Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-26
AFTER A HARD STRUGGLE
Joint Recess Committee to investigate the State
 University Reports.
IT IS VERY THOROUGH AND SWEEPING
And Makes Recommendations Which Will Require Rough Handling-Election Law Comes Up Thursday
 Notes of Interest.

Montgomery, Ala, Jan. 25.. Especial Staff Correspondence.)- )--The joint recess committee raised for the purpose of in- vestigating the state university, made an exhaustive report to the general assem- bly this morning through their chairman, Col B. L. Hubbard. The report proves the investigation to have been thorough and the committee cognizant of the seri- ous duty imposed upon them. Their com plaints are outspoken and their recom- mendations numerous. That Is the way Col. Hubbard believes In making investi- gations and the other members of his committee were in accord.
 Among other things the committee complains that $190,000 of university funds have been expended by member of the board of trustees who was not un- der bond and who holds not single voucher for such expenditures. They complain that the law provides that the land commissioner of the institution shall not be a member of the board of trus- tees, and that Col. Willis G. Clarke, pres ident of the board, is the land commis- sioner The law also provides that such commissioner shall have his office at the university and Col Clarke's office, if there is commissioners office, Is in the city of Mobile The reports that infideli- ty and skepticism is prevalent among the faculty was declared to be unfounded and nearly all the members are consls- tent members of orthodox denominauo churches They recommend that in most of the departments one chair will answer the present purpose of two and thereby save the state $57,000 annually. Aboli- ton of the military feature is recom- mended, and especially does the commit tee recommend restoration of the univer- sity funds misappropriated by the state: The great length of the report required that it be printed and distributed among the members, and motion to that end prevailed.
 ANTI-POOL BILL.
 The anti-pool bill which passed the sen ate on Saturday, came to the house today on first reading, and by request or MT Lipscomb the speaker referred the Dill to the revision of laws committed. MT. Wiley then moved that the bill be com- mitted to the judiciary.
 MT. Lipscomb, of Jefferson, moved that MT. Wiley's motion be laid on the table and the clash came. There was heavy lobby on hand, representing both the pas sage and opposition to the measure. Cam eron, of Sumter, explained his vote by saying he had intended to vote to com init the bill to the judiciary, but since seeing in the lobby faces of some of the prominent pool room proprietors of the state, he would have his vote recorded in favor of tablng the motion. When the issue came to a vote Lipscomb's mo- tion prevailed by a majority of one and the bill will probably come up for pas sage by Wednesday.
 This Legislature Is unequivocally ap- posed to the prevalent spirit of specula- tion and the bill will become law unless some unforeseen circumstance arises.
 ELECTION LAW BILL.
 The bill by MT. Davis, of Marion coun- ty. providing that the Sayre election law be repealed and the code of 1886 be re-enacted came up today and on motion of Hon. Daniel Greene was made a spe- cial order for next Thursday at Il o'clock.
 BILLS INTRODUCED.
 The following bills were introduced:
 H. SIP, by MT Graves-To prevent the exploding or discharging of guns or com mon firecrackers in any public place. Revision of laws.
 H. S73 Also-To require merchants to provide seats for female clerks Revision of laws.
 H. STA, by MT. Lloyd-To amend section 1 of an act entitled an act to regulate the floating of logs, timber and lumber upon the rivers, creeks or other streams of this state, and provide penalty for ob- Structtng such streams, approved Feb- ruary 2S. 1887. Public roads and high ways.
 H. 875, by MT Shamblin--To provide for the payment of claims against the fine and forfeiture fund of Cherokee county. Claims and fees.
 H. 876, Also-To regulate the amount of fees to be received by witnesses at- tending the circuit court in criminal case, or before the grand jury, so far as the same relates to the county of Chero- kee, and regulate the payment of such fees. Claims and fees.
 H. 877, by MT. Hearn-For the relief of W. H. Edwards and Tony Horn, of Choctaw county. Judiciary.
 H. SIS, Also-To establish branch agricultural experiment station and agri- cultural school in Choctaw county for negroes. Agriculture.
 H. 879, by MT. Filand-To require the Commissioners court of Crenshaw coun- ty to draw their warrant on the treas urer of said county in favor of John M. Walker, the registrar of said county, as herewith specified. Ways and means.
 H. $50, By MT. Brown, of Colbert-To in- corporate the Muscle Shoals Power com pany. Corporations.
 H. SS1, By MT. Brown, of Colbert-To provide for the more effectual joinder of causes of action founded upon contracts Judiciary.
 H. 8S2, By MT. Brown, of Colbert-To establish separate school district to be known as the Mount Pleasant school dis trict in Colbert county, Alabama. Edu- cation.
 H. Ss3, By MT. Brown, of Colbert-To regulate the collection of the pull tax in the Tuscumbia school district of Col~ bert county. Ways and Means.
 H. SS4, By MT. Burns-For the relief of Reuben w. Little. Local legislation.
 H. SS5. By Mr. Frankln-To reduce and fix the commissions of the tax assessor of DeKalb county, so far as relates to the county tax Ways and Means.
 H. SS6, By MT. Frankin-To reduce and fix the commissions of the tax collector of DeKalb county. Ways and Means
 H. SS7, By MT. Beeson-To authorize the levy and collection of a tax upon property within the city of Gadsden; Ala, or that may be lawfully taxable therein for the maintenance of the public schools of said city. Education,
 W H. SS8 By MT Gast--To provide for the. payment of witnesses summonded before