The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-01
$10,0OO DAMAGES FOR MRS. MATTHEWS Case is Passed Upon by the
 Supreme Court FIGHT ON THE SKYSCRAPER Sentiment Is Divided In Montgomery as to Advlsability of Locating the
 Structure In Circular Space
 In Public Square.
FIGHT ON THE SKYSCRAPER

Tn d decision rendered Dy lne supreme court today. Mrs. Florence Matthews of Hamilton will be given s10,000 as damages from the Kansas City, Birmingham and Memphis railroad, now the Frisco system, for the death of her husband, the Hon. Walter Matthews, who was thrown from one of the defendants trains at Guin on the night of November 1O 1899.
 MT. Matthews did not die for several months after the accident, but it was es- tablished that the accident was respon- sibie for his demise. MT. Matthews was the nominee of the democrats for state auditor at the time of his death in the spring of 1900, and was succeeded for the honor by the Hon. Thomas L. sowell, now in office.
 The validity of the fourteenth circuit law will be attacked before the supreme court tomorrow in the hearing of the habeas corpus case of Bob White vs. the i state of Alabama. It is argued that the l bill was not sufficiently advertised when it was passed, being weak at the same point where the Jefferson county consoli- dated court bill failed The fifteenth cir cult is also in the same boat, and it's au- thority to do business will be decided also in few days
 The proceedings of the supreme lodge, Knights of Pythias, held last spring in Louisville have been received, neatly bound, by MT. George G. Miles, grand keeper of records and seal of the grand domain of Alabama. The books are being mailed out to lodges and past grand of ficers over the state.
 Elected Men Lose Out.
 1,fe arNff1- 1 ion to the effect that the governor should decline to issue commissions to the men | voted on for members of the Montgomery county board of revenue at the election | November 8. The men now in office con tend that they hold by right of appoint ment in compliance with focal law, and that their terms are not out The others claim that the general election law re- peals the local law, and that those elected at the election just held are entitled to the places. Mir. Wilson says:
 T am of the opinion that there is nothing In the general election law so far as it is applicable to this question, to ex- cept it from the general rule that prior local law Is not repealed by later incon- sistent general law on the same subject. My opinion Is that you Ghe governor should decline to Issue the commissions"
 Office Building Contest.
 Montgomery is divided against itself on the question of a new office building and the city council and the commercial and industrial association Is kept in hot water by the faetions, who, while they may not be said to be warning, are contending. The ladies of the city have taken de- termined stand against the proposition and have called to their support a num- Der of the stronger men. Other strong men, those who are doing much to make the city and give f place in the commercial circles of the south, are fight ing for the scheme. Before going any further t may be Just to say that the fight is not on the construction of the building, but the place where it is de- sired to be located. In fact all seem to be agreed that the building is badly needed but many do not want 1t on the site of the public fountain, where 1t is proposed % be placed.
 The offer to erect the office building comes through the modern office build ing committee of the Commercial and h. dustrial association. Birmingham capt- alists propose to build on a circular space ffty-six feet in diameter a twelve story office building to have twelve rooms on each floor and to be fully safe and entirely adequate to the needs of the business men of the city and those who may, desire to come in. The city Is to be given a good price for the land and to receive a good price in rental for ninety-nine years, after which the build ing becomes the property of the city. The city attorney has decided that the council can let the space
 Ladies Oppose Plan. The ladies who have taken the trouble to fight the plan contend that the taking of the space in the public square is un- warranted and violates every sentiment | that the pee pie of the city hold deer. | That 1t will take up breathing space and | crowd the raain part of the city to the detriment ,f every interest Ex-Gover- nor William c. Oates appeared before committee ot the council yesterday and argued their side of the question. Gen. J. w. A. Sanford ridiculed the idea, and said such building would look like corn cob stood on It's big end. The plans are made by w. c. Western of Blrming- | ham, who planned the big buildings of that city Ii is estimated that the cost | will be $1500c0.
 Baptist Missions.
 l The Baptist State Board of Missions | has taken a liberal view of the work | ahead for the next year and made the | appropriations more generous that here | tofore for state work. It was decided that state evangelist ought to be named and one will be as soon as the right | man can De lOuHu lillS, NilH ScNti dl | other matters, was left with members | of the board who live in Montgomery. It l Is noted that the whole work of missions | of the Baptist church in the south will be greatly enhanced during the coming l year.
 The following schools and eongrega- tions were given aid at the meeting of the state board yesterday. High schools at Scottsboro, Healing Springs and Attn
 TnAIIn
 mac and West Huntsville, in Huntsville; Alabama City, Florence, Greensboro; East End in Montgomery; Mill church Talladega; Southside, Montgomery; Sec ond church, Selma; Decatur, Pell City. Auburn, Stouts Mountain, Tallassee, Swe- dish church, Baldwin county; Country field, Lowndes county; Colporteur, Lau- derdale county work in Marshall and
 Clarke counties; Five Points, Chambers T1x.t- -4o (f1ffo ttrr o.rlr