The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-10
HOW ENLARGEDC|TY WILL BE GOVERNED Birmingham Council Will Re-
 arrange the Wards UNDER MUNICIPAL CODE Police Commission Will Have Three Members and Citizens Can Vote
 On Board of Public
 Works.
UNDER MUNICIPAL CODE

Now that the smoke of the battle for Greater Birmingham has cleared away, and the enlarged city is assured, citizens of the greater municipality are discuss- ing what the future is to bring forth.
 How will Greater Birmingham be gov erned?
 The failure of Governor Conner to sign the King companion bill providing for the regulation of the governmental ma chinery of the greater city means that Greater Birmingham will be governed cording to the provisions of the general municipal code. Under the new code cities of 75,OO0 inhabitants can have not eX- ceeding fourteen wards and cities of 10000 inhabitants not exceeding twenty wards.
 While it may not seem quite fair tc the outlying towns and territory, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Biz mingham, under the new code, nave en- tire authority in rearranging the wards of the enlarged city. They also have the authority to say whether there shall be one or two aldermen from each ward. It is generally presumed, however, that the council of Birmingham will go about IfllS matter III d SplIil jbl tHlit ldiiIlSo9 and will arrange the wards so as 10 work no hardship on the suburban towns. Governor Conner, in his message Thurs day night. said he trusted to the fairness of the citizens to get together and agree on plans that would be satisfactory to all interests.
 Whether the number of aldermen shall be one or two from each ward is to be decided by the Board of Aldermen of Birmingham in office preceding the elec tion of a new board. In other words, If Birmingham with 100000 people, divided into twenty wards, shall desire one or two from each ward, the city authorities have the right to so decide.
 It therefore appears probable that tle representation in the Birmingham board will remain as now-two from each ward, with a president of the board added
 Other Code Provisions.
 The general municipal code just adopted by the legislature contains one hundred and ninety-seven sections, most of which are copied from the charter of the city of Birmingham. There are, however, some important changes.
 Under the provisions of this code, Bir mingham's next municipal election is to be held on the third Monday in Septem- Der. 1908. but the term of the officials then chosen will not begin until the following May, at which time the term of Mayor Ward and one-half the present members of the Board of Aldermen expire The Mayor to be elected in September, 1908, will serve only one year and seven months, beginning May, 19O9 the short term aldermen will serve out their full term, but the long term aldermen will serve only three years and five months, instead of four years.
 The city may or may not be rearranged by wards at the option of the Mayor and aldermen. The aldermen are still tc be elected by the votes of their respective wards. A president of council is to be elected by the general vote of the city in the same manner as the Mayor.
 Under this code the Mayor is removed from the legislative body, but is given veto power. Ward lines cannot be changed within three months previous to an elec- tion or within eighteen months of the [ Police Commission.
 The police commission will be composed of the Mayor and two other members The governor appoints these two next month, and they will serve until the May following the September, 1908, election, at which said election their successors are to be chosen by the people.
 tl,. ctol. It,I.,. A of a "board of public works" Dit this must be done by popular vote. It is pro- vided that upon the petition of 900 qudli- fled electors the City Council shall order an election for "board of public works or mo board and if there is an af- frmative vote said board shall consist of the Mayor and four other members.
 Cities of 75OOO inhabitants can have not exceeding fourteen wards; cities of 100000 inhabitants not exceeding twenty wards a