Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-03
BARNES RAILROAD BILL Seems Destined to Meet It's
 Death Today. IN THE LOWER HOUSE longshore's Amendment Giving Each Dom-
 nant Party Representation
MEETS WITH A CRUSHING DEFEAT
Bill But the Speaker Would Not AL
 ia low It-Bills Introduced ands ,.-e Disposed. Of.

Sslss
 Montgomery, Ala, Feb. 2.-(Special Staff Correspondence.)-The house devoted all of the morning session to con- sideration, in committee of the whole, of the Barnes bill to establish new rail road commission and a new code of rail- road laws for Alabama.
 The committee met at 10:30, MT. Hefiin taking the floor, in advocacy of the bill Mrs Hefin is perhaps the most accom- prTshed orator in the house, and his effort this morning was an exceedingly eloquent ofie. He insisted that there was a uni- versal demand from the people of Ala bama for law creating a railroad com mission in fact as we'll as in name. He insisted that the commission as it existed was little more than a farce. He re- minded the members that they sat on the floor as representatives of the people andh besought them to do the bidding of their,constituents. He warned the mem bers,, especially the populists, that if they listened to the voice of the railroad lobbyists and voted against this measure they would be called to account for 1t when they returned to their home and faced the people who sent them here.
 MT Rogers followed MT. Hefiin. He called attention to the workings of an act, of 1890 which authorized the state to
 
 Mobile railroad, and incidentally required a reduction of the freight and passenger charges made by the company. The leg islature was friendly disposed to the com pary but events showed that the mem bers were not competent to regulate rail road charges as, from having declared comfortable dividend for the year previ- ous to the ena actment of the law, the com- pany went into the hands of receiver a year afterwards. MT. Rogers also read letter from Hon. John T. Miner, with reference to the unsatisfactory workings in Georgia of the law under debate.
 MT. Kyle. who is one of the strongest fighters in the house, opposed the passage of the bill in his vigorous and effective style. He argued that the legislation proposed was unnecessary, inexpedient and unjust. He dealt with every phase of the question and developed some inter- esting constitutional points.
 Hon. Cecil Browne followed. He made one of his characteristic strong speeches presenting all there was In his side or the case. He related many instances O! ap, parent inconsistency in rates and insisted that the commission was dead letter as it stood He closed by moving as a sub stitute for MT Longshores amendment tosection 1, that the commission be made elective by the people.
 ,sMr. Sheldon spoke eloquently 10 tne proposed substitute. , A long wrangle and all sorts or paru- mentary. complications ensued, which
 
 ruling that the substitute. was net In or der, and, after further discussion, the previous question was calleu on MT. Iongshores amendment, which sought, it will be remembered, to provioe that one of the three commissioners should pc chosen from each of the three dominant political parties. The vote on the amend ment resulted ayes 34, noes 5S, and the amendment was killed.
 A quantity of diplomatic wrangling was then indulged in. The opposition had good working majority of fifteen or twen- ty and why they did not kill the Dill then and there by insisting that the committee of the whole report it adversely IS not anparent. The chairman ruled that such a motion would be out of order but an appeal from his decision would have easily prevailed. As it was, motion prevailed that the committee rise, report to the house that no agreement had been Hached and ask to be discharged. The house was then called to order, the com mittee reported, was discharged and. the hour of adjournment having arrived, the speaker declared the house adjourned.
 There appears now to be no doubt that the bill will be killed in the house tomor- row morning.
 The following new bills were introduced into, the house:
 H. 1Os1, by MT. Joseph-To provide for the holding of elections in the several beats of Baldwin county, Ala abama, to determine whether alcoholic, vinous or malt liquors small De SOlu III Saiu Utdts. Privileges and elections.
 70 H. 10S2, by MT. Cofer--To regulate the manner of making contracts by the com. 11fiesioners' court or board of revenue of ,Cullman county. Revision of laws.
 H. 10S3, by MT. Wood, of Henry-Toi make 1t lawful to sell or otherwise dis pose of spirituous, vinous or malt liquors and Intoxicating beverages within the, corporate limits of the town of Abbe- vile, Henry county, Alabama. Temper
 IT. 1OS4. Also-To establish corporate school district to be known as the Scotts- borough School district, in Henry and Barbour counties. Education
 H. 10S5, by MT Altman-To amend an act. to constitute the town of Warrior separate school district Education. ,lD1fI:i10S6 Also-To regulate the riding of bicycles on public roads in Jefferson county Alabama. Local Legislation. zee H :, 10S7, Also-To amend the charter of the Southern and Northwestern Indus trial association, and to confer additional powers upon said association. Corpora- tions. .e.-4 g.. |.
 H. 1O8s, by Mir. Beeson-For the relief f4of Paul Delenn & Co.,, and c. H. Wright 6 Go, to refund money paid for state and county licenses to retail liquor, but afterwards prohibited from using by act ! of the legislature. Revision of laws. " H. 1889, by MT. Cofer-To more effectu- ally secure competent and well qualified jurors in CuNman county. Revision of laws.
 H. 109O, by Mr. Hunt-To incorporate the Hime Mutual Fire Insurance com 2 pany of Alabama, and to define it's rights, t1 bowers. franchises and duties. Corpora lions.
 H 1O91, by MT. Shedon--To carry into effect section 35 of an act to create a neM . convict system for the state of Ala balna, and to provide for the government. dis U cipline and maintenance of all the con victs in the state of Alabama, approved February IA, 1893, and for this purpose to appropriate the sum of S15,O00. Peniten- tfary and criminal administration.
 H. 1092, by MT. Delchamps-To amend