The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-02
On Inspection Tour.

General Manager or the Frisco system, with several other high officials of that system, are in Birmingham, being on an inspection tour. They have been over the greater part of the system and are now looking over terminals here. The Frisco has some valuable franchises in this city and 1t is understood that in the next year or two will make some big improvements including the erection of a freight depot. When the Seaboard Air Line reaches Eir- mingham these proposed improvements will probably take shape.
 Suit Against Mrs. Cor nwell.
 In the City Court today G. H. Steven son. receiver of the bessemer Savings dent, T. J. Cornweli, who absconded last April, filed a suit addressed to Judge Senn and Judge Fergusoif, against Mrs. Sudie C. Cornwell. wife of the former President of the bank, seeking to secure the possession of certain property which Is now said to be in the possession of the respondent. The bill alleges that T. J.. Cornwell took funds from the bank and purchased certain real estate In Besse- mer. conveying it to his wife.
 Committeeman Terms.
 The length of term of a member of the  and of the various county Democratic executive committees is a question that has for some time excited more or less interest, and now that the campaign of next year draws nearer this interest grows considerably. 1t is question up- on which opinions differ and even Chair man Robert J. Lowe of the State Com mittee, hesitates to express an opinion. No doubt the State Committee at its next meeting will consider the question and in the meantime speculation will con tinue. T. Y. Prude, a member of the County Democratic Executive Committee of Jeff ferson County. recently presented the matter to Chairman Lowe, and the cor respondence upon the subject. which will be read with interest over the State, ia as follows:
 East Lake, Sept. 21, 1903. Hon. Robert J. Lowe, State Chairman
 Birmingham, Ala:
 Esteemed Sir-Formerly member of the State Democratic Executive Committed held his office two years; now he holds during four years What authority of the party in the State has heightened, dou- bled, his term of office? No State Con- vention of the party has been held since the adoption of the present State Con- stitution. What other party agency IS
  State committeeman's term?
 Similarly, no convention having been held in (this) county. why is not the term of a county committeeman now for four years? Does he, too, hold with the Gov ernor for four years?
 About a year ago, a few weeks after the election of the present committee in this county, The Birmingham News was asked for an opinion on the subject, and the following answer. printed in that cap- itaI journal, was given after investiga- ton:
 "A member of the County Democratic Executive Committee holds office for four years. with the Governor
 You. worthily honored sir. the supreme head of the Democratic and conservative party in the State of Alabama, are here- by respectfully asked for an official opin- ion on the subject, the germinal point herein being, what is now the length of a county committeemans term?
 Very truly.
 T. Y. Prude.
 Member County Committee.
 Birmingham, Sept. 26, 1903. Hon. T. Y. Prude, East Lake, Ala:
 Dear Sir-I found your letter in my of- fee upon my return yesterday. In re- sponse to your first question 1t is my re- collection that the State Executive Com mittee which retired last year ordered an election of their successors for a term of four years. In the absence of con- vention it is hard to see how the action of the committee could be revised. This is one of the objections which has been strongly urged to the State primary plan. The Executive Committee. which made this order, did not undertake to extend their own term. but prescribed the term for which their successors were to be elected.
 As to the term of office of the counts committeeman, I should not like to ex- press an opinion. The matter may come before the State Committee. in which event l will wish to be at liberty to hear and decide without previous committal, and furthermore, the term of office of the County Committeeman might depend on varying local conditions.
 For your kind personal allusions I am