The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-02
CROPS IN ETOWAH SHOW PROMINENT Grand Jury Convenes M0n-
 day for a Week THE COMMISSION FORM New Law Firm Formed-Negro Is Whipped by Masked Men-Italian
 Singer Leaves = Southern
 Agent Promoted
THE COMMISSION FORM

I past week has been very favorable for the farmers in this county Since the rain the first of the week the weather has been fair and the cultivators have been hard at work so that soil con- ditions are much better than they were a week ago. The planting of corn has been about finished and most all the cotton has received at least one cultivation
 Grand Jury Convenes Tomorrow
 The Etowah county grand jury will convene on Monday next and will be in session for one week. There are sev- eral important matters to be given con- sideration and it is expected that a number of indictments will be returned even though the session is short. This will be the last session of the present jury and final report will also be made.
 New Law Firm
 Announcement was made today of the formation of new law firm In the city. E. O. McCord and Harwell c. Davis have joined forces and the firm will be known as Mccord & Davis. They have taken offices in the Simp- son building.
 Commission Form
 A movement Is on foot among those who want a commission form of gov ernment to secure an expression from the governor to the effect that he will appoint as commissioners whoever may be selected for this honor by the cit izens. The commission idea is quite popular here. but the matter of submit ting the question to the people has been delayed because 1t Is not believed that it would be indorsed by vote un- less the people be allowed to choose their own representatives. If the gov ernor accedes to the wishes of his friends here and agrees to name the commissioners selected by the people such an election will doubtless be held in time for a commission to take charge at the time of the expiration of the present administration.
 Whipped by Masked Men
 John Brown. a negro, living near Centre, in Cherok ee county, was taken from his home last night by a band of masked men and after being severe ly whipped was told to leave the coun- try. Nothing has been seen of him since. He was accused of being "peeper" at the home of prominent farmer. and in fact was caught in the act.
 Italian Singer Leaves
 Raoul s. Bonanno. Duke of Misilmeri, Italy, who has been singing in the Belle theatre for the past week. left here tonight for Atlanta. Bonanno sang in the grand opera at Atlanta recently and when his engagement was over there he came here for a week to sing in the Belle at the personal so- licitation of Manager Hunt who had previously met the duke in California. Bonanno has an excellent baritone voice and hundreds of the people of this city heard him sing every night this week.
 Agent Promoted
 J. M Anderson, agent for the South ern railway at Alabama City for the past seven years, has been promoted to assistant tranmaster with head quarters at Atlanta. Ga. MT. Anderson left today for Washington. D. C.. where he will be instructed in his new duties.
 Many Marriage Licenses
 A run was made on the probate of- fee this morning for marriage licenses. In two hours Deputy Forney Hughes is sued nine licenses to as many couples who were anxious to see what happi- ness might lie in the state of matri- mony
 Conductor Assaulted
 Al McGinnie, a freight conductor on this division of the Louisville and Nashville railroad was mistaken for another and rudely assaulted last night by a man wearing brass knucks. He i.. ;,, nd iu haIt cared for at a Birmingham hospital. He does not know his assailant. but suspect has been placed under arrest.