The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-08
FIGHT PICTURES ARE
BARRED BY COUNCIL
Much Routine Work Trans
acted BY Bessemer Solons
CONTEST STIRS THE CITY
knights of Pythins Install Officers and
Give Banquet-AIbert Ross Is
Critically IIl-0ther News
Items of Interest
CONTEST STIRs THE CITY

Bessemer, July 7.--(Special )-After
council met tonight and went through
a part of the mass of routine work that
! has been accumula ting during the past
month of inactivity. The minutes were
of such length as to require so minutes
to read them, and as a consequence the
clerk was hoarse when he finished.
The mayor recommended that an ordi-
nance be passed giving him power to
cut the weeds in the city and to assess
the cost against the property owners
where they did not cut them. Such an
ordinance was passed and the mayor
will at once see that the weeds are de-
stroyed. Mayor Lewis has been very
diligent this summer in keeping the city
in a sanitary condition and his actions
meet with the hearty approval of all the
| citizens.
| The mayor also recommended that an
ordinance be passed prohibiting the NOV
ing pictures of the fight between JEFF
fries and Johnson. An ordinance fully
covering this was introduced by Alder
man Stein and passed The pictures
are prohibited upon the grounds that
they would incte riots Feeling was
tense on the night of the Fourth. and
| It Is believed that trouble between the
races would result were the pictures ex-
hibited
The city is having trouble with the
water that is pumped out of the Sloss
mines 1t is overlooking the sewers and
the streets, and damaging property and
streets In the opinion of the city at
torney the city must protect the prop
erty owners that are being damaged by
the overflow In the sewers. The Sloss
company is not liable, according to the
attorney The complaint was referred to
the street and light committee.
The report of the city treasurer for
June was read and received as informa-
ton. The report of the keeper of live
stock was received as information. The
warden's report was read and showed
that the total cost of keeping the prison
ers during the past month was s209.S4
The chief of police reported a total OF
80 cases during the month, two convicted
and fined; total fines, $3.50.
The city physicians report was unique
in that it showed five more deaths dur
ing the past month than births. There
were more white births and less white
deaths than negroes. The figures are:
White births 10, negro births 5, total
births Is; white deaths I, negro deaths l,
total deaths, 20.
An ordinance was passed requiring
every person who resides in Bessemer
ten days or more to be vaccinated If he
has not been before. A fine of not less
than 81 nor more than 500 will be infiict-
ed upon conviction. The city health Off
Ger has the power to appoint an officef
to vaccinate.
The street and light committee report
ed upon many minor matters. The fire
department committee asked for further
time which was granted. Owing to the
serious illness of Albert Ross. the chair
bman, George Ross, was unable to be
present Mayor Lewis has succeeded in
disposng Of a large amount of old hose
that has been stored In the fire station
for some time. A petition was presented
asking that Fairfax avenue in Thompson.
town be. opened. 1t was referred to the
street and light committee. A second
petition was presented asking that
Twenty -sxth street be opened. The bids
for improving Dartmouth avenue were
held over until the next meeting night.
protest was entered against the as
sessment of property for Improvements
on Sixteenth street. H. c. Hatcher Of
fered the city $50 per month for the
revenues that come from the city pound
pen. It was referred to the finance COM
mittee.
A motion was introduced to authorize
the city engineer to order material for
a. trial of the road machinery recently
sent to Bessemer by w. A. Neal &
Son. 1t was proposed to improve Nine
tenth street from Fifth avenue to Eighth
avenue. 1t would be a considerable out
lay to buy such material. A motion
was made to table the motion. A tie
vote resulted three of the aldermen vot-
ing faye" and three mo-" The president
voted aye breaking the tie and
vote was then taken on the original
motion. which was lost, as 1t requires
| five votes to pass an ordinance requiring
| the expenditure of money.
| The city is in great financial distress
according to Alderman Durick OF the
Third ward His close inspection Of all
matters pertaining to money has led his
fellow members to dub him 1.-The Watch
Dog Of the, Treasury" If any PROPOSE
ton comes up requiring the expenditure
of money Alderman Durick always
counses delay. He usually carries his
point.
| Contest stirs City
The situation caused by the contest OF
the election of the mayor Is rapidly as
surling a serious aspect. The citizens are
divided into two parties, each criticising
the other, while thinking, men of the
town greatly deplore the occurrence. They
argue that it does not appear we'll to
have a squebble among themselves. 1t
was bad enough to fight with the re-
publicans but 1t is a disgrace to have
fight in the house.
Men have made charges In this AFFAIR
that are not meant when they are cooler
and the situation bids fair to be pro.
vocative of many lifelong enemies. II
has been charged that the ballot box
was tempered with. "1Tis Is Ridiculous
said e. A. Little, ''and no one who
thinks for an instant Will credit such 9
charge" Others heartily endorse this
sentiment Other charsss of a like ma
ture have been made but little attention
has been paid them.