The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-12
COUNCIL STRONGLY
OPPOSES THE PLAN
The City Fathers Jealous of
their Rights
CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS
May be Council VIII Refuse to Recog-
nlze Primary Nominees Should
Committee Place Candidates
on the Ticket.
CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS

There is much doubt as to whether OF
not the city council will abide by the
action of the city democratic executive
committee, should the committee order
the names of all candidates for municipal
office placed upon the ballot at the COM
Ing primary.
It is understood that majority Of the
members of the city council look upon the
proposition for the people to nominate
such officers as the city treasurer, city
tax collector, license inspector and street
tax collector and city engineer with dis
favor.
The city charter provides that city Of
ficers shall be elected by the city council
at the meeting of the body held on the
first Wednesday night in December.
These officials are elected for one year
commencing January l.
If a majority of the members Of the
city executive committee should be in
favor of placing the names of the can
didates for city offices on the ballot 1t
will be necessary for the municipal pri-
mary to be held before December, in or
der that the committee might request
the council to elect the nominees of the
people.
Reluctant to Discuss.
Members of the city council are reluc-
tant to discuss the matter, but as stated
above when the matter of adopting the
rule of the city committee, should this
body decide to let the voters nominate
city officials. come to vote that a ma
jority will be opposed to the proposition
It now seems, that a fight will be open
ed up in earnest against. Having the chief
OF police elected by the people this time.
1t is understood that certain members
of the police commission-and enough to
carry a point-think that this matter
should be left entirely in the hands of the
commission, as was the custom several
years ago, and as the charter provides.
For the office of chief of police two
names are mentioned. although no formal
announcements for the office have as yet
been made. Chief of Police w. e. Wier
will be a candidate for reelection, and 1t
is understood that George II. Bodeker
is being advocated by his friends for the
office. Mr.. Bodeker has been a member
of the Birmingham police department for
number of years, He is at present
detective, attached to the department.
City Officers.
Should the election of city officials be
left with the city council, with the ex-
ception of the members of the police de-
partment which under the law is entire
ly in charge of the police commission, IL
is understood that no changes in the
present staff of officers are likely to be
made. Up to the present time not the
least opposition has developed for any
of the officers.
Judge II. b. Alternately chairman OF the
city committee has not as yet Issued a
call for a meeting of mis- committee to ar
range plans for the coming municipal
primary. 1t Is understood, however that
the committee will be called together
sometime between September 10 and the
22d. The matter of calling meeting
of the committee Is left in the hands of
the chairman, but he can only issue the
call under the primary laws upon re-
quest of not less than five members of
the city committee.
The plurality rule continues to be the
leading topic of discussion in political cir
Giles and when the committee meets this
promises to be one of the liveliest issues
to be presented.