Birmingham City Commission: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Birmingham City Commission.jpg|right|thumb|450px|The Birmingham City Commission, c. 1950–1953 {{BPL permission caption|https://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll6/id/2410}}]]
The '''Birmingham City Commission''' (or '''Birmingham Board of Commissioners''') was the form of Birmingham's government from [[1911]] to [[1963]]. The city moved from a Mayor-[[Birmingham Aldermen|Aldermen]] system to a three-member commission at the time that [[Greater Birmingham]] was annexed into the City. The idea was that the municipal government should be run less like a small town and more like a business enterprise. The proposal was overwhelmingly favored by voters in a [[1910 Birmingham mayoral election|1910 referendum]], and was initiated by a new [[1911 Birmingham City Commission election|City Commission election]] in [[1911]]
The '''Birmingham City Commission''' (or '''Birmingham Board of Commissioners''') was the form of Birmingham's government from [[1911]] to [[1963]]. The city moved from a Mayor-[[Birmingham Aldermen|Aldermen]] system to a three-member commission at the time that [[Greater Birmingham]] was annexed into the City. The idea was that the municipal government should be run less like a small town and more like a business enterprise. The proposal was overwhelmingly favored by voters in a [[1910 Birmingham mayoral election|1910 referendum]], and was initiated by a new [[1911 Birmingham City Commission election|City Commission election]] in [[1911]]


Presidents of the Commission, beginning with [[Culpepper Exum]], who inherited the role as the sitting Mayor, are listed at [[Mayor of Birmingham]]. LIke previous administrations, the commissions were initially elected to a two-year term. Beginning in [[1917]] the term was extended to four years to provide for more continuity. Between [[1915]] and [[1923]] the board was expanded to five commissioners.
The first commission was appointed by [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[B. B. Comer]]. [[Culpepper Exum]], who had just been elected [[Mayor of Birmingham|Mayor]] under the former system, was appointed president, a position that functioned as Mayor for all intents and purposes, with the term often used interchangeably with Commission President. Like previous administrations, the commissioners were to serve two-year terms, with the first election to be held in [[1913 Birmingham municipal election|1913]]. Beginning in [[1917]] the term was extended to four years to provide for more continuity. Between [[1915]] and [[1923]] the board was expanded to five commissioners.


This listing includes the full commission for the years 1911 to 1963, when the present [[Mayor-Council Act]] was passed, providing for a nine-member [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]].
This listing includes the full commission for the years 1911 to 1963, when residents voted to adopt the [[Mayor-Council Act of 1955]] as Birmingham's form of government, providing for a Mayor and nine-member [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]] to be elected at-large.


==Commissions==
==Commissions==


===1911-13===
===1911-1913===
* [[Culpepper Exum]], Commission President
* [[Culpepper Exum]], Commission President
* [[A. O. Lane]],
* [[James Weatherly]]
* [[James Weatherly]]
* [[George Ward]]
<gallery>
* [[Arlie Barber]]
Image:Culpepper Exum.png|[[Culpepper Exum]]
* [[John Hornady]]
Image:A O Lane.jpg|[[A. O. Lane]]
* [[John Truss]]
Image:James Weatherly.jpg|[[James Weatherly]]
</gallery>


===1913-15===
===1913-1915===
* [[George Ward]], Commission President
* [[George Ward]], Commission President
* [[John Taylor]]
* [[A. O. Lane]]
* [[J. Ellis Brown]]
* [[James Weatherly]]
* [[Henry Burrus]]
<gallery>
* [[John Hornady]]
Image:George Ward 1920.jpg|[[George Ward]]
Image:A O Lane.jpg|[[A. O. Lane]]
Image:James Weatherly.jpg|[[James Weatherly]]
</gallery>


===1915-17===
===1915-1917===
Associate commissioners added, increasing size of board to five
Associate commissioners added, increasing size of board to five
* [[George Ward]], Commission President
* [[George Ward]], Commission President
* [[Arlie Barber]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Arlie Barber]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[John Hornady]], Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[John Hornady]], Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[J. D. Truss]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[James D. Truss]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[James Weatherly]], Commissioner of Public Property and Utilities
* [[James Weatherly]], Commissioner of Public Property and Utilities
<gallery>
Image:George Ward 1920.jpg|[[George Ward]]
Image:John Hornady.png|[[John Hornady]]
Image:James Weatherly.jpg|[[James Weatherly]]
</gallery>


