The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-17
WALKER PERCY SPRINGS
 SURPRISE ON BESSEMER
Introduces Twenty-Five Residents of That Neighborhood Who Express Desire That Imperial Jeffer-
 ferson Remain Intact.
BY c. M. STANLEY.

Montgomery. August 1e.-(special.)- Today was new county day at the capitol and tonight fully 200 Jeffer- son county men representing Bessemer the senate committee on constitution and constitutional revision in the sen ate chamber.
 The speaking was spirited and at times some rather sharp things were said on both sides.
 Chairman Hayes of the committee an nounced at the conclusion that no decision would be announced until tomorrow morning.
 While new county advocates are con- fident of the outcome the impression seems to prevail tonight that the new be shown even by the Bessemer speak CTS, who frequently stated that they in tended to keep up this fight forever. if necessary to get their rights.
 Walker Percy of Birmingham. who conducted Jefferson county's case. sprung somewhat of a surprise when he produced some 25 citizens from the lower end of the county outside Bes- semer proper who expressed their op- position to the new county and stated that they represented the sentiments of their communities
 Only four members of the committee were present tonight, Chairman Hayes and Senators Reese Thomas and Mer- ritt. Senator Forester and Senator Blackmon were at home i'll and Sena- tor Sprag gins was not in the city.
 Arguments for Bessemer.
 MT. Estes stated in beginning that he was willing to submit Bessemer's case without argument, but Senator Miller thought the citizens from the proposed "cut off," who were present opposing the new county, should have an opportunity to be heard.
 He discussed the objection that has been made to cutting the trunk sewer and putting it under cultrol of two S counties. He said the opposition had neglected to state that the sewer had been leased to a private concern for s9 years. He also maintained that small counties were an effective pre- ventive of political monopolies
 Pinckney Scott. also of Bessemer, started out by saying: If old Blount county had been as obstinate and re- fractory as Jefferson county has been for the past 20 years there would to- day be an imperial .Blount county in- stead of an imperial Jefferson. Bir- mingham people would now be going to Oneonta to court"-
 The speaker had reference to the fact that Jefferson county was origin ally carved from Blount.
 Pleading for an opportunity to edu- cate their children, he said: There is no place on Gods green earth with more children than Bessemer."
 James Trotter said Bessemer was en- titled to self-government as a matter of justice and right. He closed by saying that words of praise would as- dreds of homes if the legislature would give them their rights.
 Percy springs Surprise.
 Walker Percy stated that the people of the lower end of the county were not in
 
 He called upon J. G. Burgin, who lives in the extreme western end of the coun- ty. Mir. Burgin said that in order to get to Bessemer from his home he would have to go through Birmingham. He said the voters of his beat were. unani- mous against the new county.
 Yam salter of Short Creek said that in the former new county amendment election his beat went 72 to 2 against the amendment. He also would have to go through Birmingham to get to Bes- semer.
 Professor Knight of beat "A said the people of his section were strongly against the new county.
 Jack Reeves of Toadvine said people of his section were almost unanimous against the new county. He said he had lived there for 60 years.
 Tom Baston of beat 40 said that al- though his beat had voted for the new county before. there had been wonderful changes in sentiment. MT. Waldrop of beat 35 made a statement along the same line.
 R. B. Smyer spoke on the sanitary questions involved in the proposed d. vision of the county. He brought out many points to show the danger of hav- ing the trunk sewer under control of two counties.
 Percy's Conclusion Appfauded.
 MT. Percy was applauded when he said Bessemer had put up a puckly and a noble fight. and also when he said Senator Pet tus to him represented the highest type of man in public life he had ever known. The speaker maintained that Birmingham 20 years ago reached the conclusion that Montgomery should forever be the political center of Alabama, and Birmingham's att tention would now be confined to becom- ing the industrial center of the state. He said the opposition had exaggerated the congested condition of Jefferson countys