The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-11
FITS AND OATES
 SPEAK AT GADSDEN
Both Take Shot at Bankhead'S
 Good Roads
CITY COUNCIL IN SESSION
Mayor Is Empowered to Condemn Property for Purpose of Building Sewer System-Other
 Gadsden News.

Gadsden, July 1o-(speclal) )-Ex-G Cover nor William c. Oates and William C. Fitts, both candidates for alternate Unit ed States senator, spoke to a small au- dience at the court house at 2;3O. MT. Ftts had previously announced that he would speak here today and accorded ex- Governor Oates a division of the time. Col. Robert B. Kyle introduced ex-Gover- nor Oates to the audience and he com menced his speech with a review of his work as a member of Congress- and as governor and said that he only wanted to go to the Senate for one term, not be- cause he wanted the salary of the office or for personal ambition. but because he thought he could serve his state in a useful way. He reviewed at some length national railroad regulation and spoke of the fact that Senators Morgan and Pet tus had voted against the bill in the Senate. This he thought was wrong and they should have voted for it by all means. He said that he had introduced the bill in Congress withdrawing the pub lie lands in this state from cash entry and was instrumental in getting 1t en- acted into a law, and spoke of the good the measure had done the state in pro viding homes for the poor. Referring to Congressman Bankheads platform, he said he was very much opposed to his plank providing for federal appropriations for public roads, first, because he thought 1t unconstitutional, and second that It would place the public highways under jurisdiction. He concluded his speech with an earnest appeal for the support of the people and was heartily applauded at the conclusion.
 Mir Fitts was in excellent voice and made good impression by his earnest ness and direct way of putting things He said that he was not a candidate on his past record but would go before the people upon what he hoped he could do in the Senate. He devoted a large portion of his speech to the personel of the present Senate and said that he be- lieved in turning the rascals out and keeping them out. Continuing he said that the present Senate was dominated and controlled by the money power of the country and he believed that this could be avoided by the people choosing their own representatives as the people of Ala bama were doing. He paid his respects to Congressman Bankhead and said that he believed that Banlkhead had inserted the federal aid for public roads plank into his platform for the purpose of having something to try to ride into public favor on, that Bankhead had been demagogue so long 1t was a second habit with him and that he would not be him self unless he did have something of the kind to back him. MT Fitts concluded his address by asking the support of the people and was loudly cheered at the conclusion of his remarks.
 Gadsden Council Meets.
 The postponed meeting of the city coun- oil was held last night with the full board present, excepting Alderman F. H. Cross. Considerable business of a rou- time nature was transacted. By unani- nous vote, on motion of Alderman Sitz the ordinance of Alderman Christopher to repeal the action of q former council in indorsing the Mitchell Weller water works franchise was passed over until the next regular meeting. The reports of the various city officers were referred to the finance committee. The special street committee. appointed to investigate the opening of r F'oster and Weller avenues instructed the street superintendent to open Foster avenue at once. By vote. the council gave Mayor Smith full power to condemn property and bring action against owners of property in order to open streets and secure rights of way for sewers An ordinance making 1t a mdsdemeanor for any person to ride a bicycle on the sidewaIKs within the city limits was passed, and becomes opera tive on July D.
 w. s. Griffith Very Low.
 message was received here this morn- ing saying that W. s. Griffith was dying in a hospital at Birmingham. to which city he had been taken for treatment Mir Griffith had been very low for some time with typhoid fever. Mir. Griffith was the founder of the Evening Journal and was dts editor until about year ago, and has many friends here and in this part of the state who will be pained to hear of his condition.
 Money Is Easily Raised.
 The committee appointed few days ago to solicit subscriptions to the car works fund site are meeting with excel lent success, and will have the full amount ready by tomorrow at noon The railroad company announce that they will begin work just as soon as the deed to the property is delivered, and Judging from present prospects this will be done before the week is out.
 Steel Company Stockholders Meet.
 A meeting of the stockholders of the city today. Among the stockholders present were: President D. T. Schuler Treasurer and General Manager George H. Schuler of Birmingham and George G. Van Zandt of Chicago. The proceedings of the meeting were not made public.
 Morgan Leaves for Bailey Springs.
 Washington, July 10.-tSpecial.) )-Afler several days spent with friends in Vir- ginla Senator Morgan Is expected to reach Bailey Springs, Ala, tomorrow. where he will be during the summer II Shirt Waist II pinC