===1917-21===
===1917-1921===
Term extended to four years ([[November 6]], [[1917]]&ndash;[[November 7]], [[1921]])
The commission's term was extended to four years ([[November 6]], [[1917]]-[[November 7]], [[1921]])
* [[Nathaniel A. Barrett]], Commission President
* [[Nathaniel A. Barrett]], Commission President
* [[J. Ellis Brown]], Commissioner of Public Utilities
* [[Ellis Brown|John Ellis Brown]], Commissioner of Public Utilities
* [[Henry Burrus]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[Henry Burrus]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[John Hornady]], Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[John Hornady]], vice president, Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[John H. Taylor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[John H. Taylor]], Commissioner of Public Safety


===1921-25===
The new board of commissioners was sworn in at a joint meeting with the former board, with both the outgoing and incoming members giving short speeches.
<gallery>
Image:Nathaniel Barrett.jpg|[[Nathaniel Barrett]]
Image:John Hornady.png|[[John Hornady]]
File:John Taylor.jpg|[[John Taylor]]
</gallery>
 
===1921-1925===
Served November 7, 1921&ndash;[[1925]]. Associate commissioners dismissed after law passed on [[August 15]], [[1923]].
Served November 7, 1921&ndash;[[1925]]. Associate commissioners dismissed after law passed on [[August 15]], [[1923]].
* [[David McLendon]], Commission President
* [[David McLendon]], Commission President
* [[William Cloe]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[William Cloe]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[William Dickson]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[William Dickson]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[Mary Echols]], Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[Mary Echols]], Associate Commissioner of Health and Education
* [[William Harrison]], Commissioner of Public Utilities
* [[William Harrison]], Associate Commissioner of Public Utilities
<gallery>
Image:David McLendon.jpg|[[David McLendon]]
Image:Mary Echols.png|[[Mary Echols]]
</gallery>


===1925-29===
===1925-1929===
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President
* [[William Dickson]]
* [[John H. Taylor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[John H. Taylor]]
* [[William Dickson]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:Jimmie Jones.jpg|[[Jimmie Jones]]
File:John Taylor.jpg|[[John Taylor]]
</gallery>


===1929-33===
===1929-1933===
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President
* [[William Dickson]]
* [[William Dickson]]
* [[John H. Taylor]]
* [[John H. Taylor]]
<gallery>
Image:Jimmie Jones.jpg|[[Jimmie Jones]]
File:John Taylor.jpg|[[John Taylor]]
</gallery>


===1933-37===
===1933-1937===
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President, Commissioner of Finance and General Administration
* [[W. O. Downs]]
* [[Lewey Robinson]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
* [[Lewey Robinson]]
* [[William Downs|William O. Downs]], Commissioner of Public Safety, Health and Education
<gallery>
Image:Jimmie Jones.jpg|[[Jimmie Jones]]
</gallery>


===1937-41===
===1937-1941===
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President (unexpired term filled by [[Cooper Green]] at his death in [[1940]])
* [[Jimmie Jones]], Commission President (unexpired term filled by [[Cooper Green]] at his death in [[1940]])
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jimmy Morgan]]
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:Jimmie Jones.jpg|[[Jimmie Jones]]
Image:Bull Connor 1937.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
</gallery>


===1941-45===
===1941-1945===
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jimmy Morgan]]
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:Cooper Green.jpg|[[Cooper Green]]
Image:Bull Connor 1937.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
</gallery>


===1945-49===
===1945-1949===
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jimmy Morgan]]
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:Cooper Green.jpg|[[Cooper Green]]
Image:Bull Connor 1937.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
</gallery>


===1949-53===
 
===1949-1953===
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Cooper Green]], Commission President
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jimmy Morgan]]
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:Cooper Green.jpg|[[Cooper Green]]
Image:Bull Connor 1937.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
</gallery>


===1953-57===
===1953-1957===
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commission President
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commission President
* [[Robert Lindbergh]]
* [[Robert Lindbergh]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Wade Bradley]] (resigned, term completed by [[Jabo Waggoner]])
* [[Wade Bradley]], Commissioner of Public Improvements (resigned in [[1956]], term completed by [[J. T. Waggoner Sr]])
<gallery>
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
Image:Bull Connor portrait.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
File:J T Waggoner.jpg|[[J. T. Waggoner]]
</gallery>


