The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-18

Just Price"
This afternoon at 2:SO o'clock Former
Committeeman Evans, raised the point
again that there was no quorum present,
and suggested adjournment.
Mr.. Ben Oldham not a member of the
committee took the floor, and made a
few caustic remarks, in which he referred
to Alderman Moore, and warmly praised
the rulings of the chairman Committee
man Hawkins made the remark that there
was a scheme on foot to block a quorum,
and referred again to the fact that one
of the committeeman had left the room.
He did not say from what source the
effort to block the quorum came, but in
speaking, gazed intently towards where
the Mayor and Alderman Moore were sit
ting.
Alderman Moore then took the floor
again, and charged the committee with
attempting to override the will of the
people. Il don't believe" he cried, that
the people will favor being overriden by
a minority. l tell you positively. 1 be-
lieve that you will hear from whatever
action this minority takes" The alder
man was exceedingly earnest, and struck
the chairman's desk with his clinched fist.
Then turning rapidly to that portion of
the room wherein sat Mr.. Oldham, the
alderman cried: Ben Oldham came here
to serve his own selfish purposes. He
is trying to shape you, as he has tried
in the past to rule the City Council. He
has criticised me before you ALL and he
has criticised me before the council.
reiterate, Mr.. Oldham is not here in the
interest of the people or the party. He
came to serve his own personal and sell
fish ends"
Mr.. Oldham rose hurriedly from his
seat, and advanced with firm step to-
wards the center of the ROOM When
he stood again, he said: walter Moore.
l like you now more than ever before"
There was loud burst of laughter
from every portion of the hall. Some
committeeman incidentally announced to
the chair that neither of the gentlemen
was a member of the committee.
Chairman Metcalf declared that If the
proceedings of the committee were fur
Their interfered with that he would order
an executive session. Alderman Moore
replied that such a course would be fit
ting and in conformity with the present
policy of the committee. He declared
that the court house crowd was ruling
here, too"
Greenwood's Seat Challenged.
In the meantime the committee had
begun its work. 1t was agreed to accept
the proxies outlined above, and to elect
men to/hll five vacancies. Bert Clifford
was elected to fill the vacancy in the
First ward without opposition. w. H.
Cutliffe was elected to fill the vacancy
in the Third ward.
When a vacancy was declared In the
Sixth M M. tSewart, citizen, claimed
Sixth. NJ M. Stewart, citizen, claimed
challenged the seat of Committeeman
Greenwood stating that the committee
man was now living at East Lake, where
he maintained a bed. Greenwood stated
that this was true, but that he maintained
bed too in the Sixth ward Mr. Stew
art then replied with a question. demand
ing whether or not Mr.. Greenwood was
a qualified voter. Mr.. Greenwood re-
fused to answer, and the committee ruled
that all charges must be preferred In
writing for future consideration.
To fill the one vacancy in that ward,
therefore, NJ. NJ. Stewart was nominated,
as was B. H. Van Fleet The latter was
nominated by Committeeman Greenwood,
and received the support of Mr. 1Aber-
nathy. He was elected.
To fill the vacancy in the Eighth ward,
Judge Zel CASTOR and w. II. Johnston
were nominated.
Before the vote was taken Committee
man Alternately asked Committeeman Mel
son to relieve him of a promise. ION the
same DfOuDu llltit l'hFNNb S't iiiio
morning" Mr. Nelson replied in the af-
firmative. but afterwards remarking that
he had voted for "Mr Alternatives man.
Mr.. Alternately voted for w. II. Johnston.
The vote was tied, to I. Judge Castor
then withdrew from the race, and Mr..
Johnston was seated by acclamation.
Chairman Metcalf then declared a va
oancy in the Ninth ward on account of his
own elevation to the craftsmanship. John
stapleton was elected without opposition.
The Controlling Power.
During the election of the above gentle
men. Mayor Ward again took the floor,
and again protested against the commit
tee taking action. He was unable to see
how a minority could even elect MEM
bers to make a quorum He ascribed
his interest to the fact that he would
probably be candidate. He referred to
the fact that the action of the committee
might lead some to bolt. He referred to
his belief that the committeeman present
controlled things, and a meeting another
night would make no difference.
Committeeman Hawkins. who was on
the the floor at the time. wanted the
mayor to specify who controlled the com
mittee. Mayor Ward explained that he
didn't make any such charges.
AT this point Alderman Moore exclaimed
loudly. "Abernathy does!"
Committeeman Hawkins then stated