The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-10
WEGEL|N OUSTED
 FROM THE COUNCIL
Ferguson Renders Decision Ad- verse to BeSsemer Alderman
NO NEW RUPTURE FEARED
1t Is Not Believed That Action of Bir- mingham Court Will Disturb Har- nony Now Prevailing In
 Municipal Circles.

Bessemer, December 9.-(Special. )-News reached Bessemer this afternoon that Judge c. W. Ferguson of the Birmingham city court had rendered a decision oust- ing Rudolph Wegelin from the city coun- cil The petition was filed by Alderman Hurd and others who constitute the ma jority faction of the council, some time ago requesting Wegelin to appear and give reason why he was untitled to sit in the city council. It will be recalled that when Richard Myles was busted by Judge Jones on grounds that he had failed to pay his poll tax at the prescribed time, Rudolph Weglin, whom MT. Myles suc- ceeded, was declared by Mayor Huey to be entitled to sit on the board until his successor was elected and qualified the mayor assuming that Mir Myles had never qualified. The ruling of the mayor caused the majority faction to walk out of the council chamber, forcing the coun- cil to adjourn without a quorum. At the next regular meeting only two of the all dermen put in their appearance, but at the last meeting the olive branch was held aloof and the board had the most harmonious meeting since its installation.
 It is not thought that the ruling of Judge Ferguson will break the harmony that is now existing between the members of the board. As MT Wegelin could not be reached tonight it is not known wheth- CT the case will be carried to the su- preme court or not.
 Prospects Bright for Agreement.
 Prospects are bright for the readjust- ment of the differences that have been existing between the merchants and the clerks in reference to signing the new contract. The clerks held a meeting last night and put the matter of having the contract renewed in the hands of a com mittee. This afternoon Rosebaum Broth CTS, one of the oldest and most prominent firms in the city signed the contract
 It is understood that several of the largest firms in the city have also ex- pressed willingness to sign the contract, which places the opening hour at a. m the year around, the closing hour at 6 D. m. during the winter months and ' D. m. during the summer months. It also asks for holidays oh the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
 There are some little changes in the new contract and it looked for a while as if the merchants and clerks were not going to reach an agreement before the 18th of this month, at which time the old contract expires. It appears now that there is no doubt about all the differ- ences being harmoniously settled
 RouIhac lnspects Site.
 Thomas R. Roulhac, United States at- torney for the North Alabama district. was in the city today for the purpose of inspecting the site for the new postoffice building. The site is at the corner of Fourth avenue and Nineteenth street and was purchased by the government some time ago. but according to law, it could not be paid for until the site had been inspected by government official
 Congressman Underwood has already in- troduced in congress bill providing for an appropriation of sl00OOO to erect the building.