===1957-61===
===1957-1961===
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commission President
* [[Jimmy Morgan]], Commission President
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jabo Waggoner]]
* [[J. T. Waggoner Sr]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:1961 Bham City Commission.jpg|1961 City Commission (L-R: Waggoner, Morgan, Connor)
Image:Jimmy Morgan.jpg|[[Jimmy Morgan]]
Image:Bull Connor portrait.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
File:J T Waggoner.jpg|[[J. T. Waggoner]]
</gallery>


===1961-63===
===1961-1963===
* [[Art Hanes]], Commission President
* [[Art Hanes]], Commission President
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Bull Connor]], Commissioner of Public Safety
* [[Jabo Waggoner]]
* [[J. T. Waggoner Sr]], Commissioner of Public Improvements
<gallery>
Image:1962 Bham City Commission.jpg|1961 City Commission (L-R: Connor, Waggoner, Hanes)
Image:Art Hanes 1963.jpg|[[Art Hanes]]
Image:Bull Connor portrait.jpg|[[Bull Connor]]
File:J T Waggoner.jpg|[[J. T. Waggoner]]
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
* "Culpepper Exum, Birmingham's First Commission Mayor" (October 23, 1910) ''The Atlanta Constitution''
* "[http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.$b22905 An Act of the Legislature of Alabama Creating a Commission Form of Government with Five Commissioners Under Which the City of Birmingham is Now Organized]" (September 25, 1915) - via the University of California
* Vick, Mary-Helen (1965) ''A Survey of the Governing Body of Birmingham, Alabama, 1910-1964''. Master's thesis. Alabama College
* Vick, Mary-Helen (1965) ''A Survey of the Governing Body of Birmingham, Alabama, 1910-1964''. Master's thesis. Alabama College
* {{Norton-1970}}
* {{Norton-1970}}
Line 107: Line 180:
   after=[[Birmingham City Council]]
   after=[[Birmingham City Council]]
}}
}}


[[Category:Birmingham City Commission]]
[[Category:Birmingham City Commission]]
[[Category:1911 establishments]]
[[Category:1963 disestablishments]]

Latest revision as of 13:11, 14 January 2024

The Birmingham City Commission, c. 1950–1953 courtesy BPL Archives

The Birmingham City Commission (or Birmingham Board of Commissioners) was the form of Birmingham's government from 1911 to 1963. The city moved from a Mayor-Aldermen system to a three-member commission at the time that Greater Birmingham was annexed into the City. The idea was that the municipal government should be run less like a small town and more like a business enterprise. The proposal was overwhelmingly favored by voters in a 1910 referendum, and was initiated by a new City Commission election in 1911

The first commission was appointed by Governor B. B. Comer. Culpepper Exum, who had just been elected Mayor under the former system, was appointed president, a position that functioned as Mayor for all intents and purposes, with the term often used interchangeably with Commission President. Like previous administrations, the commissioners were to serve two-year terms, with the first election to be held in 1913. Beginning in 1917 the term was extended to four years to provide for more continuity. Between 1915 and 1923 the board was expanded to five commissioners.

This listing includes the full commission for the years 1911 to 1963, when residents voted to adopt the Mayor-Council Act of 1955 as Birmingham's form of government, providing for a Mayor and nine-member City Council to be elected at-large.

Commissions

1911-1913

1913-1915

1915-1917

Associate commissioners added, increasing size of board to five

1917-1921

The commission's term was extended to four years (November 6, 1917-November 7, 1921)

The new board of commissioners was sworn in at a joint meeting with the former board, with both the outgoing and incoming members giving short speeches.

1921-1925

Served November 7, 1921–1925. Associate commissioners dismissed after law passed on August 15, 1923.

1925-1929

1929-1933

1933-1937

1937-1941

1941-1945

1945-1949


1949-1953

1953-1957

1957-1961

1961-1963

References


Preceded by:
Birmingham Board of Aldermen 		Legislative Body for the City of Birmingham
1911 - 1963 		Succeeded by:
Birmingham City Council
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