Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-02

section which declares the power also
declares that the decision of the COM
missioners shall be sufficient evidence of
the fact, that the rates fixed are just and
reasonable. and from their decision there
is no appeal.
The terms of this act amount in effect
to the appointment of permanent receiv
ers of all the railroad properties In the
state without the slightest recourse pro-
vided In the act to the owners of the
properties affected against injustice or
unscrupulous conduct on the part of
such receivers. If the property of an in
dividual or corporation is by the strong
arm of the court, taken from it's GUS
tody and placed in the control of an off,
Ger of the court, the owner is at Least
permitted to complain to the court of
the improper exercise of power confer
red, but the railroad interests of the
state under the provisions of this act
are not left even that recourse, and un-
less submission is made to the arbitrary
rulings of the commission, they are to
be mulcted or fined $1,000 for each Of
fensei From this 1t is not difficult to
see that new capital will not seek in
vestment in new railroad property IN this
state, and that which Is already invested
by the enactment of the law vial receive
blow which will greatly impair Its
market value, together with the value of
such securities as may have been issued
and negotiated upon 1t.
~
present commission was working admir-
ably, and that no order of theirs had
ever failed to be promptly obeyed and
respected by the railroads He insisted
that no hardship should be visited on the
railroads at this time, as adverse 1egisla-
ton would not only cripple the roads we
now have, but would prevent the build
ing of several which are now about to be
commenced.
The senate after the call of the COM
r.ast mt s.,A<
GRAFTON of the tax commissioners bill,
drawn by Judge Mitchell of Florence,
and passed the house last week.
The bill is known to have the unquali-
fled support of Gov. Johnston, who be-
lieves that it's enactment would bring
enough additional revenue to the state
to enable it to meet it's deficit, over $780,
900, without being compelled to increase
the present tax rate.
Senator Brewer, ex-auditor and chair
man of the finance committee, took
charge of the bill and made a strong
speech in it's favor. Aside from the con-
vincing logic of the facts and figures
with which he made the question lumin-
Gus, his opinion on all questions of
revenue have great personal weight with
the senate.
Senator Moody opposed the bill on ac-
count of retroactive features, as it gives
the county tax commissioners the power
to assess taxes on escaped property as
far back as five years. He feared this
eature, which would be popularity re-
sented as "a back-tax grab" like the
back salary grab in congress, and might
lead to its repeal two years hence.
Mr.. Case also strongly advocated the
BILL
Senator Hundley opposed the bill be-
cause it allowed the county commission
ers 10 per cent. commissions. He thought
per cent. was sufficient. He also op-
posed the per cent. back tax feature.
The bill finally passed with several inn
portant amendments by a comfortable
ma jority, and the house this afternoon
concurred in the senate's amendment
All the bill now requires to make it a law
is the signature of the governor. which
will be affixed without delay. There
appears to be little. doubt but that the
chief commissionership will be awarded
to Judge w. b. Wood, Of Florence, who
has worked so industriously in the inter-
ests of the measure.
The senate spent most of the afternoon
session considering the first section of the
railroad commission bill, but made no
progress whatever. 1t is evident that
the bill is already done for and that its
further consideration is a farce.
Senator Cunningham introduced the
following bills into the senate:
To ratify the incorporation of Steiner
Bros.
To amend the act establishing the city
court of Birmingham, so as not to extend
the term into the months of July, August
and September.
To amend the act fixing the time for
holding the circuit courts in the counties
of the Tenth judicial circuit SO as not to
extend the terms into the months of july
August and September.
For the relief of Mack Holmes, of JEFF
ferson.
To incorporate the Mutual Fire Insur-
ance company, of Birmingham.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced and
H. 1858, BY Mr. Love-To change the
name of Martha B. Hill, of Autauga
county. Revision of laws.
H. 1859; By Mr.. Stewart (by requesD-
To further regulate the trials of misde-
meanors in Blount county. Judiciary.
H. 1860, Also (by reques)-To appro-
pirate the sum of one thousand dollars
$1,000 to the Columbia college at Ban
gor. Appropriations.
H. 1861, Also (by request)-To authorize
the commissioners OF Blount county to
build Jail at Bangor Ways and means.
H. 1862, By Mr.. Lloyd-To amend an
act to amend subdivision % of section
629 of the code of Alabama. Ways and
means.
H. 1868, By Mr. Coleman-To amend
section two (2) of an act to esta blish
new charter for the town of Piedmont,
Ala, approved Feb. 2, 1891. Corpora tions.
H. 1864. Also (by request)-To regulate
and provide for service on cross bills
and answers in the nature of cross bills,
filed In courts of equity, in this state.
Judiciary.
H. 1865, BY Mr. Simmons-To repeal an
act entitled an act to require the county
commissioners of Conecuh county to pro-
cure printed blank forms of certain con-
veyances and printed blank record books
in conformity Herewith. for the use of
and distribution by the probate judge of
said county and to regulate the fees for
recording the same. Judiciary.
FL. 1865, BY Mr.. Cofer-To amend Sec
ton of an act entitled an act to estab-
lish new charter for the city of Gull
man, Ala, approved Dec. IL, 1890. Re-
vision of laws. ~ eE
II. 1867, BY Mr.. Killebrew-To relieve
James B. Daniel of the disabilities of
homage, judiciary.
II. i0es, Also-To relieve Ida G. Daniel
of the disabilities of homage. Judiciary.
H. 1859, by Mr.. Beeson-To establish
a separate school district to be known as
the Union school district In Etowah
county Ala Education.