The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-22
GUNTER V|CT D Ry
IN CITY ELECTION
IS OVERWHELMING
Opposition Ticket Carries On
Iy One Ward In
Montgomery
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU J
THE AGE-HERALD
Montgomery, Ala, May 81 J

Mayor w. A. Gunter, Jr., was re-
elected president of the Montgomery
city commission by majority OF
1,240 in the city election today. He
received 1920 votes to 1880 fol-
Lawrence H. Lee. his only opponent.
w. j. Drum ana James H Hard
away, incumbent city commissioners
were reelected by practically the
same majorities over c. l.. Patterson
and J. Johnson Moore, who ran on the
ticket with Mr.. Lee Mr.. Drum re-
ceived 1897 votes and Mr.. Hardaway
3,161, compared with 1896 for Mr.
Moore and 1885 for Mr.. Patterson.
The opposition ticket carried only
one ward in the city.
The commission will be inaugu-
rated for term of four years, Oct
Der l.
Mayor Gunter issued the following
statement following announcement of
the result:
The result of the election is just
what we anticipated. We had full
confidence that the conservative citi-
zens of Montgomery would not be
misled by false statements and pre-
tensions. They know that we have
always tried to give them a good,
clean administration. I was glad to
see the election go through quietly.
but was surprised to see the opposi-
ton challenge SO many good citizens
in their right to vote. We have not
requested any of our friends to chal-
lenge votes at the polls and citizens
who have been Inconvenience in this
way have not suffered from our sup
porters."
Is Third Election.
When Mayor Gunter is inaugurate6
again he will start his third term as
holder of the city government. He
was elected in 1910 and when the
aldermanic system was abolished il
1911 he was appointed head of the
1915 prohibited a mayor from sue
ceeding himself and Mayor Guntel
was retired for four years.
In 1919 the legislature repealed the
lnhibitory section and Mayor Guntel
was elected for.a four-year term.
Wholesale challenging of votes b,
opponents of the present aJministra
ton featured the election. The force.
of Lee, Patterson and Moore had pre-
pared their own poll lists and wher
a persons name did not appear or
the record for that ward in which h,
sought to vote he was challenged
The charge had been made tina
persons had moved from one ware
to another without having the regis
tration list corrected.
A great majority of thoAe chal
lenged made affidavits that the,
were qualified voters in Montgom
edy and were permitted to vot,
challenged" ballots.
When the challenging became gen.
eral at all wards. Mayor Gunter is
sued statement in which he sale
he and associates were not making
any challenges and were willing fol
all persons acceptable to the election
officials to cast their ballots.
Little interest was manifested il
the election until last week. Boil
factions held rallies during the clos
ing days of the campaign and the,
created additional interest.
Grand Jury To Act.
Juge Leon McCord told the CRANE
jury today that it should call befor,
1T all persons who have mad,
charges of law violations during tn,
city campaign and bring Indictment
against all individuals against whom
sufficient evidence is submitted.
Opponents of the city administra
ton charged that blind tigers wer,
permitted to operate without grea
hindrance and that other laws wer,
violated in Montgomery. Mayor w
A. Gunter. during the campaign, an
nounced that those who made tn,
charges would be called before tn,
grand jury and required to submit
evidence. Judge McCord requested
the grand jury not to let prejudict
interfere with it's Investigations.
THE only way the fair name o
Montgomery and Montgomery county
can be upheld before the eyes O
the state is for fearless grand jurie!
to execute their duties, without theii
actions being prompted by resent
ment of friendliness," said Judg,
McCord.
BootleggNrs and carriers of con
cealed weapons also were condo mnet
by Judge McCord, who urged tn,
grand jury to give particular atten
ton to these forms of law violations
He said a bootlegger is not abov,
committing any crime and that Z
person who carries a pistol concealed
about him has murder in his heart.
Carl B. Cooper. of Montgomery, wal
appointed foreman of the grand jury