The age-herald., 1898-12-18
Governor Johnston Yesterday Gave It
 > His Official Approval.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE
Much Was Accomplished At the First Session, Though Most of the Bills Were of Only Lo-
 cal Interest.

Montgomery, December H.-(special)- The state democratic executive committee will be called to meet in Birmingham about January 15, 1899.
 This meeting will be called for the pur- pose of considering plans for the constitu- tional convention campaign. It will also call a democratic state convention, to con- vene probably in March, for the purpose or nominating delegates to the constitutional convention from the thirty-three senatorial districts of the state and, to adopt demo- cratic platform for the approaching battle.
 It was the unanimous verdict of party leaders here today that an early conven- ton be held and that thirty-three of the very ablest Alabamians be placed upon the ticket to lead in the fight
 The coming meeting of the committee will be one of the most interesting ever held in the state.
 Solons Have Departed
 The historic old capitol and leading hotels of Montgomery present the view of "de- serted village'' today. The solons are near ly all gone and quiet reigns supreme.
 Among the few members who have re- mained over, the Atlanta trip has been the principal topic discussed. The editorial in today's Age-Herald on the subject has found general indorsement It seems that no one save the governor received any courtesies on the trip.
 The chief executive was shown every pos sible courtesy. When he arrived in Att lanta a committee from the jubilee associa- tion consisting of Messrs. Draper and AL ston, welcomed him at the station, and es- corted him to the Kimball, where he was shown every attention. Soon afterwards the governor was driven to Piedmont Park, where he lunched with President McKin- ley and party. He was then, in company with Secretary and Miss Long, driven to the auditorium, where he was invited to a seat upon the platform with President Me- Kinley and Governor Candler. Governor Johnston made one of the happiest short on the whole, the governor expresses much pleasure at the courtesies extended him.
 Signing Bills
 The governor spent very busy day be- fore leaving for his home in Birmingham this afternoon to spend Sunday.
 A batch of about fifty bills were upon his desk this morning for approval. Chief among these was the constitutional conven- ton bill This was among the first con sidered, and was approved with the beauti- full silver and gold pen furnished for this purpose by Col. H. l.. Mckee, of Selma, who has labored so earnestly to secure constitutional convention. The pen was mailed to Colonel Mckee in Selma Nearly all of the remaining bills were local ip their nature.
 Work of the sessIon
 The first half of the present session closes with splendid record for rapid work, although most of 1t has been local
 Save the constitutional convention, there ore no laws enacted by the session of es- Jecfal state interest. Tn fact, there were only fourteen other general laws of any, nature enacted. Among these was the bill increasing the auditors salary, fixing the state treasurer's bond, increasing the sala- ries of the convict inspectors and amending several sections of the code.
 During tn session there were I22 bills in- troduced in the house and 257 In the sen- ate. Of these, 176 were passed and sent to the governor. Governor Johnston signed 16S of this number, three were recalled, one was vetoed and four are as yet unsigned. A large majority of these laws create stock districts. special school districts and game laws. But few Of them are or any conse- quence.
 All this legislation has cost the state in round figures s25 900. If the county com missioners' courts were given jurisdiction in these local matters 1t would save to the state many thousands of dollars. There is almost unanimous sentiment in favor of granting them this power. in which case the general assembly could hold one session Of fifty days every four years and better discharge their duties than under the pres- ent system.
 The first session of the assembly two years .so passed .s, .s7 sv., s.us and there were ei2 introduced into the house Tie present assembly has been hard worked.
 Important Legislation
 While the most important of all the meas ures to be considered by the assembly-the constitutional convention bill-is now a law, there are a number of other measures yet to be considered. The most important of