The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-31

< Be 1t Resolved, That this aSsocia- ' ton deny the right of the executive ' ~ committee to declare the office or . ~ secretary or any office vacant ~ Be it further resolved, that this . association declare Secretary Roun- . o tree suspended from office pending : -~ action on the charges filed against ' : him.
 ~+~<&%<%<+<<<-<s t-<<S The meeting of the Alabama Press as- sociatior, which took place in this city yesterday was probably the most up- roarious similar gathering ever held in Alabama.
 From the beginning it was evident that every member of the association had made up his mind to take an active part In the proceedings and the gathering had not been in session five minutes before it was further evident that everybody was going to try to speak at once
 Men who are known throughout the state for their conservatism in all mat ters vied with each other in adding to the general confusion that characterized the afternoons proceedings. Everybody got excited. At times there were as many as twenty members on their feet at the same time and cries of MT. President, were blended with shouts of Down in front"
 Much Confusion.
 Motions and counter motions and sub stltutes and previous questions were all 9umbled together into one conglomerate mass Near the close of tie meeting after
 T viva voce seven separate speeches wers made, all of which were made in de- lance of the chair and in spite of the tact that a roll call vote was being call ed for on the question to adjourn.
 One of these speeches was in the form of a motion to censure Secretary Roun- tree and to demand the payment by him of all money wrongfully collected from the members of the association during the past eleven years.
 Men voted at the meeting and took part in the proceedings as the representatives of papers which it was admitted had not been in existence for many month A member secured the floor and amid the confusion declared that they could not do anything else until he got through talking. Another who had the floor said that they could not stop him unless they carried him out and added that he would like to see some one come up and try It.
 Secretary Rountree Suspended.
 When a summary had been made at the close of the session as to what the as- sociation had accomplished it was found
  pended until the meeting of the associa- ton next June, and a resolution had been adopted condemning the sale or exchange of railroad transportation. About half of those present seemed to be satisfied with these accomplishments and the other half thought the association would be the laughing stock of the state this morn ing
 The object of the special meeting of the press association yesterday. which was held in the Commercial club rooms is pretty generally known throughout the state. Secretary J. A. Rountree had been charged with using his position as an officer of the association for his private gain. A special committee was appoint ed some time ago by the president of the association to investigate the charges and this committee presented its report to special meeting of the executive commit tee held yesterday morning
 The executive committee, after investi- gating the matter further and acting upon the report of the special committee declared the office of secretary temporar- fly vacant.
 bo D1rf1itf faa he fore the association and reported what it had done the excitement began, and the time of the meeting was largely consum- ed by the discussion of this report in various phases.
 The Proceedings.
 The association was called to order at o'clock by President Yerby and opened by prayer by the Rev G. w. Reed.
 President Yerby said: 'I have called this meeting to consider matters of very grave importance to this association. We are here for business AS l understand 1t the chief matter to. come before us is the conduct of our sec{etary in handling the recent press trip to Canada. As chairman of the executive committee I wish to state that the committee has suspended MT. Rountree from membership in the associa- ton and I am authorized as chairman of the committee to make that report. appoint S. F. West as secretary pro tenn. Three or four members sprang to their feet but H. G .Benners was given the floor. He said:
 T rise to protest against this unwar- ranted removal of MT. Rountree and 1 offer resolution to the effect that this association absolutely repudiate this dic- tatorial action of the executive commit tee"
 The motion was greeted with cheers and was seconded by several Objection was made at this point by Editor Judson that the roll had not been called and no one knew who was eligible to vote. A. J. OKeefe was vigorously cheered when he secured the floor and said:
 MT. Rountree is secretary sf this asso-