The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-27
One Aged Veteran With Life
Certificate Snubbed Be-
cause He Is Anti
YOUNG MEN GET PAPERS
BY DOMINIC WHITE RIBBON
Many Against Amendment Are Re-
quired to Read Constitution and
Are Turned Down When They
Stumble on Word.

Feeling was intense yesterday morning
about the courthouse when 1t became
generally known that fair percentage of
those who presented themselves for regis
tration were being rejected by the regis
trars.
Just how many were turned down yes
terday is unknown. However, so many
were refused the right to qualify them
selves for the amendment election Mon
day that in certain sections of the city
the greatest Indignation prevailed.
White men were forced to read from
the constitution Of the United States,
whereas lawyers of the city contend that
such provision was made not for the pur-
pose of hindering the white man in the
exercise of his suffrage. but TO maintain
the purity of the ballot as concerns the
negro.
One old soldier testified that a life cer-
tificate which he had procured some years
ago in another county was not allowed
TO, be transferred to Jefferson on account
of the fact that he is illiterate. He con-
tends that the registrars transcribed
their power when they assailed his po-
flliOn dIter ne nau aifeduy oDtdiheu tne
qualification.
Many Young Men Rejected.
Many young men, recently become of
ege, were rejected in spite of the fact
that they declare that they possess an
education as good as the average boy
of the country. several stated tlnt the
constitution, containing as 1t does, words
of several sylables stumped them, es-
pecally as they had become a little ner-
vous
D. w. Houston, court attache. makes
affidavit to the effect that several young
men of Bessemer who had been denied
the right to register on various grounds
were given that right after they had re-
turned bearing on their lapes white rib
bons.
The registrars, it is said, are unani-
mously in favor of the proposed amend
ment
They issued statement last night in
which they denied that favoritism was
being shown in the registration.
Some of the affidavits procured yester-
day follow:
Had Life Certificate.
State of Alabama, county of Jefferson.
Personally appeared before me, Jack T.
Stalings, notary public in and for said
county in said state, Champion H. Park
er, who being duly sworn deposes and
says that he was Confederate soldier
and is now 66 years of age; that he en-
tered the service at 16 years of age in
Captain McGill's company, Twenty-fifth
Georgia volunteers, and served one year
I'm the army of northern Virginia with
tc OF in
the battle of Gettysburg and various other
general engagements of the army of
northern Virginia in 1868; that in the early
spring of 1864 he was transferred to
yVheeler's cavalry with Georgia regi-
ment and served with this command until
its final surrender in North Carolina in
the early part of 1865. Affiant further
saws that in the spring of 1908 he re-
moved to Cullman county, in Alabama
and was registered there on November
49, 1904 receiving life certificate from
the county registrars, William Seir,
James Holland and Charles Pinckardt,
and voted in that county during the years
that he resided there. Affiant further
saws that he has lived In Jefferson coun-
ty. Alabama, for the past four years, and
on November 26, 1909 he went before the
registrars of Jefferson county, Alabama,
each or whom is for the amendment to
the constitution, and presented his life
certificate to them and they proceeded TO
prepare the necessary paper, and when
they requested him to sign the necessary
paper they had prepared he stated to
them that he could not write his name
They thereupon refused to register af-
fapt or transfer his registration to this
county, as provided by law. Affiant fur
ther saws that at the time he offered to
register there was preacher there from
Adamsville precinct, Jefferson county,
hoo NQt hi far1A
said something to the registrars, and at
said time affiant was wearing the badge
,dopted by the aQti-amendment commit
toe and was against the amendment
which fact was known to the said regis
trars.
CHAMPION (x) H. PARKER.
Mark
subscribed and sworn to before me this,
tre oetb day of November 1909
JACK r. STALLINGS,
Notary Public
Ribbons Were Watched.
rh, s..+e of Alabama. Jefferson County
personally appeared before me. Jack T.
atau,nps. a notary public in and for JEFF
Serson county, Alabama, D. w. Houston,
who, being duly sworn. deposes and says
THAT he is a citizen of Jefferson county
ana has resided in said county for Al
,.aars. that he now holds the official po-
eition of court deputy for the city court
OF birmingham, Alabama; that on Thurs
day, the 25th inst, in the city of Besse-
mer, Joe GOODWIN and J. s. James. both
OF whom are citizens Of said county, and
who have recently become Il years or age,
IN the presence of affiant appeared be-
fore the registrars of Jefferson county
or the purpose of getting registration
srtncates. The registrars were ID. A.
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