The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-05
.FORNEY RESIGNS
 FROM THE COUNCIL
Alderman frem Sixth Ward
 Sewers His Connection
BURNETT FOR COMMISSION
Well Known Alderman Thinks Com mission Form of Government Would Be Beneficial If
 Left to People.

Two interesting developments in the municipal situation were noted yester- day.
 l. Alderman John C. Forney, who was found guilty of official misconduct in view of his having held an option on 40 acres of land in the Eleventh ward and not making known that fact when the city took steps to acquire that property, has rendered his resignation, although the City Council referred the verdict in his case to the Judiciary committed
 2. Alderman Richard Burnett, considered the leader of the City Councils majority, or Burnett" faction, has come out strong in favor of commission form of government to displaee the present alder manic board.
 Some time ago Alderman Forney ten dered his resignation immediately after giving a statement of the charges against him to The Age-Herald After consid- ering the matter, however, he withdrew his resignation, participated in the Gam bill-Hoyt election before the board Wednesday night, and issued the follow ing yesterday:
 Alderman Forneys Resignation. Hon. Harry Jones' President City Coun-
 cil, Birmingham, Ala.
 Dear MT. President-I have come to the conclusion that the best interests of Bir- mingham will be subserved by the sever ence of my connection with the City Council of Birmingham.
 I now resign as alderman and I shall de- vote my working hours to my practice of the law.
 Understand, please, I do not retire on account of the newspaper editorials pub lished about me l resign, for l believe it Is to the best interests of the city, my family and myself.
 In my matter, 1t is my opinion that one of the daily papers of Birmingham has attempted to make mountains out of mole hills, for there has been no maladminis- tration of the city affairs and the records of the City, Council show this fact
 My relations with you, gentlemen of the council, have been pleasant l am deeply grateful for your many kindnesses and your loyalty to me is precious indeed
 Permit mo to say I love my constitu- ents of the Sixth ward. They, too, have been kind to me, and have always been eager to respond to their wishes and to better their conditions. I am sincerely yours. JOHN c. FORNEY.
 Burnett on Commission.
 Alderman Burnett, in his argument for a commission form of government, pays a marked tribute to the people. He believes that although the commits sion is created the people, as they do now, should rule and what the people say should be the law of the land. He thinks the commissioners should be elected by the people, and that pro vision should be made whereby it would be compulsory for the commits sioners to refer to the people all mat ters of grave importance. His state ment Is as follows:
 "The daily papers of Birmingham have had great deal to say lately regarding a proposition to change the form of our municipal government, creating a commission to take the place of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
 q have been a member of the Board of Aldermen for nearly two years and believe that I am familiar with the affairs of the city. It is a large busi- ness and should be conducted as far as possible as any other business cor poratIon and with as little politics as possible.
 "I believe that If the legislature at it's next session sh ould pass an act providing for the government of the city of Birmingham by commission, the result would be beneficial, provided a competent body of business men could be selected to serve on the com mission.
 q believe, however, in popular gov ernment and am firmly convinced that the citizens of Greater Birmingham should have an opportunity of deciding for themselves who should constitute this commission, and any bill consid- cred by the legislature should provide that an election should be held for the purpose of choosing the commis- sioners. Some provision should also be incorporated in the bill providing for a referendum of important matters to the people before final action is taken by the commission. It has been said that a good monarchy Is the best form of government and that a bad monarchy is the worst Care should be taken therefore in making such radical change in our method of government to provide for good and competent rulers, and placing proper checks and safeguards on their actions
 "I think the commissioners should be well paid for their services and held to strict accountability. and that the affairs of the city should at all times be managed with the same care and at tention as those of any large business corporation, the people being, so to speak, the stockh olders, and as such entitled to full reports as to how their interests are being cared for"
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