The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
JIM MASON RODE
 WITH WHITE FOLKS
HE SEEKS TO RECOVER DAMAGES IN CIRCUIT COURT BECAUSE A STREET CAR CONDUCTOR TREATED HIM ROUGHLY.

IhEA ED HIM HOO1fLrs
 The case of James Mason against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company in the circuit court went to the jury late last night.
 Mason is a negro who Is seeking to re- cover damages because a street car con- ductor is said to have used force in trying to keep the negro from the back platform of an Ensley street car which is reserved for white passengers.
 According to the testimony Mason boarded an Ensley car In April of last year near East Highlands and instead of getting on the front end of the car as is customary for colored people he stepped on the rear platform.
 He claims that when the conductor came back he seized him by the neck and choked him and furthermore stopped the car and made him get off and go to the front end instead of allowing him to pass forward through the car. For this treatment he thinks he is entitled to damages, hence the suit Hc Cdbt was tiicu OllCC bClOIC anu the negro was given verdict for $500. It was appealed to the supreme court. however, and the decision was reversed.
 Bowman, Harsh & Beddow are the att torneys for the plaintiff and they took the very unusual step yesterday of requiring the court to give a written charge to the jury. On this account the case was late l in getting to the jurors.
 i there was objection to Adam Stewart up- on the grounds that he was a justice of the peace and not an employe of a coal company. President Flynn defended MT. Stewart, saying that he was one of the most influential members of the organiza- ton, and that it would be a sad day for the miners when they turned him down. Delegate Prunell voiced the sentiment ex- pressed by the president.
 Executive Board.
 The election for six white members of the executive board then commenced, the following nominations being made:
 Adams Stewart, Cardiff; George Bar bour, Pratt City; J. R. Kennamer, Piper; R. L. Golston Searles; Joseph Walwork Blocton; J. H. Orange. Sayreton; Thomas H. Finney, Pratt City; R. H. Vinson, Kimberly; R. A. stratham, Lehigh. white J. H. Chambers, West Pratt; R. R. Mur- ray, Stouts Mountain; J. M. Withers, Graves; B. w. Robinson. Kimberly; s. E. Banks, Blocton; J. H. Davis, Belle Ellen; N. S. Pringle. Johns.
 Stewart Declines to Serve.
 MT. Stewart was declared elected but he declined to serve, saying that he would not have the time to give to the work. He was thanked for his faithful service to the organization.
 After this the convention adjourned for dinner. The body reconvened at 1:35 o'clock in the afternoon. and Captain Frank S. White. the attorney for the miners, made a twenty minute talk to the convention, upon invitation. He was introduced by President Flynn as "a man who has always been a friend to the or ganization when 1t was in need of assist ance."
 Capt. F. s. White.
  MT President and Gentlemen of the Conventional believe this is the first op- portunity in my life that have had to address a convention of miners and I can assure you the privilege affords me great pleasure. I felt highly honored at having received an invitation to address you.
 "The understanding was, I believe, that was not to speak very long. The miner works long enough and hard enough in the mines. and should not be bored by long addresses. Let the boring be done under ground. But want to offer you some suggestions. Your organization is being felt in Alabama. I read with pride the progress you are making. This prog ress, too, has just begun, and in the future you will progress as our great state does.
 Moral Standard.
 Your organization should reach a great moral and religious plane in Alabama. Your influence in society depends upon your moral status. And the moral status of an organization depends upon the in- dividual members who compose it. What ever discredit you do, you must remem- Der 1t reflects on your organization. The influence of your organization depends upon the way you conduct yourselves
 Be careful, miners, how you live that you might produce on the outside world your influence. Remember that you are a part and parcel of the greatest govern ment that exists. No trade' business or profession. can prosper unless it is shield- ed by a government. If you have an in terest in your government then your infiu- ence should be felt. You should have say as to how that government should be administered and by whom. Remember you are part of the government, If you do your duty; and If you do not oo this, vou are not a part of it. am not here to tell you which political party you are to affiliate with. That Is left in your own discretion as free born American citi- zens
 Political Suffrage.
 "Oualify yourselves in order that you might 20 to the polis and exercise your