The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-02
CITY POLITICS ID
 BEGIN IN EARNEST Committees Plan May Not
 Meet With Favor EARLY PRIMARY PROBABLE Board of Aldermen May Not Approve
 of Plan to Have All candidates' Names Placed on the Ballot.
EARLY PRIMARY PROBABLE

The announcement that the city demo- cratic executive committee will probably order the names of all applicants for municipal offices to be placed on the off, cial ballot at the next primary has caused a stir in political circles.
 It is said that a majority of the mem hers of the committee are in favor of the plan and will so cast their votes, when the committee meets to consider the time for holding the primary. A majori- ty too, are said to be in favor of holding an early primary.
 Up to about four years ago 1t was eus- tomary to have only the names of the candidates for mayor and aldermen placed on the official primary ballot The unwritten rule of the conn mlttee was changed however and the names of candidates for the office of chief of police were ordered placed on l the ticket. The candidate for the position receiving the highest number of votes at the primary was declared by the com mittee to be the party nominee and he was in turn elected to the office by tho police commission. Several years ago the laws of the city were changed mak- l the people Prior to that time the com missloners were appointed by the gov ernor
 The Proposed Plan.
 The proposed plan now Is to have the names of the candidates for mayor, for aldermen-nine to be elected-for judge of the police court. for chief of police for members of the police commission three to be elected-for city clerk, treas 1 urer, engineer, auditor, tax collector, chief of the fire department. and in fact all other municipal officers on the ticket to go before the people.
 Many democrats declare that such plan is not a wise one, and a contest Is promised although as stated above, majority of the committee are said to be | in favor of the new pan. Mayor Dren- nen has declared that in his opinion, the plan is not a good one. He thinks that the old custom of electing city officials 1 by the city council should remain in vogue. Another city official declared yesterday:
 T am heartily against having the names of the candidates for city offices placed on the official ballot It will simply mean that our fire department, and other departments will be thrown into city politics. It will mean further that a number of the present city of flcials, who are competent men will be turned out of office for the reason that they would not feel disposed to go out and solicit votes.'
 Council May Refuse.
 It Is also whispered around that the city council may refuse to abide by the decision of the city democratic executive committee, should it decide to place all of the names on the ticket. This ques- l tion will as a matter of course be left entirely with the city council. The city charter is emphatic in declaring that tho voters shall elect mayor and nine mem bers of the city council, one alderman from each ward, every two years. The aldermen serve four years each. The law further provides that the city coun- ell shall on the first Wednesday night in December of every year elect all of the city officials with the exception of the members of the police department. These city officers are elected for a term of one year, and they qualify for office on January 1. Under the new plan 1t is supposed that the city officials are to be nominated for a term of two years. | As the general election does not occur until May, and the city council elects officers for next year in December. 1t is not known just what will be done under the new plan.
 Talk of Another Caucus.
 The city committee will probably be called by Chairman Abernathy to meet some time this month. It Is understood that another caucus is to be held within the next few days.
 The following is the personnel of the city committee as 1t was elected last year:
 Chairman-Judge H B. Abernathy.
 First ward-H. A. Turner and John Horan.
 Second ward-Max Rarpies and A P. Rich
 Third ward-w. IT. cutciIn and John Antwine.
 Fourth ward-Trank S. White and D. A, Helmich
 Fifth ward-Charles J. Herbert and H. B. Abernathy.
 Sixth ward-A. O. Chambers and E. l.. | Martin.
 Seventh ward-G. B. Burkhaiter and R. B. smyer.
 Eighth ward-walter Bennett and B. B. | Martin.
 Ninth ward-James F. Hawkins and Walter Metcalf