The age-herald., 1901-01-16
Elected at the Special Meeting
 Held Last Night FRED WILLIAMS SECRETARY Short But Spicy Session, Which Ad- burned as Last Means to Eradi- cate Itself from Mudde =
 The Proceedings

There was lots of fun at the meeting of the City Democratic Executive Committee last night, and before it was all over the members got so badly mixed up that 1t became necessary to adjourn until some fu- ture date in order to give time to think over the problems presented during the three-quarters of an hour that the commit tee was in session.
 The first instanment of fun resulted from the introduction by G. S. Burkhalter of motion to increase the committee from eighteen to twenty-one members, three to be elected from the city -at-large. This mo- ton was voted down. The next and most interesting act grew out of a motion to de- clare vacancy in the Third ward on ac- count of the election of John Antwine to the chairmanship of the committee. There were a number of motions and amendments and substitutes offered, and finally the situ- ation became so complex that MT. Burk- halter moved to adjourn and the motion prevailed with but two or three dissenting votes.
 John r. Antwine of the Third ward was elected chairman of the committee on the first ballot, and Fred J. Williams of the First ward, secretary, without opposition.
 The Meeting.
 When Chairman John J. Moore of the old committee called the meeting to order at o'clock there were present the following members: First ward, Fred J. Williams and John Horan; Second ward, John w. O'Neill and z. T, Rudulph, proxy for J. B. Dryer; Third ward, Dick Kearney and John F. tVVinas A UhnmnSOn and w. M. Newton; Fifth ward, H. B. Ab- ernathy and pr. Charles Whelan; Sixth ward M. J. Gregg and T. c. Mcdonald, proxy for John c. Forney; Seventh ward, G. S. Burkha.lter and Tom Baine; Eighth ward, Harry White; Ninth ward, Pat O'Hare and Eli Powell, proxy for w. H. Shropshire.
 In calling the committee to order Chair man Moore stated that he had called the meeting at the request of five members for the purpose of electing officers. He took occasion to congratulate the Democracy of the city of Birmingham on the fact that the party was united and without opposition.
 Tom Baine read the names of the new committeeman, which he stated Ae had been directed by the old committee to cer- tify as the new committee.
 G. B. Burkhalter, B. A. Thompson and Dr.. Whelan were appointed committee on proxies, and they reported the follow ing entitled to seats in the meeting: I T. RuduIph proxy for J. B. Dryer of the Second ward; T. c. Mcdonald, proxy for J. c. Forney of the Sixth ward, and Eli Rowell, proxy for w. H. Shropshire of the Ninth ward The report was adopted.
 MT. Burkhalter's Motion
 G. B. Burkhalter offered motion to the effect that the committee be increased from eighteen to twenty-one and that the additional members be elected from the city at large. He changed this to mo- tion that committee of five be appointed to investigate and report on the advisa- bility of adding three members from the city at large to the committee.
 Opposition to the motion developed ard Fred Williams moved that the Burkhalter motion be tabled. At the request of some of the members who desired to discuss the question he withdrew his motion to table with the understanding that it would be renewed as soon the discussion ended. The point was raised that a chairman had not been elected, and until that was done any business that the committee might transact would be irregular.
 M. J. Gregg of the Sixth ward suggested that the matter be passed until a further meeting in order to give the people of the city chance to express themselves on the question. He said 1t looked too much like usurpation of power by the committee.
 MT Burkhalter replied that if he had proposed to take representation from the people MT. Gregg's remarks might De timely.
 To this MT. Gregg stated that it was not a question of taking representation from the people. but that the people would have no say in the selection of the three addi- tional members.
 B. A. Thompson stated that he was not quite sure that he would support the reso- lution if put to a vote at that time, and urged that it go over until future date.
 Mr. Williams renewed his motion to ta- ble the Burkhalter motion to increase the committee to twentyone members, and his motion prevailed by a vote of 10 to T.
 Election of Officers.
 John w. ONeill of the Second ward moved that the committee go into the election of chairman and secretary.
 B. A. Thompson of the Fourth ward sug- gested as an amendment that the vote be by ballot and that majority of the whole committee be necessary to a choice. MT. O'Neill accepted all but the provision for secret ballot. He said he believed the vote should be open, so that the people would know how the members of the committee voted MT. Thompson insisted on the se- cret ballot, and offered a substitute to the O'Neill motion that the committee go into the election of officers, that the vote be by ballot, and that majority of the votes cast be necessary to elect
 Fred Williams moved to table the substt- tute, but by request withdrew his motion to permit discussion.
 Z T. Rudulph of the Second ward stated that 1t had always been the custom for the committee to vote by ballot where there was more than one candidate for office. He said 1t appeared to him to be proper and