The age-herald., 1898-11-25
DULL PROCEEDINGS AHEAD
TOday'S Session of House and Senate
 Will be UnintereSting.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Some Doubt as to When the State Will Get a New Constitution-Local Legislation Becoming Mo-
 notonous-A Marriage.

Montgomery, November A-(Special.)-- Thanksgiving has been a quiet day in Montgomery. At the capitol it is as quiet as a banquet hall deserted. Few there are to greet one in the historic old building.
 Private Secretary Cory was in the gov- ernor's office this morning medtating as to whether to eat his biscuit and jam and be thankful or should he accept an invita- ton to partake of a Thanksgiving turkey. Few were the callers to disturb him, and at o'clock the executive door was closed behind the faithful secretary. The temp tation of a turkey had gotten the better of him. VI
 Governor Johnston took advantage of the opportunity for a hunt for quail, and the days results have been very satisfactory to him.
 In the senate and house chambers none save the faithful doorkeepers were found, for today all labor in the state capitol has been suspended in order to render thanks to an Almighty God for the many blessings granted during the past year. Nearly all of the members of the assembly are at home to eat turkey with their families.
 President Cunningham, of the senate, is with his family in Birmingham, while Speaker Waller is enjoying day at his lovely Greensboro home. They will both return tomorrow, and the grind of local laws will be renewed.
 Give Commissioners Power
 Local legislation is becoming very monot- onous to the state assembly. There is a fast growing impression that matters of concern to but a single county should be settled by the board of commissioners of such county. At each session of the as- sembly it costs the state thousands of dol lars to determine whether the cows of John Jones, of Geneva county, should run at large; whether birds should be protected in Madison, 'possums caught in Winston, road law passed for Wilcox, dispensary established in Barbour, or some like local questions, the merits of which the average legislator is as ignorant is a "hog of holiday" Let these ma tiers be settled al home, is the sentiment which will be em bodied in the next constitution of Alabama.
 Constitutional Convention in Doubt
 But there is some doubt as to when the state is to get a new cons titution. be- lieve bill providing for constitution convention could pass the house tomorrow, but its fate in the senate would be very doubtful. It is the most talked of measure about the capitol, but there is a sad lack of organization among it's fir ends. There is no leader for the movement. There is needed here Shelley, Morgan, Pettus or some other like strong man to encourage the young men in their fight to place Ala bama to the front with many other Of her sister states. With strong leader the convention is assured, but there is no man in either body of the present assembly who is willing to make the fight.
 Ono fact is assured The matter will never be considered by the house until 1t has first been passed by the senate. TWO years ago the house passed the Jenkins bill providing flor convention, put II failed in the senate. Now the senate must act first, The opponents of the bill claim that the birmingham amendment" method Is all that is necessary to remedy the nresent constitution. Many progressive men are afraid to trust this method.
 rhe Feed of Prisoners
 Senator Meader's bill to regulate the pay of sheriffs for feeding prisoners will en- counter sharp opposition from the state sheriffs' association. The governor has been Investigating the question Of feeding nrisoners and recently he addressed letters to the mayors of Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile to know the cost of feeding city prisoners. Answers show the follow ing: .. Montgomery. cost per capita per day. sA cents.
 Mobile, cost per capita per day. 57-9 cents
 Mayors of Montgomery and Mobile say prisoners are required to do hard labor and require and receive abundant food. The average number in each prison Is: Mont
 
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