The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-27
MEASURE DIVIDING
|. JEFFERSON COUNTY
!. DEFEATED & ! IN HOUSE
Welsh Bill Gets 81 Votes and
Loses by Narrow Margin.
Result of Ballot a
Surprise
D. HUGH w. RoprRrs

MONTGOMERY. August 26.-(special.)
The Welsh bill, by the narrowest pos
sibIc margin. was beaten in the house
this morning and for the moment Inn
periaI jefferson II preserved. The bill.
however, received 81 votes. But for the
fact that Representative speir. who has
relatives in Bessemer, was paired. and
Representative Brown Of Etowah and
| Representative Davie Of Bibb. changed
their votes, the bill would have been
three-fifths Of all members Of the
house.
The result of the ballot was distinct
surprise The author of the bill, prior
to the test, was certain of victory. Resi-
dents of Bessemer who had been on the
scene for many weeks, were positive that
their plan would be sustained They
claimed. as matter of fact that So
members of the house had pledged them
selves to support the bill
And there is no question but that the
Jefferson county victory is more to be at
tributed to accident or providence than
any other one cause. For had 13 men,
bers who did not vote. voted, 1t Is GER
tain that the advocates of a county of
Pettus in Jones valley would have received
Of that number at least three.
Welsh Criticizes Sessions
The struggle of the ''vivisectionists"
did not pass without the breaking of
ties which for years had bound men
In political and personal friendship.
Mr.. Welsh, author Of the bill, severely
criticized Walter Sessions, one of the
best known Birmingham citizens. be-
cause he had exerted his influence in
an effort to preserve Jefferson county
as the imperial county that It Is Mr..
Welsh declared that Mr. Sessions was
a lobbyist and said other things which
would have forced Mr.. Sessions, had
he been fighting man, to resent the
verbal attack with his natural weap-
ons Mr. Sessions. while admitting as
much to the representative OF The Age
Herald, appeared hurt in that Mr..
Welsh. with whom he had been asso-
ciated In a political sense for many
months. had vigorously expressed
himself because on one point the two
had differed
There is no question but that Mr..
Welsh was deeply incensed In that Mr..
sessions made efforts to prevent the
division of Jefferson county.
II do resent he said subsequently,
men who pose as my friends endeavor-
ing to knife be behind my back. 1t
was my purpose to denouncc Mr.. Ses-
sions from the floor as a lobbyist,
In other respects to criticize him.
That did not carry out the pro-
gramme is due entirely to the fact that
In the excitement OF debate I forgot
that which had planned"
Jefferson's Few Friends
In the debate only representatives of
jefferson county spoke against the bill.
Two Of those representatives-Mr Welsh
and Mr.. Shapiro-inveighed bitterly
against the county, imperial as 1t Is and
urged the house to reduce the subdivision
which had grown. according to them. too
great In wealth and political power. too
selfish and too arrogant.
Mr.. Weakley MIR. Copeland, Mr.. Tar
rant and DR.. Hogan spoke against the
bill and Mr.. Scott aided with his vote
;dr. Brown of Jackson. Mr.. sorrell OF
Tallapoosa and Mr. Rogers Of Sumter
spoke In the interest Of the bill and
(Csatinued 81 PAGE Thsss)