The age-herald., 1899-01-06
REGIMENT TO TAKE PLACE OF THIRD In Case the Alabama Negroes Are Mus
 tered Out. MAJ. BRANDON, TUSCAL0O
Will Raise a Command Of White Troops
 to Fill the Vacancy.
GOVERNOR RETURNED YESTERDAY
niston, and Heard Many Compli- ments Passed on Third Regi-
 ment-Public Schools.

Montgomery, January 5.-(Special.)-Gov ernor Johnston returned to the capitol this morning from his trip to Anniston, where he reviewed the Third Alabama reg ment yesterday He expressed himself as having enjoyed a delightful trip. Of Alabama's s colored troops the governor said
 ''The Alabama colored troops made very fine showing. Generals Frank and Carpen- ter were very complimentary in their criti- cisms, telling me that they knew of no better regiment in the service in both drill and discipline" It is not believed that the Third Alabama will be included in the or der which is soon to be made from Wash ington to muster out all colored volunteer troops. In case this regiment is included, however it is very probable that another Alabama regiment of white troops will be formed to take their place, It Is said that Major w. w. Brandon. of Tuscaloosa, will lead the movement to organize this voun- teer regiment. There is not an Alabamian who could more readily organize regiment than Major Brandon, he has won the confidence and esteem of all the state by his successful efforts to have mustered out of service the former Second regiment
  were opposed to going to Cuba part ef the army of occupation.
 The Public Schools
 The public school question is receiving a great deal of attention from many of the members of the general assembly during the holidays, and it is very frequently dis cussed by the members visiting the capi- tai. "The Age-Herald's fight to have the nna tlA al assembly, is bearing fruit in my section,' said an East Alabamian yesterday, Tt is splendid suggestion that if properly carried into effect must result in much good to the schools"
 In this connection it is an interesting fact that practically nothing has yet been done for the public schools Several bills and resolutions have been introduced, but only two tangible resolutions have been passed. These were Rep resentative Seymour's resolutions, one that it was the sense of the house that the appropriations for the public schools be increased from s350 900 to $500 900, which, with the polls as heretofore collected would make the fund in round figures SS00,- O00 The other was a joint resolution re- Questing the Alabama members in congress to use their good offices to have all the public lands in this state donated to the public schools to be held in trust by them. There between 300 GOO and 600 900 acres of these lands, lying largely in north Ala bama, and some of them very valuable mineral lands It Is MT. Seymours opinion that with this gift and annual state ap- propriation of $500 0000 the public schools would be sufficiently well cared for as not to again bob np as a troublesome problem to a legislature
 It is almost certain that the annual ap- propriation will be increased to $500 900, as nearly every member of the general assem- ply is on record for the Seymour resolu- ton.
 In his message, Governor Johnston fa- vored this increase in the public school fund, but he has his own plan for obtain ing the money. To quote from the mes sage:
 "Our present appropriations for the com mon schools are:
 General appropriation ..... ..... .. $350 900 Poll tax appropriation ..... ...... .., 150,0O0 Total of about ..... ..... .......... .$645, GOO "I am strongly inclined to think it wiser policy, after this fiscal year, to supersede our general appropriation of $S50 900 by leg islative provision devoting one-third of all the money received into the treasury from the tax on real and personal property to the cause of education. This would make an increase of nearly $100,0 900 in the appro- priation and at the same time assure the friends of education that values in- crease, as property is more fairly assessed, and as those escaping and evading are com pelled to contribute their share, one dol lar in every three that may be thus added to our income will go to our schools and the progress of the schools at least keep pace with the growth and development ,ef our state. If these recommendations are adopted our appropriations for common schools instead of aggregating some s645,00O ought to show this:
 16 section fund ...............S .Sl40,O0U Poll tax ........ .......... 30O,0o0 General appropriation 435,0O0 Total .........'.. -..'.9ooo,oVo gain of nearly $250 annually"
 Many Callers
 The governor was very busy up to late hour this afternoon receiving several dele cations who were here in the interest, gen. erally of some friend who desired office. There was a delegation from East Ala bama in the interest of the candidacy of T P Hudmon, of Lee county, for place on the railroad commission From Elmore. Coosa and Tallapoosa there was a delega- ton in the interest of E. W. Booker for the same position. Other delegations sought some executive favor.
 Mayors Powers Curtailed
 Montgomery has been having warm time over the revision of the city charter.