Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-04
Two Important Measures Offered
 in the House.
KNIGHTS UsURPATI0N BILL
And the John Resolution as to the KoIb FiaSco--Bills
 Acted Upon.


 measures Of much more than ordinary in- terest at this time were introduced into the house today. The one is bill by MT. Knight of Hale to make a usurper of the duties of any officer of this state and any one who aids and abets him guilty of felony and prescribing the punishment for such violation. The other is a resolution by MT. John that the committee on privi- leges and elections be required to ascertain who, if any, of the members participated in the alleged inauguration of Captain Kolh and report the same to the house.
 Mr. Knights bill reads as follows:
 "sTo prevent any attempt at usurpation of public office.
 "Section l. Be it enacted That it shall not be lawful for any person to take the oath of office for the discharge of tue duties of any public office created by the laws of this state or to take upon himself to act for the incumbent, or to require or request any person or persons to aid or assist him in any matter pertaining to the duties of such office, or make any public or private address or communication, or call upon the public or any body or association or organization of people or upon any invidual or individuals to aid him in assuming any of the authority or powers of such public office unless he shall first have been declared elected thereto by the body or authority to ascer- tain decide and declare the result of an election to such office, if it be elective, or unless he shall have been declared entitled to such office and to assume and discharge the powers and duties thereof, by some court of competent jurisdiction In the premises
 Section simply involves those who are offenders under section 1, and makes them as guilty as the principals.
 Section continues: "Be it further enacted, That whoever shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be fined not less than $500 or more than S10, GOO and shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary of the state for not more than twenty live years.'
 The following is Colonel John's resolu- tion:
 Resolved, That the committee on privi- leges and elections be and they are hereby instructed to inquire which, il any, mem bers of this house participated in or were in any way parties to the illegal and revo- lutionary attempt to inaugurate or induct into the office of governor a person who was not declared by the general assembly of Alabama to be legally elected thereto.
 The resolution was referred to the com mittee on rules.
 The following new bills were introduced into the house and referred to the proper committees:
 House bill 457, by Mir. Hearn-For the better protection of cotton producers and information for the people at large.
 House bill 45S, by Mir. Knight-To pre- vent any attempt at usurpation of public office.
 House bill 459, by MT. Eanks-Author- izing the abstracts of the burnt records of Franklin county to be used in evidence where the original instrument is destroyed.
 House bill 460, by MT. Rand-To change the boundary lines of the counties of Col bert Franklin and LOWQdeS.
 House bill 461, by MT. Williams of Henry To amend the charter of the town of Headland.
 House bill 462, by MT. John-To pro- vide for holding circuit and chancsry courts when the judges or chancellors thereof fail to attend regular terms by su- pernumerary judges, and to prescribe their duties, powers and pay.
 House bill 463, by MT. Kennedy-To amend an act to amend section Al of the code, as to tag tax on fertilizers.
 House bill 464, by MT. Whitten-To pro- hibit the purchase, sale, barter or exchange of any personal property covered by lien or to which another has a claim by per son having knowledge of the existence thereof, without first obtaining the con- sent of the holder of such lien or claim to such purchase, sale, barter or exchange.
 House bill 465, by Mir. Davis-To amend the section of the code prescribing the time for holding state and county elections.
  hibit the sale of liquor in precinct No. 10, in Morgan county, except in the town of Hartselle.
 House bill 467, ty MT. Forman-To in- corporate Spring Lake college, in St. Clair county.
 House bill 46s, by MT. McQueen-To in- crease the number of majors in the regi- ments of the state troops to three.
 House bill 469, by MT. McQueen-To o allow county commissioners in each county Hfoio ory rent for military companies located in their respective counties.
 House bill 470, by MT. McQueen-To make an appropriation for the expense of encampment of the Alabama state troops for the years 1895 and 1896.
 House bill All, by Mir. McQueen-To authorize the surgeon of each regiment of state troops to purchase necessary band ages, medicine, etc., for the troops while in active service.
 amend section 170 of the code, relative to the regulation uniform of the state troops.
 House bill 473, by MT. McQueen-To amend section of an act entitled "an act to incorporate the Black Warrior Coal, i, Iron, Stesl and Navigation company, ," approved December 12, 1892.
 BILLS DISPOSED OF.
 The following bills were taken from the calendar and disposed of:
 houSe Olll ifl-lo prOuiuit tue belIlDR, giving away or disposing of spirituous, {, vinous or malt liquors, or of alcoholic bit- ters, cordials or beverages of any kind in St. Clair county. Passed.
 House bill 174-To prohibit the sale, giving away or otherwise disposing of spirituous, vinous or malt liquors, or in- toxicating bitters or beverages within the limits of Cleveland school district. Passed. i.
 House bill 171-Proposing amendment to section 2 of article of the constitution of the state of Alabama. Calling for an amendment of the constitution reducing the required size of counties from 800 to 400 square miles.) Passed.
 Senate bill 9-To authorize the board of revenue of Montgomery county to issue bonds of said county for an amount not exceeding $500 ,000 for the purpose of builds ing and improving the public roads of the county upon permanent and well consid. cred system and for erecting bridges in said county. Passed.
 House bill 162-To amend subdivision 4 of section 453 of the code, requiring mer- chants to give in honest valuations for taxes and the assessors to assess their properties equitably. Passed.
 Senate bill S-To establish a new city