The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-06
Aldermanic System Repudi- ated After Campaign of
 Much Bitterness
SPIRITED BATTLE
 ALL DAY AT POLLS
Total Vote of 3613 Indicates Keen In- terest Shown--Big Parade and Fireworks Last Night to
 Celebrate Victory

Mobile, June 5.-tSpecial) )-Probably the most signal defeat of aldermanic rule in any southern city within the past 25 years was today administered by the people of Mobile to the local office holders who have controlled the affairs of the city since 1900, when a majority of S29 citi- gems voted for commission government, the total vote being s61s. -..t=f It was spirited fight with both sides highly organized and with feeling at high tension at every polling place during the day The element supporting the alder manic side fought to the last ditch, hav- ing the entire election machinery in it's hands. They challenged voters who have been voting for years in the same wards; they sent emissaries into the wards with law books in their hands to spread the report that the checking of voters on pri- vate lists was illegal and punishable by Imprisonment in the penitentiary. Even attorneys who were on the commission side of the question and who were en- gaTed at the different wards in checking off voters according to their known pref erence as their ballots were cast were for as time non-plussed and it was not until Solicitor N. B. Clark visited the wards and instructed the men with the lists on the commission government side that they were not breaking the state law that the work of checking was resumed.
 Saw the Tide Turning
 During the morning every inch of the ground was fought by the Antis, but in the afternoon, recognizing that they were beaten, they relaxed their energies some what in the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth wards, the struggle being continued in the First. Sixth and Seventh There the utmost pressure was brought to bear to get out a big vote against commission without effect
 The result was not unexpected, for early in the campaign it was evident that a majority of citizens were in favor of a change and this confidence on the part of the supporters of commission govern ment increased until, on the night before the election, 1t was confidently predicted that the majority against aldermanic rule would be the largest In the history of the city.
 Every ward but two was carried for commission government, even those that were supposed to be strongholds for the opposition, notwithstanding the efforts of members of the officeholders' organiza- tion, who worked valanty at the polling places throughout the day to stem the tide of ballots that was slowly but surefy overwhelming the system by which Mo bile has been governed.
 An immense parade forsned immediate following the publication of extras by both daily papers, participated in by sew eral thousand which marched through the business section of the city, the marchers cheering and discharging fireworks.
 Weapon of Delay
 Thousands lined the streets as the parade passed by and gave an ovation to the men who had been prominent in the fight.
 Throughout the day at nearly all of the polling places the challenge was resorted to freely. but with little success. except as a weapon of delay, for the voters, thoroughly advised relative to their rights and determined to cast ballots for mod ern methods in the administration of the affairs of the city, were as determined to vote as their adversaries were to keep them from it.
 The commission government forces used V, carrying voters to and from the polling places. the machines being used in every section of the city where necessity for them arose The anti forces were even better equipped in the way of machines and carriages having a large number in commission throughout the day.
 An illustration of how jealously the interests of the anti-commission gov ernment forces were guarded was noticeable in the absence of banners from the vehicles under their control notwithstanding the fact that elabor ate banners had been prepared and were in use during the early morning hours. Through an oversight on the part of some one connected with the commits sion government campaign committee. banners which had been prepared for use upon the 70. G." ears were not put on according to programme, and the fact that the cars appeared without any signs to indicate their use caused consternation in the ranks of the antis, who at once suspected trick. A few minutes afterwards every banner was stripped from the vehicles of the anti forces and hereafter throughout the day there was nothing upon any of them to indicate that they were used to bring voters to the polls.
 Messages of Congratulation
 I congratulate the people of Mobile without respect to party or faction on the establ.s l.shment of sound business government, on genuine democratic principles. Congratulate the Register on its great work.
 JAMES WEATHERLY.
 Commissioner"
 Montgomery, Ala. June 5, 1911.
 Montgomery wishes Mobile unquali- fled success under commission form of government. w. A. GUNTER, JR..
 President Board of Commissioners.'
 Dallas. Tex. June 5, 1911.
 The city of Mobile is to be con graduated upon adopting the commits sion form of government. The election of good men Is all that Is necessary to insure it's success.
 w. M HOLLAND Mayor"
 Memphis. Tenn, June ]. 1911. Esst'Congratulations to the Register and the voters of Mobile upon the adoption of the commission form of government. It means the biggest days work ever accomplished by you.
 'lc. H. CRUMP, Mayor"
 John Dillon Injured
 Dublin, June 5--John Dillon. nationalist