The age-herald., 1899-01-26

duced into the house today. There were | but few of general importance. Among the more important measures was | one by MT. Davis, of Marion, which seeks l to change the date of the election in Ala 1 bama for state and county officers from the | first Monday in August to Tuesday after
 the first Monday in November-the same
 date of the federal elections. The bill also changes the term of county superntendents
 Of education from two to four years. l The People t, Ratify
 Representative Graves, of Montgomery,
 introduced a bill amending the constitu- 1 tional convention bill so as to have it sub-
 mitted back to the people for ratification. l There are many advocates of the meas | ure and its chances for passage are good. l Some members who voted for the bill will now support the amendment, and some of | these come from the black bet. Among | these is MT. Seymour of Sumter The fol- l lowing are the principal features of the 1 Graves amendments:
 The constitution shall have no force until ratified by majority of the electors of the state.
 That within two weeks after the filing with the secretary of state of a copy of the constitution the governor shall cause it to | be printed for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper in each of the cities of Birmingham, Eufaula Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Selma.
 That within not less than sixty nor more than ninety days after the adjournment Of the convention an election shall be held in each of the several counties, at which the constitution snail be submitted to the elect ors for their ratifica .-on and adoption. At such election printed ballots shall be used with the words flor constitution and against constitution" and the elector shall declare his choice by making an x before his choice. The result shall be declared the same as the state elections. Wife Competent Witness
 Representative Davis introduced a bill seeking to make the wife competent wit ness for her husband in criminal cases.
 He also presented very important bill to punish lynching and mob violence in the state. This bill makes an officer from whom a prisoner is taken and lynched forfeit his office. Any person convicted for participating in a lynching is forever in eligible to hold office under the laws Of Alabama.
 Another bill by MT. Davis requires all charges of courts to juries to be in writing.
 The Good Roads Address
 Speaker Waller this morning received a telegram from United States Commissioner of Agriculture James Wilson saying that Expert Harrison would be in Montgomery on the 2d or Sd of February, and address the assembly on the subject of road build ing. This message is in reply to one sent yesterday by the speaker to have an expert address the assembly. Representative Sey- mour was author of the resolution.
 Mobile school Question
 The Mobile school question bobbed up in the house rather unexpectedly this morn n tsxrNC Coxr hrn 10Th the question by motion to take his bill from the hands of the educational commit tee and place it on the calendar
 MT Seymour made an able speech in sup port of his motion, claiming that the com mittee were holding the bill, thus jeopard- izing it. He entered into discussion Of the merits of his bill, but MT. Robinson moved this out of order, and the chair, MT. Mcqueen, presiding, ruled the point well taken.
 MT Brandon, of the educational commit tee. refuted the charge by MT. Seymour that the committee was attempting to jeopardize the bill. He stated that it was at the instance of the members of the com mittee who were friendly to MT. seymours bill that report on the bill was not agreed upon at last nights session.
 MT Seymour interrupted the speaker to state that he had not intended to cast any reflection on the committee, personally
 MT. smith, or fjSc3 fnDld, diSO HItIHDel of the education committee, agreed with Mir. Brandon that MT. Seymour had cast reflection upon the committee. and he de- sired to place tho committee right before the house. MT. Cofer supported the Sey- mour motion
 MT. Robinson, of Mobile chairman of the educational committee. begged the pardon of the house for entering into more de- tailed discussion of the bills history. He recited the bills history arguing the justi- fication of the committee in it's failure to take action on the measure The Mobile delegation had only last night appeared before the committee to argue their side of the question. He closed the argument by resenting the charge that the committee was attempting to stife legislation.
 MT. Spears arose to address the house, but yielded the floor to MT. Hehin. who moved to limit debate on the question 10 three minutes. MT. Davis. of Marion. aris- ing to question of personal privilege. ex- planed as member of the committee why the committee had not taken action on the bill at last nights session On the roll call to table Mir Seymours resolution. the vote was 57 ayes. noes G. Southern University Charter MT. Trustall secured unanimous leave 10 call up house bill 719 to amend an act jn- cooperating the Southern University at Greensboro. Upon the withdrawal of the North Alabama conference from the school it was left without a board of trustees. and upon the death of Dr. Keener, without a president. The bill was passed and sent to the senate without engrossment. A meet ing of the new board of trustees will be held in Greensboro Monday next for the purpose of electing a president to succeed Dr. Keener.
 Speaker Waller III Speaker Charles E. Walker has been con- fined to his room at the Exchange today with a severe attack of la grippe. He came to the capitol this morning and called the house 10 order but immed 'atey relin- qushed the chair to Representative Brown and returned to his room.
 Speaker Walker has been suffering from