The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-09
General Sentiment Appears To Be That it Cannot Be
 Legally Done
CAN NAME ALDERMEN FOR
 ACTION BY TIE COUNCIL
The Next Mayor of Birmingham Will Be Mayor of Greater Birming- ham For 19 Months of
 His Term.

ham take part in the next Birmingham primary? That Is the question which has been discussed from every point of view Some think it practicable. Others believe it impossible.
 It is argued that the law provides that each voter in a primary shall be a quali- lied voter of the city in question, and that an election in which others partici- pated would be entirely illegal Suppose the ballot boxes were stuffed? is asked; suppose gentleman from Woodlawn should announce for Mayor, could he rule over Birmingham during the seven months during which time he would not be citizen of the city? Could any cit izen whose residence was outside the present limits of the city be elected in the September election, even if he were nominated in the early primary?
 Municipal Elections.
 The suburbs, North Birmingham, Pratt City, Woodlawn, East Lake, Graymont, West End and Elyton all hold elections in September under the municipal code to elect officers from the Mayor down, to hold office until Greater Birmingham becomes effective in October of next year. and those same mayors will act as mag istrates even after Greater Birmingham becomes effective. It is said that the suburbs would not like to take part in an election in which they could not enter a single candidate.
 The only part which they can have in the election of Greater Birmingham off cials, according to many, Is that of hold ing a primary early in the fall of next year, after the Birmingham council has settled the Greater Birmingham ward lines, and nominate aldermen as rec ommendation to the council. No doubt their nominees would be elected. and thus they would have peEect representa- ton in the governing body of the greater city.
 On the other hand. everyone says the movement is a patriotic one. In case the city executive committee could find a legal way to accomplish the desired end without complications, it is not believed there would be any opposition.
 Letter Starts Discussion.
 Here Is the letter which caused so much discussion:
 Birmingham, January S, l9US MT. A. H. Mullin, Chairman City Dem- ocratic Executive Committee.
 Dear Sir:-As the next Mayor of Bir- mingham will be Mayor of Greater Bir- mingham for 19 months of his term, it is nothing more than justice to the sub urbs affected by Greater Birmingham that they be allowed a voice in nominating the next Mayor and other city officials at the coming city democratic primary. These people who are to be taken into our great city should be treated with ab- solute fairness and 1t appears to me that the city democratic executive committee has a golden opportunity to start the e R. II. EGGLEsTON.
 Chairman Approves Plan.
 This is what Chairman Mullin of the committee had to say:
 q. for one, am heartily in favor of the proposition. If there are no legal difficulties in the way, and at the present time see none, shall make fight for the recognition of the suburbs. It is nothing but right that they should be allowed a voice in the selection of the men who are to govern them. Upon the officials nominated in the coming pr- mary will devolve the task of putting into effect the numerous changes that will become necessary. It will be the most trying time the suburbs will experi- ence. There is a vast population out there, nearly as large as Birmingham proper, and these people must be given a square deal.
 ''I do not anticipate much opposition to the plan. Certainly there will be no candidate who can object to it. I feel certain that the city committee will favor the proposition. unless there are legal difficulties In the way"