The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-28
JUSTICE OF PEACE
 ASKED ID RESIGN President AberCrombic Makes
 Address at Selma
GIVEN CLOSE ATTENTION
Jake Watts, Negro, Is On Tra In the Circuit Court, Charged With Highway Robbery-Other
 Selma News.

Selma. September 27-(speclal)-Fo some time the manner in which the court of Justice of the Peace Chip Avery of Valley Creek precinct was run has been the subject of criticism in this city, Val ley Creek being an adjoining precinct to the city. Time and again there has been rumors of impeachment proceedings be- Ing instituted against him. This morning when he appeared before the grand jury to make his report Solicitor Thomas, with the approval of the grand jury. stated to him that he was an old man and that it was not desired to be harsh upon him on account of his gray hairs. but he had tlIe alternative of either resigning as jus tioe of the peace or being lmpeached. There were intimations that besides inn psachment indictments might follow. MT. Avery thereupon wrote out his resigna- ton and handed 1t to the solicitor It will be presented at once to the Governor and a successor appointed.
 The news of the action of the grand julS will be agreeable to many persons in the section over which the resigned justice had jurisdiction, and is considered a step in the right direction for the better enforcement of law in all respects in Dal- lar county.
 For Highway Robbery.
 The time of the circuit court has been taken up today with the case of Jake Watts, a negro charged with highway robbery. About a year ago. according to the evidence, Watts found an old white man. Mathew Gilmer. sitting on the side of a creek. He knocked him in the head and took from him a quantity of money. At the last term of court he was found guilty and sentenced to forty years in the penitentiary, q term more than his natural lie. The case was appealed to the sup eme court on slight error in tn indic tment, the word dollars having been left out of the description of the money taken, the words reading two hlp' stead of q two dollar bill." The supreme court reversed and remanded the case, and new indictment was found by the present grand jury
 Delivered Splendid Address.
 This morning on the occasion of the formal opening of the Presbyterian High school a large number of Selmians, in- NiuuiD6 iildliS leiuits, BdlllVltu db ihV court house to hear the address of pr. J. w. Abercrombie, president of the State University. The court room was well filled with extremely attentive audi ence, the address being followed with closest attention.
 Professor McMeen, president of the Presbyterian High school presided over the meeting and with him on the platform besides Dr. Abercrombie were the Rev. J. l.. Cross, Senator k. W. Pettus and Major J. c. Compton. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. J. l.. Gross after which Dr. Abercrombie was presented.
 Dr. Abercrombes address was splen- did one in every feature. He declared that the college trained man Is the hope of the future of the country and showed that it was the doctor. lawyer, teacher, business man, government official and preached that had college training that was the successful one. His tribute to woman and the sphere of woman being the home was received with applause by his audience made up for the most part of women.
 Dr. Abercrombie declared that except nobility of character the power for ap plication to whatever one starts out to do has been the chief factor in all suc- cess. "For want of application" said he. virtue walks the ways of the world in
 
 along in rags
 At the conclusion of Dr. Abercrombie's s address Senator Pettus was called upon. Prof McMeen on behalf of the school returned thanks to those who had assist ed in the exercises and to Judge Miller for postponing court until after the ad- dress.
 Local and Personal.
 Word reached the city today of the in Ia oHa last of Father M. Wolfe, who for five years served the Catholic church of this city as assistant parish priest Father Wolfe left Selma about year ago. His death will be learned with great sorrow by many who knew and loved him.
 It is conceded that A. J. Martin, who for so many years has served Dallas county a member of the court of coun- ty revenues, will not be a candidate for reelection at the expiration of his term and the friends of Col. B. r. Ellis are mentioning him as the proper man for MT. Martins successor The office of county commissioner in Dallas has always been considered one mostly of honor and MT. Ellis friends believe he is the man to receive this recognition of his high worth
 Isaac Chil1is. better known as Forty Cents" was discharged in the mayor s court this morning on the two charges of carrying a concealed pistol and pre- sentng a pistol There was not enough evidence to convict.
 The grand jury expects to make final adjournment tomorrow, the adjournment depending upon the securing of certain witnesses that have been sent For.
 Mir. Watt Dudley, a very popular young man of Colirine Is visitor to the city today.
 MT. Walter Mason. superintendent of car service of the electric railway. left this afternoon for a visit to relatives near