The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
John B. Bethea Is Chosen
Chairman by Acclamati0n
for the Second Time
THOMAS E. HUEY
NAMED SECRETARY
Committee Decides, to Decline to Ac-
cept Proxies in Future and Again
Provides for Election of Off
GERS From Membership

Contrary to general expectations the
called meeting. of the Jefferson county
democratic executive committee, held yes
terday at the courthouse, passed off
quietly and the former action of the new
committee in electing chairman and Sec
rotary from the body of the committee
was sustained. John B. Bethea was elect
ed chairman by unanimous reclamation
after the name of John R. Copeland had
been Withdrawn. Thomas R. Huey was
elected secretary.
The most important features of the
meeting was the passage of the resolu-
ton providing for the election of the
chairman and secretary from the body of
the committee and that of the resolution
abolishing the representation of members
of the committee by proxy. 1t was ex-
pected that the fight would be on the first
resolution, but no opposition developed
and the resolution was passed without de-
bate by a substantial majority. The sec
ond resolution brought out a caustic dis
cussion, and the charge was made that
steam roller" tactics was being adopted,
and that in the past proxies had been
bought and sold. and that it was the
Quly VI tNtiy iutiiiDti VIII Aiao pCSh SiNNe-
ed to attend in person. The resolution
passed by big majority.
Proxies Not Recognized
There were several citlzens holding
proxies present. and who represented their
credentials but they were not considered,
| and all they got was snow water and
lots OF 1t. The expected fight over the
craftsmanship of the meeting yesterday
did not materialize. AS will be recalled
| the meeting was called by both Judge z.
| &. Nesmltn OF the ola committee anu by
John b. Betnea OF the new committee to
| meet at the same time and place. In
the interest of harmony the Bethea lac
| ton had agreed to the proposition that
| Judge Nesmith preside until the new Of
| ficers were elected. Judge Nesmith was
unavoidably absent from the city so Mr..
Bethea called the meeting to order and
presided until temporary chairman was
| elected. In taking the chair Mr.. Bethea
stated that he had agreed for the COM
mittee to elect a chairman without waiv-
! ing any right to his election of May 10.
but said that he had no personal ambition
| that was not subservient to the welfare,
| peace and harmony of the democratic
| party of jefferson county.
| II don't believe that it Is right he said,
chat l should preside over a meeting in
| which questions involving myself are at
| issue, neither do l believe 1t would be
right for Judge Nesmith to preside were
| he here, for the reason that he Is in
volved. l will therefore entertain mo-
! ton for the selection of temporary
chairman"
The names of John W. Altman and John
| r. Copeland were placed in nomination,
and on the roll being called by John Alb
bott retiring secretary Mr.. Altman was
/ Oh I.ro bai maiOritV. and
with this election the opposition to the
| Bethea faction went ''a-glimmering.' Mr..
| AVant read letter from Judge Nesm1th
| in which he defined his position and cited
number of Instances where the election
| OF chairman had been deferred until
formal call for an election was issued
| by the old chairman. He stated that he
was not a candidate for reelection as
chairman and suggested that John II.
Copeland be elected.
| Altman Appeals for Harmony
| Mr.. Altman in taking the chair, made
an appeal for harmony and expressed
the hope that there would be no split on
the committee and that the deliberations
would be In keeping with the response
bility and dignity of the committee. Ern-
est Matthews was named as temporary
secretary and elected without opposition.
| Chairman Altman asked the roll of the
|
swered present and the chair declared
| quorum present, and that the meeting
was open for business.
C. d. Comstock offered the following
resolution: BE it resolved, by the Jeffer-
son county democratic executive commit
tee that now and hereafter, all officers
J Of the committee be elected from its
members who have been regularly elect
ed to this committee at primary cleo
ton of this committee The resolution
was adopted.
Chairman Altman then declared that
an election of permanent chairman was
| In order. C.. D. Comstock placed the
name of John B. Bethea in nomination
and Cal Dabbs nominated John r. Cope
| land. Before the vote was taken Mr..
| Copeland asked that his name be with
! drawn and expressed mis- admiration for
the manly action of Mr.. Bethea In re-
| submitting his election to the commit
tee and urged his election Mr.. Dabbs
! withdrew the nomination of Mr.. Cope
land and Mr. Bethea was elected by ac-
| clamation. Tom Huey was placed in
nomination for secretary and elected
without opposition
In assuming the chair Mr.. Bethea ex-
pressed his deep appreciation of the high
honor conferred and for the twice ex-