The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-29
GAFFORD CHOSEN
 TOTAKE M'CARTIN'S
 PLACE WITH CITY Handsome Silver Service Pre- sented to Retiring Street
 Commissioner
RESOLUTIONS EXPRESS
 ENTIRE CONFIDENCE
McCartin Makes Short Speech and Of- fers to Be of Whatever Assist ance to the Citys He Can
 at Any Time

AL caHeQ meeting or the bodIu ol ]Ai- dermen last night, held for the purpose of electng man to fill the vacancy in the position of street commissioner, caused by John McCartin's resignation, Frank H. Gafford was elected by vote of 25 to 9 The opposition votes were by Aldermen Williams and Starbuck, who desired the matter to go over to the first meeting in April.
 The feature of the meeting was the presentation to MT. McCartin of cut glass and silver ice tea set by the board and the passing of a set of resolutions of thanks and commendation for the 20 years of wise and faithful service to the city, eight years of which were as alderman and the last 12 in the capacity of street commissioner.
 It was g meeting tinged with sadness, marking at is did the passing out of the city hall of the war horse of Birming- hams government. It wasn't like the leaving of office of the usual office holder and the faces of the aldermen wore a grave expression from the realiza- ton that the city was losing man who had builded, splendid department from practically nothing and whose 12 years of service in the street department had made him invaluable.
 Motion by Alderman Moore
 The motion to accept his resignation was made by Alderman Walter Moore, who expressed regret at the city's losing such man. Aldermen Gibson. Williams, McDowell and Gregg were appointed to draft set of resolutions of thanks to MT. McCartin for his long years of serv- ice, which were unanimously adopted.
 Mayor O'Brien made the presentation speech when presenting MT. McCartin with the ice tea set, and his words were beautiful tribute to the integrity, abil- ity and longheadedness of the man and his faithfulness to the trust which the city had imposed in him.
 Mr. McCartin replied in few words of thanks, expressing regret at leaving the city's service, with which he had been connected in one way or another for 20 years last December. During my service for the city do not believe there has been an alderman or mayor who has not gone out OI OlllCt lIlcHuly tO. iiiO, anu I sincerely believe that have the friend ship of the present holders" said MT. McCartin. 'In resigning my position, however do not mean that l am to be entirely out of the city's service, and if there is anything can do tomorrow, next month. next year or 15 years from now in the way of imparting what knowl- edge I may have gained to the city S benegt I will always be ready to do It.
 MT. Gafford's name was put in nomi- nation by Alderman O'Neill, and the vote showed him to have been elected by a. vote of 25 to g. Alderman Williams motion to carry the matter over until the first meeting in April met defeat by a vote of 23 to 2.
 Resolutions of Thanks
 The resolutions thanking MT. McCartin read as follows:
 ''Whereas, The Hon. John M. McCartin has rendered his resignation as street commissioner of the city of Birmingham, and the same has been accepted, thereby severing his connection with the city government; and
 "Whereas, His administration of the off, fee has been wise, efficient and business like. being eminently satisfactory; there "Resolved, By the city council of Br- mingham:
 "First-That his resignation has been ao ocepted with sincere regrets.
 "Second-That a vote of thanks is here by rendered him by this council for his fidelity to the trust imposed in him.
 "Third-That we hereby give him a vote of confidence as an official and as a private citizen.
 "Fourth-That we wish for him abun- dant success in the enterprise which takes him from the service of our city.
 ''J. B. GIBSON,
 JOHN r. WILLIAMS,
 I'M. H. MCDOWELL,
 ..M J. GREGG"