The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-03
1907

dtlOn is to snow that Dy pioN oNloe.S duct I have become disqualified uhesr Inc laws of this state to hold the of- fee. then can see some good to come oL the investigation; but is that his purpose. If it were, and he knows Of grounos ol disqualification. would he not have come out and declared such grounds! oueh d course would not only have been manly and the only course worthy or the hisn position he occupies, but 1t wouio naYe been fair to me. If his purpose IS olhei than to disclose grounds of disquailnea- tion. can not see what interest the pub | He has in my private character prior eo my election My constituency has passeu | upon that conduct. and they have been generous enough to pardon and oVerlook any private misconduct I may have been guilty of in the past. and have declared that whatever my conduct may have been in my early days (and have not been saint, my subsequent efforts to recsfry my youthful indiscretions, and to become a good and useful citizen, justified them in placing me in this responsible place
 Charges Against Mayor.
 But if MT. Ward thinks it to the public interest that my private conduct ana character should be investigated, he cer- tainly must admit that an investigation into his own private conduct and morals is a matter in which the public has an equal, if not greater, interest. l, there fore, make to MT. Ward this proposition: That proper committee be appointed to investigate the private conduct and morals of both of us with power te sum mon and examine witnesses touching the private conduct and morals of both I do not know how far back he may wish to go, but l am willing to go back to the time of our birth, and trace our private history to the present time. If he is will ing to this, let him say so to this board and l will cooperate with him, having a proper committee appointed to make the investigation, and in pushing it before the committee to final conclusion. - No one regrets indiscretons of the past more than l do, and have done for a number of years, and I have earnestly devoted many years, last past, to the correction of these indscretions, and to the upbulding of character and repu- tation worthy of a citizen of this great city. How successful have been I will leave to my fellow citizens
 Thought Past Forgiven.
 l had entertained the hope that no one in this community, where the spirit of Christianity is taught. and supposed to be accepted, would be so wicked as to again refer to the mistakes that I made years ago. This hope, 1 now feel would
 
 politics. However, I am rot made of that kind of stuff to be intimidated by even His Highness, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
 I wish to say that have no apologies to make for the part I took in the re- organization of the City Council of Bir- mingham. I acted with the majority of the members of the board who recognized | their right to reorganize under the new pOda fTbfS ma had baa to,,o and almost insulted by the Mayor because the> did not see fit to yield to his will and dictates. Was it not perfectly nat ural that they should retalate by ignor- ing him when the opportunity afforded?
 As you all know, very few contracts have been let by the council since I have bene a member of the board, and my opportunities for graft have certainly been very limited compared to the oppor- tunitles of some of the Ward faction of the City Council
 In conclusion, l want to say that to me this whole business appears to be politics, pure and simple. MT Ward has struck me below the belt, and I do not believe that the public will approve of his uncalled for and unjust attack Yours truly, R. D. BURNETT. i Calls for Investigating Committee. 1 This was followed by loud applause shouting and whistling The Mayor rapped repeatedly for order and com manded the chief to remove all who per- sisted in disorder.
 1 Alderman Cooper then introduced this resolution:
 Be 1t resolved by the Mayor and Alder men of Birmingham, That whereas, a i communication has been received from the Mayor copy of which Is herewith i attached and made a part of this resolu- tion, asking for inquiry into the quali- i fications and fitness of Alderman Bur nett of the First ward, to sit on this board, and,
 Whereas. these charges in justice to Alderman Burnett and all members of 1 this board should be investigated: now. therefore,
 Be it resolved by the Mayor and AL dermen of BirnSngham That this invest- gation is herewith ordered;
 Be 1t further resolved, That a commit tee be appointed by the Mayor, consist ing or three (3) aldermen and three (3) citizens. to conduct the investigation
 Be 1t further resolved. That this com mittee will when called by the Mayor. thoroughly investigate all such charges and report it's findings and recommends ttons to this board in regular session"
 The resolution was carried by the vote of ten including Alderman Heidt
 Charges Against O'NelI.
 The city clerk then read the charges of graft against Alderman O'Neill, in this communication from the Mayor
 September 30, 19O7 "To the honorable, the Mayor and Alder men of Birmingham, City.
 "Gentlemen:-I hereby ask for an inves- tlgation into the entire matter of laying bitulithic pavemcnts in the city of Bir- mingham Also on an official investiga- tion into Alderman John w. O'Neilrs all legged attempt to hold up and practice graft in connection with an ordinance which proposed to pave Sixth avenue from Fourteenth to Twentieth streets north.
 If this investigation is ordered I sug gest that committee of three from your council be appointed by the Mayor. further suggest that citizens commit tee composed of James Bowron, F. M. Jackson and Frank Nelson. Jr.. be an- pointed to act with the aldermanie com mittee and help form it's report. Said citizens committee to be given every privilege and right enjoyed by the alder. manic committee not prohibited by law Respectfully, GEORGE R. wARD
 Mayor"
 o'Neill Begins Fiery Speech.
 Then came the fiery speech of Alder man O'Neill. He secured the floor on question of personal privilege. q want to say that I consider my good name worth more than life, worth more than gold. '''''i
 And I want to say to you. Mayor Ward, that this blow was an under handed one, and that if it comes from