorough 1nves-
tigation of the matter, but saw nothing 10
be investigated save the price received 1or
the lands, and Mr.. Robinson boldly assert
ed that he believed the price fair and full'
Mr. Brandon tried to have it appear that
politics was back of the movement, ana
probably no one present doubted that III
was political motive which prompted MN
to desire white-wash of the affair.
The tic.te,As Opin..n
IT is the general opinion mere that the
sale is invalid and that tae trustees nave
full power to annul it if they see hit to DO
so. From legal aspect the matter seems
to hinge on one point, and this was dls-
covered and brought to the attention OF
the committees by Fnares Coleman, Esq
The point which Mr.. Coleman makes
and the one on which such learned law
yers as Senator E. w. Pettus, Former
Governor Thomas G. Jones, Judge William
Richardson and every member of the joint
meeting held here yesterday, declares to
suit the case. is this:
The statute provides that special meet
ing of the board of trustees can be called
application of any four members of the
board, or or any three members with the
president pro TEN. coneurrns, and mat
notices of such meeting shall be issued by
the president pro TEN. twenty days before
such meeting. This is the only statute
that authorizes the calling or holding of a
special meeting of the board of trustees,
and no valid special meeting can be held
Otherwise than here provided.
Governor al. eu the hieetid,
The meeting of September p, when the
land was sold, was not called by ..ie presi-
dent pro tenn, but by the governor, the
call being signed by his private secretary
1t was not on the request of four men,
bers of the beard; and twenty days no.
tice of such meeting was not given. There
fore, the meeting was irregular and in
valid and all Of the acts done at such
meeting were void and without effect. Mr.
Coleman fully elucidated this point yester-
day, and all present concurred in the opin-
ION that it struck the keynote-for setting
aside the sale.