Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-11

tion is delicate one and opposition of some to another constitution will be in- spired by desire to retain the present low tax rate, yet believe every right thinking person will be willing to pay his part of what may be necessary to maintain his city according to the posi- tion and station which he wishes her to occupy just as cheerfully as he makes his family expenses conform to his standing in society. We have happy illustration of this in this city. At the last session of the general assembly, an act was passed by which the county collector ex- acts special tax from property owners of the city for the benefit of the public schools I do not say 1t is or it is not unconstitutional but many attorneys be- lieye it is invalid and have so advised their clients some of them being our largest corporations, and yet no one has contested the law. All are acquiescing in it from motives which do them credit as citizens and lovers of Birmingham The constitution also provides that mo power to levy taxes shall be delegated to individuals or private corporations This was held in Schultz vs. Eberly 82 Ala. PAP, to deny to the legislature the power to vest in school districts the right of local taxation for school purposes, which would seem to be essential to the maintenance of thorough common school system
 Several years ago the Commercial club of Birmingham sought to secure encour- agement to cotton manufacturing by ad- vocating law to exempt for a period such capital as might be invested in it. additionally done, and while so1le thought otherwise the former view pse- vailed, and nothing along this line could be accomplished. Other states are offer ing such inducements, and if we cannot compete with them in the effort to ad vance cur material interest, such changes as are necessary should be made to ena- ble us to, do so.
 Suffrage and Elections.
 This is a question bordering on politics, and I am admonshed by rule adopted here today, that political discussions must not be indulged. In what I say I shall not offend any partisan or member of any political party. Every one knows that we have conditions in the south, and in Ala abama, which call for wisdom and special consideration when qualifications for suffrage are to be fixed. By the con- stitution of 1875, no educa tional or prop erty qualification shall be made by law, and every male citizen of the United States and every male citizen of foreign birth who has declared his intention to become a citizen, of the age of 21 years or upwards, who has resided here short space prescribed, can vote, unless he be an idiot or insane person, or has been convicted of treason or felony. That tucSe TeSlIlCtlOIS De UdfIOWSu hardly admits of question. Six years ago Mississippi solved the problem, under conditions very similar to those existing here. South Carolina has recently done so, and we can take counsel from their experience.
 Conclusion.
 It is admitted by all that our present constitution is imperfect in many partcu- lars and that it should be improved but 1t has been urged in many quarters and by some high in authority that this should be done, not by calling conven- ton to frame an entirely new instrument, but by amending the one we already have. Our experience in this line has not been very promising nor satisfactory. The constitution can be amended only in the manner it points out that is to say, the general assembly by vote of two- thirds of each house may propose amend ments and these must be ratified by vote of a ma jority of the electors voting at the next general election held for rep resentatives. It is not enough that such amendments receive the approval of majority of the persons who vote upon them, but 1t must affirmatively appear that majority of the electors voting at the election express approval by casting a vote in their favor. It will be remem- bered that a few years ago an amendment was submitted allowing the city of iBr- mingham to increase it's tax rate and it failed of passage because it could not pro- cure the necessary majority Persons living in other parts of the state, having no interest in the matter, for the most part, voted neither way upon he amend ment, and thereby it was defeated. The school tax amendment which was sub mitted not very long ago met the same fate; so we have, therefore, every reason to believe that if we are to have any sub- stantial improvement, if we are to have any material change, it will be necessary to call a convention which will give us new constitution, symmetrical and har- monious throughout, in keeping with the needs of the times. I submit that this would be preferable to a patchwork af- fair, such as would result from seeking merely to amend the present constitution.
 The constitution of 1875 is twenty-one years old. It has reached its majority. Let us reassemble the peoples represen- tatives and provide ourselves with con- stitution under which Alabama can move forward to her true position in the sister, hood of states.
 Mems underwear Monday