The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-23
SPLIT IN THE
 CITY COUNCIL Revolutionary Scenes Enacted by Solons. PROHIBS MUCH GRATIFIED Mayor Wards Plans Are All
 Upset. Municipal Code is Adopted and Alder man Parker is Elected President of Council, ROnting Acting
 Mayor Moore.

The split in the city council of Btrm- bingham is regarded by many as one or the best things that ever happened for the cause of prohibitions. It is point ed out by those famikiar with the ev- ents leading up to the revolutionary scenes enacted in the council chamber wednesday night that 1t was nothing more nor less than successful at tempt of those against Mayor Ward s ideas to get into power.
 It is a we'll known fact that Mayor Ward has always believed in the city government having absolute control over the regulation of whiskey. It is also known that Mayor Wand is firm believer in high license.
 The first move made by the so-called anti-administration faction was the passage of the ordinance, prepared un- der Mayor Wards supervision, provid- ing for the adoption of the municipal code bill enacted at the last session of the legislature. The ordinance carried out the terms of the code bill to the letter but made provisions that the cftu government remain as it is until the expiration of the term of office of the present administration.
 The very moment the ordinance car rying out the ideas of Mayor Ward was adopted, Alderman Parker intro duced an ordinance providing for the immediate adoption of the municipal code. Then 1t dawned upon the Alder men friendly to Mayor Ward, who is absent in Europe. that movement was on foot to upset all the Mayors plans There was concerted move Inent to stop the onslaught of those bent on getting control of the city government, but ten oEt of eighteen Aldermen stood solidly together. AL derman Parker insisted upon suspen- sion of the rules so that his ordinance might be put upon immediate pas- sage by x-hich the ordinance of Mayor Ward would be repealed. The rules were s~5pended and the ordinance adopted.
 Alderman oNeIu then arose and moved that the Council proceed with the election of president of the Coun- ci1, as provided for under the code just adopted Acting Mayor Moore, who was present, ruled the motion out of order, but Alderman OTNeill insisted that the Counclli by a majority vote. had a right to suspend the rules. The same ten stuck loyally together and the rules were suspended, Alderman Parker was then placed in nomination and elected president of the Council. all members except one voting for him.
 During the vote Alderman J. R. Cope land m le a charge that there had been a caucus for the purpose of threshing out the matter and that such legtsla- ton was unfair in tho absence of the Mayor. Alderman O'Neill resented the remark and lively tilt followed
 After Alderman Parker was elected President of the Council, he took his place as presiding officer, routing Act ing Mayor Moore. Under tho terms of the code he will be Mayor of Birming- ham until Mayor Ward returns. He will also have the power to abolish all committees named by Mayor Ward and appoint new committees. It is under stood that all the old chairmen will be removed and those taking part tn the coup favored.
 It was after the adoption of the mu- nicipaI code and the election of Alder man Parker as presiding officer of the Council that the whiskey question was brought up. The excise committee re- ported favorably resolution offered by Alderman Greener providing that the city authorize no license after January 1, 1903. The Greener resolu- ton was intended, 1t was said, to force the Aldermen to show their hands on the prohibition question. Members of the Council who are supposed to be against prohibition then got busy and had the resolution referred to another Committee, thus destroying its pur- pose.
 Alderman then introduced resolu- tion providing for the liquor license To be placed at $2,5O0 per annum. rms resolution was very promptly tabled and a resolution pledging the council to be hands off" the whisky question until next December was adopted.
 It was pointed out by those known to be against prohibition that the people had taken the matter in their own hands and that the question would be settled at the polls this fall Alder man Moore said 1t made no difference what action council took, there was no way on earth to ward off a prohibi-