The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-30
EDITORS POSTPONE ROUNTREE MAT TER  Charges Will Be Settled Today
 at Bessener THE VOTE IS VERY CLOSE Motion to Table Mel Compromise Is Carried By Narrow Margin of
 s7 to 4o-sessIons Are
 Interesting.
BY E. R. NORMAN.

oays session of the Alabama Press as- sociation was characterized by parlia- mentary wrangling and marked lack of harmony. After discussing the charges | against former Secretary Rountree for over two hours the association tabled the resolution introduced by R. E. L.. Mel seeking to affect a compromise be tween the two factions. by a vote of 40 to 37
 For several hours before the convention was called to crder 1t was evident that the Rountree matter would be the pow der magazine of the session. It was the main topic of gossip among the editors The match that exploded the magazine came quickly and unexpectedly. The re- port of the special committed appointed to investigate the charges against cer- tain members of the association preferred by Mir Rountree had scarcely been adopted when the Rev. Dr. George w. Read introduced a resolution wipfng out all the charges against the former secre- tary and the officers of the association. In quick succession a counter resolution and compromise were introduced. Neither one came to vote, as the asso- citation adjourned until tomorrow at g o'clock. after tabling the compromise measure.
 Opening Is Delayed.
 The time for calling the convention to crder was delayed an hour and a half by waiting on the executive committee to prepare Its report on membership. It was 330 o'clock when President W. E. w. Yerby called the association to or der After the or enine prayer by the Rev Robert Campbell Gilmore, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Maj. William J. Parkes was introduced and delivered the address of welcome to the editors in behalf of the city of Bessemer. Major Parl1es delivered the address In his most pleasing style and his apt hits were in- terrupted with applause.
 R. H. Walker editor of the Athens Democrat responded to the address in a brief and eloquent speech. Tt is a pecu- liar pleasure to the members of the press association to have the privilege of visit ing your Marvel City and great mineral district, which is second to none in the south" he said. We editors are like backsliders who gather for revival once a year" His speech was received with much applause.
 J. Pepperman, chairman of the sub-com- mittee on arrangements for the annual OuIlnB' dnnOunceu to the dSSOClduOn lildI all who wish to go to St. Louis must furnish their full names to him and must apply in person.
 Roll Gall Begun. The roll call of the members was then begun by Acting Secretary s. P. West. He was interrupted several times by edi- tors who wished to make corrections In the roll J. D. Due of the Silent Eye rose and asked that his name be placed on the roll Mai. w. w. Screws asked MT. Due l to produce the proofs that he was a member of the association 1t was shown that MT. Due joined the association at Mobile and had paid all his dues. His name was ordered placed on the roll. 1 The following new members were ad- mitted to membership in the association: Alabama Baptist John T. Barnett; One onta Democrat, F. G. Stephens; Vernon | Courier, R. J. Young; Carbon Hill Enter | prise. J. w. Young; Coosa Valleyan B. B. l Gather; Bessemer Journal, J. H. Hard; | Roanoke Leader, l.. M. Stevenson, Jasper Mountain Eagle, J. w. Dickinson; Attalla Mirror. L. s. Gray; Brewton Pine Belt News, w D. Sowel; Prattville Progress I. w. Paul; Geneva Reaper E. M. John son. Fort Deposit Reflector, w. E. Smith; Ashland Standard, E. J. Garrison; Atmore Spectrum, D. c. Boctore Brewton Stan dard Guage c. W. Robbins; Tallassee Tri-County Weekly, A. s. Davis; Clayton Citizen-Record. J. s. Williams; Birming- ham Ledger w. P. Gum; Huntsville Democrat, Miss Virginia Clay.
 President Yerby then delivered his an- nual address, which was pronounced both eloouent and able He chose as his sub feet the public schools. and brought out weighty argument in favor of edu- cation.
 Report on Rountree Charges.
 At the conclusion of the presidents ad- dress R. L. O'Neal in behalf of the special committee appointed to investigate the charges against several officers of the association preferred by J. A. Rountree, reported that the committee had met in Birmingham yesterday to look into the charges but as MT. Rountree failed to appear and prove his charges the com nittee recommended that the officers be exonerated of the charges.
 1 Scarcely had the report been adopted | by the association before the Rev. pr. l George w. Read of Ensley arose and 1 began a discussion of the charges of all l legged misconduct against officers of the 1 association Several of the members rose | to points of order and the chairman in- formed Dr. Read that he was out of order. He then stated that he wished to intro duce a resolution, which he read as fol- lows:
 .'Whereas, 1t appears that heretofore the privileges and courtesies extended to the Alabama Press association have been abused and participated in by non-mem-
 bers of this association. and,
 "Whereas the practice has led to charges
 and counter charges,