The age-herald., 1902-04-04
.FAVORS PLAN ID
 DIVIDE COUNCIL Aldermen Express Themselves on Jones' Resolution VETO POWER FOR MAYOR Mr. Drennen Argues That Change Is Essential If Birmingham ln-
 creases Her Corporate
 Limits.
VETO POWER FOR MAYOR

majority of Birminghams Aldermen favor the proposition to have two branches of the City Council, with the veto power vested in the Mayor. A reso- lution to have a bill prepared to this ef- feet which is to be introduced in the next Legislature was submitted by Alderman Jones at the meeting of the council Wed nesday night. Efforts were made yester- day to obtain expressions from all of the Aldermen on this subject but several could not be seen, including Alderman Jones, who was out of the city. Mayor W. M. Drennen favors the proposition.
 If Birmingham expects to enlarge its corporate limits during the next four years.' he said. 'it would be well for the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to con- sider this resolution carefully, for in case our corporate limits are extended we will then have a population which would compare favorably with Nashville, Mem phis and Atlanta. Those cities have found 1t necessary to have two branches of the City Council. Ths usual way Of electing the councilmen Is to have two Aldermen from each ward elected by the voters in such ward and one member from each ward In the upper branch, who is with all such members from each ward elected by the voters of the whole city, and not by those in each ward only.
 Tn all cases where there are two branches to the council the Mayor has the veto power. The method of legisiating Is just the same as with the two houses of Congress or the two houses of the Legis- lature. A measure Is passed in one branch and has to be sent to the other for It's ap- proval. If it is amended at all here 1t has to be returned to the branch in which 1t originated and again considered. Usu- ally the law provides for the elapse of a certain time between the passage of a measure in one branch before it can be taken up in another.
 Following are the opinions of various Aldermen:
 c. B. Ward: I favor the Idea because 1t is great safeguard against nasty legis- lation. It usually requires a delay of
 
 tion of the two bodies. Jt Is possible for them both to meet at the same time. and they usually do, as there are joint com mittees which have charge of different matters Unimportant matters may be passed at one meeting. but the law usual ly requires that certain time shall elapse between the action of the two houses This prevents nasty legislation and is a great safeguard.
 R. H. Kerr: I haven't really considered the matter in the light of present condi- tions. About two years ago this propo- sition was made, and at that time my opinion was that it was not advisable under conditions as they then existed. I don't know what conclusions I would reach at the present time. As I said. l have not considered the matter and did not know it was to be introduced until MT. Jones offered his resolution.
 J. F. Graham: I favor the idea. We are growing as a city and progressing. and we ought to keep up with every move ment along that line. The city is getting large enough now for this change, and 1t needs more legislative machinery. Some cities not as large as Birmingham have two branches to their city councils, and they seem to work satisfactorily and suc- cessfully.
 D. R. Copeland: have not studied the question, but 1t seems to be a good plan in large cities; but whether Birmingham Is large enough to handle two bodies suc- cessfully hardly know, rot having in- vestigated the matter sufficiently.
 H. B. Gray: I think the Mayor ought to have the veto power, but think one body is sufficient. The other plan Is too complicated. Our eighteen members of council should, I think, be able to trans act all of the city's business. Some of the large cities which had two branches of the city council have abolished one. New York now has but one board. This matter was talked about during the last session of the legislature, but was not favored at that time. I think giving the Mayor the veto power would accomplish everything which could be accomplished by double- barreled board.
 J. J. Altman: I do not favor the propo- sition to have two branches of the city council. I do not think the city Is large enough, and 1t seems to me that the present Board of Aldermen is sufficient for all purposes. I am opposed to the Mayor having the veto power.
 J. c. Greener: I have not thought over the matter sufficiently to form an opinion.