The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-24
NEW COMMITTEE
is NOW ORGANIZED
H. B. Alternately Elected Chair
man on Second Ballot
SESSION WAS STORMY ONE
Abe Rich Chosen secretary-Judee
John II. Miller Nominated In OPP
position to Abernathy--All
Members Were Present.

The first meeting of the new city demo-
cratic executive committee was held last
night at the city hail. and H. B. Aber-
nathy was elected chairman. Abe Rich
was elected secretary.
The meeting of the committee was far
from being harmonious From the time
the chairman of the old committee, John
f. Antwlne called the meeting to order
until adjournment there were dissen-
tions.
Judge John II. Miller was nominated
for the craftsmanship in opposition to
Mr. Alternately On the first ballot Judge
Miller received seven votes and Mr.. Aber-
nathy nine. One member voted for B. B.
Martin and a blank ballot was found
among those cast. At this point heated
discussion as to whether or not Mr.. Aber-
nathy should be declared elected, &C.
CURED. Mr.. Alternately was in the chair
as temporary chairman and while things
were warming up stepped down and said,
Il don't want anything unfair. Take an
other ballot. 1 don't care" The second
ballot resulted In six votes for Judge
Miller and twelve votes for Mr.. Aber-
nathy.
The name of Abe Rich was placed In
nomination for the position of secretary.
He was elected by reclamation and with
out opposition.
Full Committee.
A full committee was present and when
the roll was called the following respond
ed:
First ward, Harry Turner, w. IL.
Pinkington. Second ward. Abe Rich,
Max Karples; Third ward, John Antwine,
w. IL. Cutliff Fourth ward, Frank
White, Jr.. ID. A. Heinrich; Fifth ward,
H. b. Abernathy, Charles j. Herbert;
Sixth ward, Ed Martin. A. G. Chambers;
Seventh ward, G. b. Burkhalter, r. b.
Smyer; Eighth ward, b. B. Martin, Wal
ten Bennett Ninth ward, James f. Haw-
kins, Walter Metcalf.
Mr. Antwine was in the chair and call
ed for nominations for the position OF
chairman. Mr.. smyer said that perma-
nent organization could not be perfected
until a temporary organization had been
: lined. Mr. Alternately said he wanted
to make the point of order that 1t had
been formed and Mr. Antwine was in the
chair that this had been the precedent
and he saw no use of having temporary
officers The chair said the point of order
was Well taken, whereupon Mr. Smyer
said he would respectfully appeal from
MS decision. A NUMBER Juluptu " thNiA
feet to discuss the matter, when Mr..
Alternately withdrew his point of order.
The chair then declared for the election
Nof a temporary chairman. H b. Aber-
nathy and B. b. Martin were nominated.
Mr. Alternately received ten votes and
Mr.. Martin seven. Mr. Alternately took
the chair and called for nominations for
temporary secretary James f. Hawkins,
Abe Rich, Max Earples and Walter Met
salt were nominated The result of the
vote was Rich 70, Karples 2, Metcalf l,
Hawkins p Mr.. Rich was declared
elected
The Real Fight.
At this point the real fight of the meet
ing began. When nominations were
called for the permanent Craftsmanship,
Mr. Antwine said he wanted to place in
nomination II. b. Alternately, and sug-
gested that he be chosen by reclamation.
Mr. White arose and said: Il think 1t Is
to the best interest of this committee
to go outside of the ranks to select
chairman. This is a precedent estab-
lished by the state and county commit
tees. | want to place In nomination the
name of a man who by his sterling, up
right and moral qualities has endeared
himself to the heart of the people of this
community, one who will not digress from
the paths of duty and will act fairly and
without fear in the performance of his
duty. l refer to Judge John II. Miller"
The nominations were then closed.
Mr.. Smyer wanted an open ballot. Mr..
Antwine offered as a substitute to his
motion for an open ballot that 1t be Sc
cret. Here some discussion arose, and to
simplify matters it was decided to take
a secret ballot on the question, of a secret
or an open vote. The result was secret
ballot 70, open ballot 6.
The vote was taken and resulted as
follows: Alternately Q, Miller 7, b. b.
Martin l. blank vote l.
Several jumped to their feet at once.