The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-22
TO MAKE ATTEMPTS
TO FIND SKELETONS
IN WARDS CLOSET
Understood the Turbulent
Times of Former Admin
istration to Be Repeated
CAN A VOTER SIGN
TWO PETITIONS?
Law Quoted on Provision Which Is
Subject of Much Controversy
While Petitions Are Be-
ing Circulated


That in the present municipal campaign
there will be reflection of that turbu-
lent period in the citys history in which
certain ministers threatened Ito dig the
political grave" of George r. Ward, who
was then mayor. Is generally understood
to be imminent.
1t was reported yesterday that a cer-
tain divine of the city would in the inn
mediate future issue card pointing to
Mr. Wards record in regard to prohibition
and charging that he was in great meas
ure responsible for the cleansing of the
city of unsavory resorts and segregating
them in a certain prescribed district.
The indications are that a campaign
against Mr.. Ward will be waged on the
above ground, although, as is remembered,
Mr.. Wards positive stand in what he re-
garded as right against the threat of the
ministers, and his act in aiNng in the
cleansing of the city of resorts scattered
throughout the downtown district, were
generally indorsed at the time in which
those events occurred.
Ward Declines to Comment
Mr. Ward was informed yesterday that
certain action as outlined above will prob
ably be taken today or tomorrow. He de-
clned to comment, although 1t is generally
understood that he is perfectly willing
that his record as mayor be revealed in
it's every particular to the people of Bir-
mingham.
That the municipal campaign would be-
come warmer and warmer as the days go
by was made more positive yesterday
when this and other reports obtained gem
eral circulation. The petitions of candi-
dates which, as stated in The Age-Herald
Sunday morning, We're put in circulation
Saturday, were seen on every hand yester-
day, and the indications are that each of
the candidates will have little trouble in
securing the necessary 800 signatures.
The question as to whether or not one
man can sign the petition of more than
one candidate was a live matter of dis
cusson. 1t is understood generally that
it was the intention of the bill which cre-
ated commission form of government In
Birmingham that no man should sign
more than one petition, for it specifically
states that such must be the case. How
ever the section of the bill dealing with
that question is considered ambiguous, and
1t is practically certain that before the
petitions are filed, j. p. Stiles, probate
Judge, will after seeking the advice OF
| his attorneys issue a statement as to
whether or not he will reject any name
from each petition when it is attached tc
more than one. If he CONSTITUTES the law
as authorizing him to pursue that course
the candidates will probably make theii
assurance doubly sure by obtaining more
than the necessary 500 signatures
How the Section Reads
'"The section in question follows
''Sec. 26. The petitions provided by this
act may be by a number of separate IN
struments as well as by one instrument.
No person but a qualified voter shall sign
any petition provided for by this act. And
no person shall sign the name of another
to any such petition, with or without au-
thority, and no person shall sign more
than one separate instrument as a petit
ton for any single purpose herein pro-
vided Each person signing such petition
shall make affidavit thereon truthfully
stating that he is a qualified voter under
the laws of Alabama; and in said affidavit
shall truthfuly state his age, color, adj
dress, and whether or not he has paid
all of the poll taxes required to be paid
under the laws of Alabama to entitle him
to vote at such time.
amy violation of foregoing provisions
of this section shall constitute a misde-
meanor punishable by fine not TO exceed
$500.
mo qualified voter who has signed any
petition provided for herein can withdraw
his signature. All petitions provided for
herein must bear the certificate of the
Judge of probate of the county in which
such city is situated that it has the num-
ber of signatures required by law of quail
flied voters, and it shall be the duty of
said probate judge to hear and determine
all questions as to the genuineness of Sig
natures and the qualifications of voters
signing such petition before giving such
certificate, and such certificate of the pro-
bate judge shall be final and conclusive.
Should said probate judge decide that
any such petition was not signed by the
required number of qualified voters II
shall be his duty to return said petition
with the written statement of the details
of it's insuffciency to the persons present
ing such petition and such persons shall
have ten days thereafter to have said pc
tition signed as required by law. at the
end of which time they shall again pre-
sent such petition to the probate judge
for re-examination. For his services IN
passing on any such petition the probate
Judge shall receive from the person pre-
senting such petition for his examination
the cost of the clerical work incident
thereto and % per cent of such amount
Security for the payment of such costs
must be given at the time OF the presenta-
tion OF such petition"
Others Mentioned
In the afternoon the speculation wal
| rife as to whether or not DIR. John /,
Parker will enter the field for the presl-
dency of the commission. Late in the day
he was in consultation with some of his
closest friends, and 1t is understood thai
| he will be prepared this Afternoon to issue
| a statement as to his intentions. 1t Ii
| known that DR.. Parker would like to gsi
| in the race, and that he has been urged By
many friends to enter. 1t is also knowr
that he is very seriously considering this
matter.
| 1t is announced that j. B. Drake, the la,
| bor leader, will not be a candidate. It i.
yet considered very uncertain as tc
whether or not NJ. HI. Mcdowell, the Ems
| ley representative. will announce his can
didacy. 1t is generally understood tha
| If he reaches the conclusion that the sub
urbs are willing to center on a candidate
| he will become the candidate of the sub
| urbs
Marriage Licenses
THE following marriage 1irenees xvere is