The age-herald., 1901-08-09
C0NVEN TON ALLOWS
 WOMEN SOME RIGHTS

(Continued from First Page)
 ing. one of the greatest evils in the state was that every town that wanted char ter had to come to the legislature to get it.
 The constitutions of sixteen of the states contained similar provisions for the classification of cities. The conven- ton would, in view of laws already adopted, have to adopt part of the sec tion. No one will contend that a city like Birmingham should be governed by the same laws as a small town of 1000 population. The cities of San Francisco and St. Louis and others have adopted charters by the vote of the people which in the opinion of experts are models of municipal government. Why should not the cities of Birmingham and Montgom- cry have the same privilege?
 MT. ONeal of Lauderdale called atten- ton to the fact that the minority report of General Sanford would repeal several sections already adopted in the article on local legislation. Judge Coleman said the Legislature could exercise all the power conferred upon it by this section and see therefore thought 1t was unnec- essary That under the section, the Leg islature could never revoke a charter granted to a city.
 Mir. Ashcraft of Lauderdale said that If the convention was composed of that class of citizens who wanted to spit on the sidewalk an don the oors of cars then let them vote against the section, but he hoped they would consider how long a time it would be before the people would have another chance to regulate this mat ter. He illustrated how amendments to charters of cities are obtained now from the Legislature when the citizens knew nothing of the measure.f If we want progress let us unite op the majority re- port. He moved to table the minority re- port and the. amendment, which was
 Aif. Sanford of Pike said that under the section a city could establish a charter and the Legislature would be un- able to repeal 1t. He moved to table the section, which was done by vote of 65 to 4.
 MT. Wilson of Clarke moved to recon slider the vote whereby section was adopted yesterday. This provided that the Legislature could not enact laws which will permit a corporation to pay from the payment of all other license
 ves in the State. This motion was tabled.
 Municipal Tax Rate.
 Section II was then read as follows:
 Section il. No city, town, village or other municipal corporation other than provided for in this article shall levy or collect a higher rate of taxation in one year on the property situated therein than # of i per centum of the value of such property as assessed for State taxa tion during the preceding year. provided that for the purpose of paying debts ex- isting on the 9th day of December, 1875, and the interest thereon a tax of 1 per centum may be levied and collected, to be applied exclusively to the payment of such indebtedness and provided further, that oh moi t0 he Oi Of Mobile, which city may from and after the ratification of this constitution levy a tax not to exceed the rate of % of 1 per centum to pay the expenses of the city government. and may also levy a tax not to exceed % of 1 per centum to pay the debt existing on the 9th day of De- cember 1875, with the interest thereon, or any renewal of such debt, and provided further, that this section shall not apply to the cities of Birmingham and Hunts ville, which cities may levy and collect a tax not to exceed # of per centum in addition to the tax of 1s of per centum as herein above allowed to be levied and collected. such special tax to be applied exclusively to the payment of interest on the bonds of said cities of Birmingham and Huntsville, as heretofore issued in pursuance of law or now authorized to be issued. and for a sinking fund to pay off said bonds at the maturity thereof. And provided further, that this section shall not apply to the cities of Troy, Attalla. Gadsden, Bessemer. Woodlawn and Flor ence which cities may from and after the ratification of this constitution levy and collect an additional tax not exceed ing 15 of 1 per centum per annum, but this additional tax shall not be levied un- less authorized by majority vote of the qualified electors voting at a special cleo tfon held for the purpose of ascertaining hQ
 Amendments Offered.
 The committee moved to amend the sec ton by adding that the purpose for which the special tax is to be levied shall De stated in the election called to authorize it. This was allowed.
 Section of the article on taxation had been tabled to be taken up for considera- ton along with this section.
 Mir Haley of Winston moved to amend the section by striking out the word At talla" MT Davis of Etowah spoke against the amendment and explained the fnan- cial indebtedness of Attalla and that 1t was necessary to allow her the right to adjust it.
 Mir. Browne of Talladega, chairman of the committee on taxation, said the sec ton had no place in the article on mu- nicipalities and that It's proper place was in the article on taxation, and he moved lH. The amendment was tabled but the con vention refused to table the section by A vote of 42 to fl. Judge Coleman moved to postpone th@ further consideration of section Ii and to take up section of the article on taxa ton. Judge Howze of Jefferson opposed this, saying section II was much more perfect than section I. He asked that :he convention cease consuming time in parli- amentary tactics and proceed with the consideration of section H. He moved to table Judge Coleman's motion. which was done,
 MT. Beddow of Jefferson moved to amend section ii by striking out the word proceeding" in line four and substituting the word "same-" He explained that un- der the present law the county authorities had to 20 back to the records of the pre- ceding year before they could make tax assessmsnt. This caused trouble and loss