The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-06
STORMY SESSION OF
BESSEMER COUNCIL
Mayor Sullivan Casts ReAec-
ton on Members
SUSPENOS CHIEF JONES
Sullivan and Alderman Hairless Have
Warm Words and Friends Sep
arate Them Before Posi-.
BILE Encounter.

Bessemer, June 5.-(Special) 1.-THE meet
ing of the city council of Bessemer broke
up in a big row tonight in which Mayor
Sullivan questioned the honor Of every
member present. suspended the chief of
police and came near having a personal
difficulty with Alderman John Hairless.
For a few moments things were stormy
in the council chamber and the members
dispersed in order without the formality
of regular adjournment.
A motion had been made to adjourn and
was seconded. Most of the members had
secured their hats and were about to re-
tire peaeeably when Chief Nolan of the
fire department called the mayors atten-
ton to the bad condition of the sleeping
apartments of the firemen and asked that
some provision be made for them.
Most of the men resumed their seats
except Alderman Ross and Alderman
Crook, who asked to be excused to catch
their last ear home. They were excused
and retired.
Bissett Retires.
Chief Nolan explained the bad condi-
tion Of the firemen's apartment and the
matter was fully discussed by the men,
bers until the cost of providing other
quarters was raised, when Alderman Bis
sett asked to know the cost of the new
apartments. No definite answer could be
given, and he insisted to know the amount
of the expenditure before voting on the
proposition. AS he made this demand he
reached for his hat and started to leave
the council chamber He was ordered to
resume his seat by the mayor. Con-
tlnuing down the hall the mayor called
after him vociferously and ordered the
chief of police to arrest and bring him
back. He called back that the council had
adjourned and proceeded on his way.
At the time the mayor called to the
chief he was on the stairway outside and
seemed not to hear the mayors command.
The chief not returning with Alderman
Bissett the mayor ordered another officer
who happened to be present. to go after
and bring the chief. With this the mayor
descended from his stand and with an
oath declaring that he would suspend the
chief and would also show them that he
could have business attended to.
Reflects on Members.
The mayor also made a remark to the
effect that he had no confidence in the
acts or words of any OF the members OF
the council, When Alderman Hairless
started from the chamber. following Al
derman Bissett, he said: Let him go
he will have to see Bissett before h
knows how to vote anyway Hairless
overheard the remark and turning on the
mayor he replied: you are mistaken
there. and will have to take that back
He made an aggressive movement and
friends Of both parties took charge OF
them. leading them from the council
chamber at separate doors
This ended the meeting. but Just before
this incident Chief of Police Jones ha6
been returned to the chamber by another
officer and was sunmarilv suspended by
the mavor for disobeyng his order IL
arrest Alderman Bissett.
The Routine.
Every member of the council was pres
emit during the meeting except Alderman
Edge.
After the reading of the minutes OF
the last meeting and reports of officers
complaints We're heard from several citi
zens against the park street sidewalk.
that are being built in some sections OF
the city. These sidewalks are twenty-five
feet wide instead of twelve, which Is the
regulation width. The city attorney was
instructed to draw up a resolution pro
hiblting the building of any more side
walks of the kind, and the matter OF
cutting down those already built was re
ferred to the street committee the mayor
and the city attorney
The resignation of City Engineer II. e
Lint was read and accepted. and after Z
brief discussion between the Mayor and
Aldermen Bissett as to the necessity fol
| an engineer, Hugh McEniry was put il
nomination by Alderman Bissett and wa:
elected. Alderman Ross cast the only
negative vote and received the common
| dation of the mayor in the expression
God bless your old soul. Ross"
When the matter first came up of elect
ing a city engineer. Mayor Sullivan ar
gued that the city needed no city en-
gineer at this time, stating further thai
he wanted to reduce expenses and would
himself look after the affairs of the office
Alderman Bissett remarked that he die
not like to put so much work on thu
mayor, and offered a resolution that tn,
council so into an election. The resolu
ton carried with the result stated
Sunday Law Adopted.
An ordinance was adopted making 1t I'M
, lawful for any man to sell or give away
spirtuous, vinous or malt liquors on Sun
day. or to allow any one to enter sa
loon on Sunday except the proprietor OF
his clerk. The ordinance also provided
that all screens or ether obstruction Il
a full view in the saloon be removed or
Sunday. This ordinance is similar to the
one that was passed by the council SOME
time ago and vetoed my the mayor
\ letter was read from Morris Adler
principal owner of the Bessemer Water
Works company, in which he stated thai
he would meet a special committee from
the council on June ID to confer will