The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-05
FORNEY QUITS PUBLIC PLACE Birmingham Alderman Writes Letter. RESIGNS FROM THE COUNCIL Mass Meeting for Commission
 Government. sfany Cltisens VIII Assemble Tonight to Discuss Seating of Gambin
 Over Hoyt Who Was
 Elected.
RESIGNS FROM IRE COUNCIL

Birmingham. Dec. 4.-(SpeciaL)- Following the sensational charges made against several Aldermen in the Birmingham City Council, the resigna- ton of Alderman John c. Forney was forwarded to President of Council Har- ry Jones this afternoon.
 Alderman Forney held an option up- on land which the city was about to purchase, the price to Alderman For ney being sl600o and the price to the city $20.000. An investigation com mittee of the City Council reported that he was guilty of ''ofticial misconduct' and the matter was referred by the Council to the Judiciary Committee. which has not yet taken action.
 The following Is the letter of. Alder man Forney:
 gro the City Council:
 T have come to the conclusion that the best interests of Birmingham will be subssLyed by the severance of my connection with the City Council. now resign as Alderman and will de- vote my working hours to my practice of the law.
 Understand, please. do not retire on account of the newspaper editorials published about me. I resign for I be- iieve 1t Is to the best interests of the city, myself and my family.
 In my matter, 1t Is my opinion that one of the daily papers has attempted to make mountains out of mole hills there has been no mal-administration of the city affairs and the records of the City Council show this fact.
 My relations with you gentlemen of She Council have been pleasant. I am deeply grateful for your many kind- nesses. your loyalty to me Is precious.
 Permit me to say: I love my con- stituents of the Sixth Ward; they have been kind to me. and have been eager to respond to their wishes and to better their conditions. I am,
 Sincerely yours,
 "John c. Forney."
 Bis Mass Meeting.
 Men prominent in many lines of &C., tiyity here have signed their names to call for the mass meeting Saturday night in the Rrmory of the city hall for the purpose of considering munich pal affairs and the Council muddle in particular.
 The call for the mass meeting fol- lows the election Of A. A. Gamblll as Alderman from the Third Ward over Asa L. Hoyt. who was nominated in a primary held by the people. MT. Hoyt got the largest number of votes and the place was contested by MT. Gam bill. The City Democratic Committee decided in favor of MT. Hoyt but the Council by a vote of 13 to seated MT. GambilL The call for the mass meet ing follows.
 1t is understood that the citizens will urge Governor Conner to insert in his call for a session of the Legislature the consideration of a commission plan of government for the city Of Birniing- nam.
 While this talk Is going the rounds Alderman R. D. Burnett gives out an interview in which he says he favors commission plan provided the com. missioners are elected by the people,
 FavoHs a COmmisslOn. Not in many months have the peo- pie of Birmingham been so thorough ly aroused as they are now over the recent developments in the Board of Aldermen.
 Indignation Is at high pitch and there Is apparently an overwhelming sentiment in favor of complete change of government; a change through which the existing board will be re- tired permanently and new conditions created under which 1t will be impos- sible hereafter for like conditions to arise.
 The suggestion that a commission form of government might solve the problem has become the chief tonic of discussion in Birmingham and the general opinion Is that 1t will receive serious consideration at the hands Of the speakers who will address the mass meeting called for tomorrow night at