The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
To Retire from Politics and De-
vote His Time Eoe|y
10 Business
MAKES CONDITIONS AS
TO FILLING THE VACANCY
Wishes Board to Agree to Elect as His
Successor Candidate Coming Out
Second In the Second
Ward run Off,"

George b. Ward, candidate for mayor
against Mayor Drennen. subject to the
democratic primary held last Monday and
member of the board of Aldermen from
the second ward, has sent letter to
, John Antwine, chairman of the city ex-
ecutive committee. offering to resign as
alderman. A condition of the resigna-
ton is that the mayor and board OF
aldermen shall obllgate itself to accept
as his successor the man receiving the
second highest number of votes in the
run Off, for alderman from the Sec
ond ward.
The matter was discussed yesterday by
Mr. Ward with several of his friends,
and as a result of the discussion, the
following letter was addressed to Chair
man Antwine, to be submitted to the
executive committee at its meeting to-
night:
March 8, 1908.
John f. Antwine, Esq.,, Chairman city
Executive Committee, City
Dear Sir-If 1t can be arranged to have
two vacancies voted on at the approach
ing primary run off, for alderman in
the Second ward and If the board OF
aldermen will obigate itself to elect as
my successor the man who receives the
next highest number of votes therein,
| hereby agree to hand In my resigna-
ton at next meeting.
| do this In order to give the people
In the Second ward a chance to say who
shall represent them in the city council.
w. 1t.Att ,atlx
this action is not caused by any feeling
of pique or dissatisfaction at the re-
suit of the mayoralty contest, but is
due solely to desire to devote my time
exclusively to business and retire from
politics. l am, yours respectfully,
(Signed) GEORGE b. WARD,
Mr.. Ward said last night that he had
no statement to make as MS letter spoke
for itself.
Mr. Wards offer to resign created quite
stir in political circles, as 1t was gem
orally known yesterday by noon that he
would take this action. 1t Is the general
opinion that it will greatly simplify the
race for alderman from the Second ward.
1t is believed that the board will accept
the resignation when it is rendered, and
that either Chris RAINBOW or John W.
O'Neil the two candidates. will be ac-
ceptable for the unexpired term.
RAINBOW Pleased With Conditions.
Mr. Rainbow when shown copy of the
letter yesterday stated that he ltnew of
the intended action of Mr.. Ward carly in
the day and that he thought the condition
he proposed was an excellent idea. He
said that he and Mr.. O'Neill were running
a friendly race and that he would be per-
fectly willing to serve for the unexprod
term if he received fewer votes than
ONein
Mr.. o'Nen said last night that he was
not prepared to make a statement.
Mayor Bremen said that he did not
care to discuss Mr.. Wards letter
Alderman Henry B. Gray of the Sew
enth ward, stated that he was perfectly
wiling for the Second ward contest to be
settled in the way suggested by Mr..
Ward. He thought it was a good So
luton.
Several other aldermen were seen by a
reporter, but they said they preferred
to wait until Mr.. Wards proposition
came before the board before expressing
an opinion.
Tho City Committee.
Chairman John Antwine and Secretary
Harry White of the executive committee
were seen soon after they received a copy
of the letter, and both stated that the
offer of Mr.. Ward simplified matters in
the Second, and that they thought the
city executive committee would agree to
this arrangement Mr.. Antwine stated
that In case Mr. O'Neill received the larg-
est vote he would be alderman for the
full term of four years, and Mr.. RAINBOW
would hold office for the two years re-
naming of Mr.. Wards term, and vice
versa.
In the primary Monday Mr. RAINBOW
led Mr. O'Neill by only two votes, and the
eleven votes received by Mr.. Epstein pre-
vented either of the men from receiving
a majority of all the votes cost. This ne
cessitated running the primary Off"
and this will be done on day set by the
citv executive committee at the meeting