Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-09

ate this morning was house bill S45, which, on motion of Senator Sayre, was substituted for senate bill 334 to the very same effect. in order to save time. This bill requires all fire insurance companies doing business in the city of Montgomery to pay annually $200 each to a fund for the benefit of the fire companies of Mont gomery and provides a penalty for re- fusal to pay the same. Before the vaca- ton the bill was amended so as not to interfere with any claims now pending in behalf of the fire companies under the old law. This bill Tow has only to be signed by the governor to become a law.
 The bill to incorporte the Independent Fire Company No. 1. of Highland Park, Ala, suburb of Montgomery, was also passed. It was introduced by Represen- tative Hill, and has already passed the house.
 Another bill of much interest and inn portance to Montgomerians was passed by the senate this morning, to recognize the charter of the City Infirmary and to enlarge its powers.
 The governor vetoed the Anniston bill to allow that city to issue more bonds, and gave his reasons therefor in a mes sage to the senate which reads as follows:
 Montgomery, Ala, Feb. 8, 1897. To the Senate:
 It is with much reluctance that I re- turn without my approval senate bill No 265, amending the charter of the city of Anniston, because 1t has had the ap- provai of the distinguished gentlemen who represent the county in the general assembly. f
 Under an act approved Dec. 12, 1892, the city of Anniston was authorized to issue $55,000 of bonds to pay it's float ing debt and equip its public schools. This act expressly authorized the city authorities n a of I0h bonds receivable for taxes and licenses due to said city
 1t is not denied that under the provis- ions of this act bonds were issued and sold with this contract expressed on the face of the coupons and it can hardly be questioned that this contract right to use the coupons in paying taxes and licenses to the city of Anniston gave in- creased value to the bonds. Such must have been the intention of the city au- thorities or they would not have vol untarily caused such provisions to be enacted into law or inserted in the cou- pons.
 The third section of the bill I return to you provides that from and after the passage of the act all fines, licenses and taxes etc., payable to the city of An niston shall be payable alone in lawful money of the United States and pro- h1bits the city authorities from passing any ordinance permitting payment in anything except lawful money of the united States. This provision denies to the holders of the coupons referred to the right given them on the face of their coupons.
 The constitution of our state forbids the passage of any law that impairs the obligation of contracts by destroying or 1mpair1ng the remedy, and I am con- strained by this provision of our consti- tuition from giving my assent to the bill herewith returned
 Whilst l am sure that there is no in- tention on the part of the city authori- ties of Anniston to evade any just obli- gation, do not think we can be too care ful in having it fully understood that the state of Alabama will under no cir cumstances, evade impair or destroy any contract right entered into under the sanction of its laws
 JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON,
 Governor.
 The afternoon session of the senate was devoted to the consideration of MT. Stan sePs house bill, Mo- 135, which seeks to authorize certain corporations to become sureties on the bonds of state. county and municipal officers, receivers and oth- CTS. No debate developed that there was conflict of interests between foreign and prospective home bond-making con crns. The bill was amended so as to require all foreign and home companies to deposit $50,000 with the state auditor as guarantee to their Alabama policy holders. With this and several other amendments of no general interest the bill was passed.