The age-herald., 1899-05-27
OPPOSITION
 TO DTSPENSARY One Of the Declared Purposes of German
 American Union. NEW PLATFORM ADOPTED At Enthusiastic Reorganization Meeting
 Held Last Night. BARS TO MEMBERSHIP TORN DOWN All Reputable White Voters Invited to Affiliate Must Sign Written
 Pledge-A Full Corps of
 Officers Elected
NEW PLATFORM ADOPTED
BARS TO MEMBERSHIP TORN DOWN

The annual meeting of tho German American Union was held last night in the rooms of the Birmingham German Turn Verein in Third avenue and instead of dis ruption as had been predicted, a reorgani- zation of the union was effected and officers elected for the ensuing term.
 The purposes of the organization were clearly defined on the "platform and con- stitution adopted at last nights meeting, and it's doors were thrown open to every liberal thinking white man who will pledge himself to vote and work for such candi- dates as are endorsed by the union in any campaign.
 The kneeting was largely attended and was called to order at S:3O o'clock with President Lesser in the chair.
 The welfare of the organization was taken up and several enthusiastic speeches were made.
 The Committee on Resolutions
 A committee on resolutions, composed of Henry Behrens, Lee J. Marks and A. Spaker was appointed and after retiring reported the following resolution which was unanimously adopted: '
 Whereas, We recognize that the work or the German-American Union during the last few years has had the greatest possi- ble beneficial results for us, and whereas, we declare ourselves fully satisfied with the policy heretofore pursued by the union.
 Be it resolved, That we will, with all our might and means continue to uphold the union and still closer affiliate with it's principles and platform and that we will with all moral and legal means try to ob- tain the membership of every libertI citi- m most especially such of the German-Ameri- can elemtn who have not as yet been mem bers of this union.
 The committee on revision of platform and constitution appointed at the last meeting of the union made its report, which was adopted.
 This report declares that the union is pledged to advance and agitate liberal ideas, to participate in all public questions and political issues in the state, and to op- pose the passage of any law looking to- wards prohibition or the establishment of the dispensary system in this county. The following are the first four sections of the constitution as adopted:
 T Ne On It ton
 This association l., d political one and shall be called the 'German-American union.
 ''The object of the association shall be the union of all liberal thinking white men, but especially of all German Americans, in Jefferson county, for the purpose of: (a) advancing and agitating liberal ideas and principles; (b) participating as a body in all public questions and political issues as Tar as city, county and state are concerned; Co opposing with all moral and lawful means the introduction by law of prohibi- tion or dispensary in Jefferson county.
 '"The union expects to succeed with its platform by pledglng It's members to sol idly support in all city, county or state elections the measures at issue or the can- dldates indorsed by this union."
 Membership in this union can be ob- talned by any reputable white citizen of the United States and of the state of Ala bama, residing in Jefferson county who will pledge in. writing his word of honor that he will support the platform and vote for the candidates or questions endorsed by the union and use all his influence for their success. In case a member finds him. self in a position that he cannot consist ently vote for such a ticket or for any per- son on that ticket endorsed by the union, then he agrees by becoming a member to immediately resign from the union. All ap- plica tions for membership must be made to the executive board, and the latter shall act upon them at the next regular meeting following the making of the application. A simple majority of the members of the board present will or reject"
 Old Officers Reelected
 The election of officers was next taken up and resulted as follows, after which the meeting adjourned:
 Presdent-E. Lesser.
 Vice Presldents-E. Peterman, Fl. Hents- chel, H. School.
 Treasurer-A. Stockmar.
 Recording Secretary-Lee J. Marx.
 Financial Secretary-M. Korples.
 Executive Broad-J. ". Schaeffer, A. Speaker, F. Schwend, l.. Braun, r. Rathen- hoer, H. Behrens, H. Schroder, Henry Uhl, D. c. Bloomberg, F. Mocke, Wm. Recklng, Louis Schillinger, George Gorff of Pratt City, J. H. Houppert of Bessemer, Chris. Beck of Warrior.