The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-10
BESSEMER DECIDES
TO KEEP UP FIGHT
Ringing Resolutions Recite
Justice of Their Cause
MASS MEETING LAST NIGHT
Movement to Organize the Trl-cities
Commercial Club Is Revived-Per-
sonal and General News of In
terest in Bessemer.

Bessemer, November -(Specia1)-An
enthusiastic mass meeting of the citizens
of Bessemer was held tonight at Rebie
hall by a large and representative body
of citizens. 1t was moved that the New
J Counties club be made permanent or
ganization and all committees as they
| formally stood be retained. The follow
! ing resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, The recent Legislature of Ala
] bama, by more than a three-fifths voice
/ of its membership, passed a bill propose
/ ing al amendment to the constitution of
the state whereby new counties under
proper conditions might be created by a
direct vote of the people concerned; and
Whereas, Said amendment was submitted
to the people of Alabama for ratification
on November g. and the returns of said
election would indicate that the said pro-
posed amendment has been defeated by
a small majority; and
Whereas, The citizenship of south JEFF
ferson county and the portions of counties
contiguous thereto, believing in the right
eousness of their cause, have been large
ly instrumental in the promotion of said
amendment; and
Whereas, Those actively interested in
the defeat of the measure have dissent
mated throughout the state of Alabama
maps and printed matter that through
false representation have mislead and de-
ceived many who are anxious to know the
facts and do that which is right; and
Whereas, The returns from the election
aforesaid show that more than two-thirds
of the counties of Alabama believe in the
democracy of the proposed amendment,
and that $1,000 people of this immediate
community are practically unanimous in
their desire for home rule; and
Whereas, 1t is evident, from their ex-
preston, that the people of Alabama are
becoming rapidly informed of the right
eousness of our cause, and are beginning
to understand that the recent active OPP
position to a creation of new counties by
a voice of the people is born and nurtured
in a few political centers of the state
that would sacrifice the interests of the
masses for the promotion of their polit-
ical powers; and
Whereas, We have an abiding faith in
the integrity of an intelligent public, who
are ever ready to lend a willing ear to
the complaint of the oppressed, and who
are anxious to render justice where JUS
tice is due; be 1t
Resolved, by the citizens of the territory
aforesaid, in mass meeting assembled, in
the city of Bessemer on November 3,
1903, That to the statesmen of Alabama
who so unremittingly and faithfully de-
voted their services to the prosecution OF
the peoples cause, and to those citizens
throughout the state who so literally
and with such noble public spirit inter-
ested themselves in our behalf, and to the
press of the state, both daily and weekly,
for their recognition of the justice of
our cause, our warmest, sincerest and
most appreciative gratitude is given;
And be it further resolved. That this
cause of the people, whereby they seek
to secure unto themselves the right of
local self-government, is not lost but
only deferred to the time when the peo-
pie of Alabama will awake to better
understanding of the justice of this
cause.
And be ii further resolved, That it is
the sense of this meeting that we con-
tiEue by all honorable means to inform
the people of Alabama of the facts as
they truly exist, that these $4,000 people
IN their midst, living within territory of
600 square miles miles, with property
valuations of more than $50, 100000, and
who are and have been for 20 years striv
ing to throw off the tyrannical yoke of
political power that seems to have for
gotten all save the satisfaction of its own
insatiate political appetite. and that We
are asking only for the conveniences of
government to which we are entitled.
And be 1t further resolved, That copy
| of these resolutions be furnished the
press with the request that they publish
| the same.
Signed: Gardner Goodwin, chairman;
| T. T. Huey, John II. Williamson, James
| II. Hard, w. S. Gilbert, committee