The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-06
CITY HALL ARMORY PACKED
 WITH THOSE EAGER ID HEAR
Governor Is Urged to Take Steps Look ing to Creation of Commission of Three to Govern
 the City.

l TO protest against ana 10 coHuemn re cent actions of the City Council, people 1 crowded themselves into the armory of l the Alabama National Guard last night until no other man could find place to stand. The aisles were filled to overflow l ing. Beyond the doors people stood en- deavoring to hear, the privilege of sight being denied. The galleries, too, were overburdened with their human load. Hundreds of people were turned away. Even before the speaking began citizens visited the fourth floor for the purpose simply of seeing the people,
 All ages, all classes and conditions were represented. Aged fathers, with boards and white heads, stood on feet that did not complain. Lawyers doctors, judges, politicians, bakers and toiers of the soil joined in the popular demonstration.
 And no one was spared spade was called a spade. Criticism unrestrained, charges barbed, scandals known and un- known were aired, and old stories and forgotten lore were recalled from misty past.
 After the adoption of the resolutions the meeting was adjourned. It required 30 minutes in which to clear the hall. Much i time was consumed in general shaking i of hands. Every one was in a good ] humor Every one desired to express him ! self to his neighbor. Even on the streets l the people, in little knots and groups, dls- cussed what had occurred.
 1 Seldom has there been another such demonstration in Birmingham. The cit izens assembled hungrily devoured every charge of graft and bribery and greedily cried for more.
 i Ward Loudly Cheered.
 It was the night of all nights for Mayor | George B. Ward and the three aldermen i who compose the minority faction or the City Council When, in course of the opening speech, Walker Percy referred to that brave and chivalrous young man, our mayor" the applause was deafening. Cries of Ward, Ward, Ward!' persist ently rung out, and were quieted only py the most arduous effort. When, just be- fore the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Ward was virtually lifted to the platform, he was given what was pointed out as such a demonstration as few men nave received in the history of Birmingham. The mention of the names of the three members of the minority faction of the board, Messrs. Estes, Starbuck and Coop CT, elicited hearty applause, and when MT. BeddoW referred to this trio as the only body in which Birmingham could place even a shadow of hope," the cries of exultation were deafening.
 n1ttti man Burnett, referred to as the silent boss" Aldermen Forney and klotz' | against whom charges to the effect that l they were guilty of official misconduct have been sustained, Alderman Greener' who recently resigned a position with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company to retain his aldermanic seat; Alderman Fulghum. against whom some months ago charges of bribery were pre- ferred and which have never been sus- tained or disproved and Alderman Gam bill. whom the council elected contrary to the wishes of the majority of the voters of the Third ward expressed In a primary, bore the brunt of the terrific and unchecked bombardment
 But more than any other action of the council or any member thereof, the election of MT. Gambill over Asa L. | Hoyt. 'the peoples nominee" was cen sured.
 The idea of abolishing the Board e+ Aldermen and the substitution of com mission composed of three citizens to be paid, as MT Beddow expressed it, 'by ] the people and not by graft took like wildfire and in case Governor Conner calls an extra session of the legislature he will be urged to incorporate in that call such a consideration flor the re- lief of the people of Birmingham"
 Packed By 8 O'Clock.
 | The spacious armory, the galleries and l the railways were well packed by 8 | o'clock When the speakers of the even- | ing, Walker Percy. R. N. Rhodes, C. P. Beddow, Judge Samuel D. Weak ley and R. H. Kerr. made their appear ance the first cheer of the evening was | echoed throughout the building Mayor Ward followed the speakers to the stand and the sight of the chief executive was an excuse for the second round of un- stinted applause.
 |
 MT. Percy called the meeting to or der He followed this action by speech of 30 minutes. He reviewed the situation fully, expressing his opinion in no un- measured terms. MT. Rhodes followed in a very short address in which he crit icised the existing form of government l and made the remark that the 'bravest people of the land should have the bravest and most noble form of govern ment" Judge Weakley followed MT. | Rhodes, the speech of the former chief justice being a practical argument for a government by commission and an at tack against the ward sovereignty . which he claimed is the rule In Br- mingham today c. P. Beddow followed Judge Weakley with what was generally claimed to be the most telling speech of the evening His irony was keenly biting His humor was sustained from his open ing sentence to the close of his address. He told, with inperceptible effect. story after story. which evoked laughter and