The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-17
.SKECGS DEFENDS
 GOVERNOR O'NEAL
SAYS "GREATER" DECATUR BILL WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT URGES CONSOLIDATION UN- DER GENERAL LAW

Decatur, March 8.-(SpeciaL L)-Mayor
 Henry A. Skeggs of Decatur gives out a
 spicy interview concerning the consoi-
 dation of the two Decaturs, defends Gov.
 Emmet ONeal in his veto of the Walden Greater Decatur bill and says that 1t
 was not the steam roller of Governor ONeals that struck Capt. Dan Walden as Captain Walden claimed in speech on the floor of the state legislature a few days ago, but that it was the state con-
 stitutlon that struck Captain Walden. The interview, which contains the char
 acteristic spice and keen wit of Mayor
 Henry A. skeggs, follows:
 After all the fuss and feathers, bluff
 and bluster about consolidation. we are just where we started; on account of some harsh and unjust things that have been said in reference to this matter. "The Walden bill met the fate that was
 predicted for it by Mr. Callahan in the | conference at Montg amery on January 24. The bill was clearly unconstitutional, and Mir Walden is mistaken about what hit | him. It was not the steam roller, 1t was | the constitutional of the state of Ala bama, and he was guilty of contributory negligence in bringing the disaster OH | himself. s,af Now, the mayor and council of De catur, and I believe that 1 can safely say 20 per cent of the citizens of De- catur, are in favor of consolidation under just and fair terms to both cities. The law provides for this consolidation and the mayor and council of Decatur on
 January 2S offered to undertake with the
 mayor and council Of New Decatur the consolidation of the two towns under the law. This can be done with satisfaction and with fairness to all the interests
 and the citizens of both towns. Now, if there is an earnest sentiment in New Decatur for consolidation then let the kitchen cabinet and the near
 statesmen get out of the way and lei
 the mayor ard council of New Decatur
 administer t,ie affairs of their office to which they are elected"
 A building on West Vine street
 owned by E. A. Bacon and occupied was totally destroyed by fire yester day.
 MT Ellis was sleeping in the build ing and barely escaped with his life A surprise marriage which tool place yesterday, was that of Miss An
 nie B. Glover of New Decatur to A
 L. Chunley, a travelling salesman o Birmingham. The ceremony was per formed by the Rev. Clay I. Hudson pastor of the First Baptist church, De catur, in the pastorium of the church | Only few relatives and friends wit | messed the ceremony. Immediately afte | tine ceremony the bride and groom lef for Birmingham to make their futur home. The bride is & daughter O | Mrs. Virginia Glover of New Decatu and was one of the Decatur's mos popular and attractive young women The groom is favorably known in so ciety and business circles throughou the state.
 After an illness of several days witt measles, Ozell Verna, aged 13 months | daughter of MT. and Mrs. w. F. Huch aba, died at tn cir home, 1914 Fiftl
 avenue. New Decatur. The funeral an, | interment took place at Bethal, in tn southern part of the county.
 Another child of MT. and Mrs. Huck aba is critically i'll with measles ant
 there is but little nope of it's recovery covery.