The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-31
Brooke Denies the Right.

H. Y. Brooke of Luverne said he did not believe the Executive Committee had the right to remove Rountree. The repu- tation of a man and the reputation of the Association were at stake. He argued that the Association should take up the matter and not act. as it had already done. in a disgraceful maner. It was no Justification of Rountree's course, he said, to say that others had been guilty of misconduct. The'Association must purify itself by going to the head of the stream. The Executive Committee had mades.a mistake according to the Constitution. Surprised by Rountree. He was surprised that Rountree had not seen that the Executive Committee was charitable in removing him behind closed doors. and not have dragged it on the floor of the Association and pulled members about begging them to vote one way or the other. He closed by asking the Asso- ciation to purify itself of the stigma rest ing on it.
 MT. Reid of Ensley said he was sure the Executive Committee had nothing to do with removing Rountree. He did not propose. he said, to declare himself now as to Rountrees conduct, but would con fine himself to argument to show that the Executive Committee had acted in a tyrannical and unwarranted manner.
 MT. Beale of Northport said he had voted purely on the question of author ity of the Executive Committee. He wanted 1t understood that the. question of the guilt or innocence of Rountree had not entered into his vote.
 Rhodes Against Resolution.
 Rufus N. Rhodes of Birmingham spoke against the Benners resolution. He said the resolution was undignihed and un- parliamentary. Besides, 1t criticised the highest committee of the Association. Its very name, Executive Committee, describ- ed it's power and authority. He illustrated wherein an official could rob the Asso- citation If the committee had no such authority. The proposition o. the resolution, he declared was insisted that the Executive Committee had the right to act His entire sympathy goes out to Rountree. he said. He would vote against expeling him, not because he was not guilty. but because he was guilty with the connivance of other members. He thought expulsion was too severe. He believed the Association should condemn his conduct. but removal from office would be sufficient Also. the Association should condemn all persons who had traf- feed in railroad transportation
 Rountree and Decency. F. F. Conway of Huntsville, opened his remarks by saying that common decency should have told Rountree to hand his resignation to the President of the Asso- citation. He condemned the action of the Executive Committee, but declared that unless Rountree made satisfactory ex-
 planation, he should be expelled before this Association adjourned He thought
 Rountree ought to be suspended until the annual meeting. when final action could be taken The word "repudiate" was a harsh word and he disliked to vote for
 the resolution on that account. He closed
 by offering a substitute denying the right | of the Executive Committee to act, and declaring the office of secretary vacant Graves Wanted Fairness. MT. Graves of Brundidge, opposed the
 substitute. He wanted fairness. He de- nied the right of Executive Committee
 but was willing to expel Rountree if he was guilty He said he had only read ex- parte statements.
 F. P. Glass of Montgomery, argued that | the Executive Committee had power to | remove Rountree. The Committee, he 1 said, had. under the Constitution, dele | gated to Rountree power to arrange for | the Canadian trip. Rountree had positive ly refused to give the Executive Commit tee a statement of the trip, and the Exec. | utive Committee had certainly power to remove him for this defiance and to so re. | port to the Association.
 Continuing his argument, Mir. Glass de- | clared the executive committee was cloth ed with the logical constitutional power ! to remove the secretary.
 Cut Out the "Repudiate." MT Benners said he did not care for the word ''repudiate." and all he wanted to do was to disavow the authority of the executive committee to remove of- fcials. The committee had usurped the authority of the association while the au- thoritative body was waiting to act in the matter he said. He supported his origi- nal resolution, but said he would strike out the word 'repudiate." and insert the
 words "disowns the right"
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