The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-27
COMMITTEE ASKS FOR LATE PRIMARY Five Citizens of EnSIey Submit
 Petition VI. W. SHORTRIDGE REPLIES Sees No Need for Postponement-cet Through With Politics and Back to 7usIness-Foundry Is
 Shut Down.
". W. SHORTRIDGE REPLIES

Ensley, September 26.--(SpecaD "A com n1ittee of citizens waited on Chairman W. W, Shortridge of the executive committee thls morning and presented a petition signed by large number of business men, asking that a meeting be called Thurs day night to reconsider its recent action, and to postpone the primary for the nom ination of city officers, which has been set on October 29, to sometime after Jan uary l. Thegcommittee was composed or J. M. Perkins, J. w. Minor, George By rum, w. B. Bridges and j. F. Winning The caption of the petition gave two reasons for the postponement of the sri- mary First. that the business men arc firec of politics as 1t interferes with their business, and want a few months rest, and second. that it will be uneertain whether the Fifth ward is a legal part of the city until after the supreme court passes on the case involving the con- stitutionaiity of the act annexing this territory.
 Chairman Shortridge replied to the first part of the petition as follows: "The reason which impelled the committee to
 
 favor the calling of an early primary was in ord9r to benefit the business interests. because after it is over we would be through with politics, whereas, if the pri- maryt is postponed until January, there will be no cessation of politics until after that time; as in the case of two years ago. when the campaign was drawn out till December"
 In answer to the second part. he stated 1urther: If the primary is held on octo- Der, 20, the time set by the committee, no one could question the right of the citizens of the Fifth ward to vote. But if the primary is postponed until after the supreme court convenes in Novem- Der, the law annexing this territory will probably be declared unconstitutional and the citizens of the disputed ward could not take part in the selection of the off, cials who will govern them, not even their aldermen, as there is little doubt but that the legislature will pass another law when 1t meets in January, rcannexing this ter ritory. The object seems to be to set the primary at such a time that the voters of the Fifth ward cannot vote. This would be taxation without representation. There will not be sufficient time between the action of the legislature and the reg alar city election which takes place on the second Tuesday in February, for d primary to be held"
 Chairman Shortridge will make public his decision in the mater of calling the executive committee together tomorrow morning. The statements made above give the gist of the condition in which the politics of the Steel City now stand. The reply of Chairman Shortridge opens a new light on the subject. which had not appeared to many of his opbosition The matter will be fully determined tomor- TOW. when both sides will present peti- tions, which they have been preparing through the day. This is q liN\ issue in Ensley, and is causing much discussion.
 Foundry Is Shut Down.
 The foundry which has been run in connection with the rod mll of the Ten nessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company was permanently shut down last Satur- day. The plant employed about twenty men, who had no difficulty in finding work at the steel mill and furnaces The foundry was used for repairing and mal<- ing new machinery to be used in the diff iefent pants or the company in EnSley. It is proposed to order this material from the Birmingham foundry in the future.
 The Mayor of Wylam In his annual re- port to the town council, recommended that the streets be macadamized side walks be paved. water mains put in sewer pipes at street crossings construc- ton of a new Jail and a new town hall, school yard covered with chert and the auditorium in the school building com- pleted. Many of these suggestions will be followed out immediately.
 Ths treasurer's report shows the ffn- ancs of the city in exceptionally good condition.
 .s Notes and Personals.
 Edward Brazelton left yesterday for Chicago where he will remain for a short time.
 Miss Conner is quite i'll with fever at her home on Center street.
 Lude Burns of Anniston is visiting in Ensley today.
 Miss Nellie McCluen and Rhoddy Nor rison were quietly married last night at the home of the brides parents The contracting parties are well known in Ensley and their many friends extend congratulations. The bride and groom will spend their honeymoon in New York and will return to Ensey in few days.
 MT Lon Stewart of Fl Paso. Tex. who has been with his brother J. H. Stewart of the Ensley Land company, has re- turned to his home after a pleasant visit
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