The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-19


without the least warning. the city
commissioners Yesterday adopted
resolution on a majority vote by which
the will of the people is to be reg
istered in regard to the proposed mu-
nicipal bond issue of not to exceed
100000 for a public auditorium.
While the matter might be consid-
cred rather unusual in the way of bond
issues. it is claimed to be merely an
elaboration of the principles of the
commission form of government.
It's sort of a referendum before
there is anything to "referend.'
The resolution was introduced by
President Exum and adopted by the
votes of Mr. Exum and Mr.. Weatherly.
Judge Lane voted no and each of the
three commissioners "offered an ex-
PLANTATION of their vote. The resolu-
tion provides that at the regular cleo
tion of a commissioner to succeed Mr..
Exum September Is the voters shall
at the same time declare their will
as to whether or not the city shall
call and hold a regular bond election"
In other words. the commissioners
state, II Is All tAdlllpic VI ilON toiiiillS-
sion form of government is a govern
ment by and for the people.
Precedent Cited
1t was pointed out that although
probably a bond issue was never ap-
preached before in similar manner,
yet the move is not new. And one of the
examples cited is the one when Cul-
years ago. At that time the voters
expressed their win as to whether or
not they favored commission form of
government, although their vote for or
against 1t did not adopt or reject COM
mission form of government
The whole scheme is merely feel
err to find out the VIII of the voters
on a subject. 1t relieves the city Of
ficials of all responsibility, no matter
what should be the result of the cleo
tlon. If the commission had voted for
a bond issue and then submitted the
matter to the voters there would have
been serious responsibility incurred
by the officials.
Judge Lane was very strongly op-
posed to the move; President Exum
stated that he favored it and would
vote for the bond issue and Commits
sioner Weatherly stated he favored It
and might vote against the bond issue
when election time came. 1t was point
ed out that there was not a penny of
expense involved. that an election is
to be held anyhow and the placing of
the auditorium question upon the bal
lot will not add any expense to the
regular election machinery that will
have to be had Therefore, there was
nothing to be lost and the whole thing
was but means of securing a reliable
index of the will of the citizens on
the matter at issue.
Commissioners Explain Vote
In casting his vote for the resolution,
Mr.. Weatherly said: II am going to
vote for this resolution. but l may vote
against the bond election at the cleo
tion. This resolution simply gives the
people right to express their opinion
and will be of no cost. l am always
willing to get the opinion of the voters
on any question and this it seems to
me is sure and fair way of allowing
them to have their way. / have not
made up my mind fully on the real issue,
the matter of a municipal bond issue for
an auditorium, and, as I say. may vote
against that, which, as a matter of fact.
is not involved in the adoption of this
resolution. one way or the other
L had not intended to make a state
ment,' said Judge Lane, and as matter
OF fact Judge Lane seldom does max
statement in meeting in explanation.
OF his vote, but we are put here to con-
slider the financial position of the city
II we haven't done 1t, we ought to. And
believe this will be serious obstacle
in the future issuance of bonds by the
city,
II had not Intended to make a state
ment, either said Mr.. Exum. but
vote for II and will endeavor to secure
favorable action upon it by the people
have no hesitancy in saying that | will
vote for the bond election This bond
issue has been asked for by the Cham
ber of Commerce, an organization ma de
up of able and judicious men who have
the civic welfare of the city at heart
have great confidence In those gentle
men and would grant this bond election
on those grounds l don't agree with
Judge Lane that it will be a serious OBJ
stacle in the future or that 1t will cost
the city anything to secure the will OF
the voters. If the bond election is voted
for, the bonds themselves will be taken