The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-01
Return of Local Option

In the state during 1911 the most inl- portant event was the qualification of Emmet O'Neal of Lauderdale as governor of Alabama, and Walter D. Seed of Tus- caloosa as lieutenant governor. The leg islature. which convened in January, en- acted measures restoring to the people the democratic principle of local option in reference to the traffic in liquor. Sew eral of the counties. taking advantage of the opportunity, removed the shaekles of prohibition, among the number be- ing the populous counties of the state. Jefferson Mobile and Montgomery. The legislature by passing bill providing for a constitutional amendment election, pre- sonted an opportunity which will be vot- ed upon in 1912 by the grasplng of which the people of Jefferson county will abol- ish the fee system Of remunerating pub lie officials.
 The chief event of the year as far as tine county was concerned was tho defeat of prohibition. which had ob- tained without good effect since 1907, and the. subsequent establishing in the cities of the county of legalized sa- looms for the sale of intoxicants.
 The creating of commission form of government in lieu of the old sys- tenn of mayor and board of aldermen was the most drastic innovation of the year as far as the city of Birming- ham was concerned. The creation Of this body was followed by reduction of municipal expenses and the putting into effect reformations the merits and demerits of which have not as yet been definitely and conclusiyely proved. In the matter of building improvement, Birmingham made great strides and the practical conclusion of the year was signalled by the beginning of the new American Trust and Savings banks 20 story structure
 The most important event in the in- dustrial circles of the state recorded in 1911 was the purchase by the Wood- ward Iron company of the Blrming- ham Coal and Iron company, involving about $11,O00,OO0
 The year witnessed the horrible ex- pIosion of the Banner mine of the Pratt Consolidated Coal and Iron com pany.. in which 12S lives were snuffed out.
 Col. John w. Tomlinson. H. F. De- Bardeleben. r. Y. Anderson. Col. J. W. Bush, James A Going. W. c. Garrett and Capt. w. c. Ward prominent cit- izens of Birmingham, died
 Events for New Year
 As indicated, the greatest event of the new year as far as this state is concerned will be to elect Congress- man Underwood to the presidency of the United States. During the year Alabama will elect for the first time in it's history 10 congressman, the ad- dtional representative to be known until the redistricting of the state as the congressman at large.
 One of the most important political events of the year will be the con ing the abolition of the fee system, which is represented as being a great dra wback to the growth of Jefferson county.
 The year is destined to be po- litical year, for in addition to nn- tional politics, Alabama will be inter- ested in congressional and state elec- tions, while each county will elect cer- tain of it's own officials
 Events of 1912 will be the crystalizn- ton of the sentiment against working the state convicts in coal mines and for their employment in bettering the condition of the public highways of Alabama.
 Before tho conclusion of the year Bir- mingham capital will have constructed a modern hotel of the proportion de- manded by the growth and importance