The age-herald., 1899-01-28
EXAMINERS FOR
 STATE TEACHERS Representative Jones Secures the Passage
 Of His Bill. GREATER BIRMINGHAM BILL Opponents to Annexation Appear Before
 House Committee. LEGISLATION AGAINST RAILROADS Senator Sowell of Walker Seeks to Throw the Burden of Proof on the
 Corporations in Damage
 Suits for Injuries.
LEGISLATION AGAINST RAILROADS

nlOHtSOiiSIy, JduudIy Gi.-NCpSSidi.J- iiS entire morning session of the house was de- voted to the consideration of the public question. As a result, Representative Jones, of Covington, secured the passage of his bill providing for state board of examiners of teachers in the public schools. Immediately after the report of the journal committee, the house proceeded with the consideration of the bill to authorize the commissioners court of the several coun- ties to levy a minimum tax of cents on each $1OO worth of property to be applied to the support of public schools, provided this tax does not exceed the constitutional limit.
 MT. Davis called up the bill and made a vigorous speech In its support. MT. Bulger offered an amendment to the bill fixing the special tax at 715 cents on each $100 worth of property. Messrs. Bulger and Robinson spoke in advocacy of the bill and Messrs. Seymour, Cofer and Tunstall in opposition
 MT. Davis called the attention of the house to a bill to come up for considera- tion on tomorrow providing a special tax of 20 cents on each $100 worth of property and moved the postponement of further consideration of the increase before the
  tomorrow shall have been taken. MT. Tun- stall moved as a substitute that consider ation be indefinitely postponed. This mos tion lost by a vote of 51 to 8. MT. Da- wis motion was then agreed to.
 A democratic shutting off democrat from debating a party question was the very remarkable occurrence in the house at the afternoon session and it is causing much discussion.
 MT. Heflin, of Chambers, called up for passage a bill aboishing the court of county commissioners of Coosa county and providing for the appointment of a board of revenue. The Coosa court is composed of populists.
 It was known that the measure would meet with strong opposit on it has before been before the house and failed of pas sage.
 Miller, democrat. of Marengo, moved the indefinite postponement of the measure be- fore MT Hef1n was given the opportunity to present to the house his affidavits and charges against the court.
 He was begged to withdraw his motion, but without avail and the measure was postponed by vote of 52 to 25.
 Mr. Wallace moved a reconsideration of the vote and another fight will be made to- morrow.
 A wise politician said tonight that this vote has much to do with the Jefferson county bill. Representatives Gibson, Hous- ton, Davidson and Hney were among the democrats voting with the populists.
 The Greater Birmingham bill was before the local legislation committee tonight but action of it was deferred till next Tuesday night Former Governor Cobb, of Wood lawn, c. P Beddow, of Avondale; Paul Green, of West End, and J. T. Shugart, of East Lake, appeared before the committee against the bill. There was no one repre- senting the bill and no argument was made.
 
 The thirtieth days session of the senate was opened with prayer by Dr. Lamar, of the Court Street Methodist church.
 On call of committees the judiciary com mittee reported on the question of removal and impeachment of members of county commissioners courts. Accompanying the re- port was bill drawn by Senator Moody. The report and bill are printed in another column of The Age-Herald.
 The first piece of legislation affecting the railroads was offered by Senator Sowel of Walker. It seeks to amend section 3443 of the code and provides that in all railroad accidents in cases of injury and damage, the burden of proof falls upon the rail- road.
 Senator Deans, of Shelby, introduced d bill that will probably result in the removal of the court house from Columbiana to the city of Calera It calls for an election to definitely settle the question of removal or non-removal. If Calera gets the county seat she will have to provide site and raise 900 to build a court house.
 Senator Pulley, of Madison, introduced a bill by request affecting the fire insurance companies of the state.
 Senator Thompson offered a bill regulat- ing salaries of county health officers as fol- lows: In counties of 15000 population or less, $30O; between 15,O00 and 25,o09, $f00; between 25,G0O and 35,C00, $500; between 350O0 and i5,000, $500, and over 45,000, $700 per year
 The whipping post bill of Representative Delchamps, of Mobile, came up just before adjournment of the morning session and created lively debate. The bill was finally passed tn minor amendment.
 The senate concurred in the house joint resolution accepting the invitation of the commercial bodies of Mobile to visit that city during mardi gras.