The age-herald., 1901-07-27
Made FOrcefuI Speech Yester- day and Urged Adoption
 of Suffrage Plan
VOTE WILL BE TAKEN TUESDAY
General George P. Harrison, Chairman of Committee on Corporations, Makes Report on Changes
 Deemed Necessary.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
 Montgomery, July 26.-(5pecial. 1.-The feature of today's session of the conven- tion was speech by President Knox in support of the majority report of the suf- frage committee.
 Mr. Ferguson of Jefferson made strong speech in favor of the minority report. Messrs. Kyle of Etowah and Howell of Cleburne also favored this report. MT. Sparks of St. Clair, a Republican, spoke against the suffrage scheme.
 Mir. Smith of Mobile and MT. Greer of Calhoun spoke in favor of the majority report
 The convention decided to take a vote on the grandfather clause next Tuesday at 12 o'clock. There will be little debate on the article aside from this clause as the committee's report is unanimous ex- cept as to this provision. The majority report, grandfather clause and all, will, however, probably be adopted.
 The committee on corporations made its report today. The principal changes made in the present law is that the Leg islature Is requested to pass general laws for the creation of corporations. Foreign corporations are required to file copies of their charters with the secretary of state. Corporations cannot use the streets of a city for wires. pipes, etc., without the consent of the municipal authorities.
 This committees, had under Consideration the question of free passes and section 1f of the. article reported by them prohibits free passes being given to Legislators or judges, and makes it a misdemeanor to accept them. and also makes 1t ground of impeachment.
 There was minority report as to the section relating to building and loan as- right to charge interest to the legal rate and prohibited fines, fees, etc.
 This committee also had under consider alton the question of the railroad com taken from the Georgia constitution. but there is no constitutional provision that the commissioners shall be elected by the people. The whole matter is practically left to the Legislature.
 Convention Opens.
 The fifty-fourth days session of the Constitutional Convention was called to order by President Knox at 9:30 o'clock and the roll call showed 119 members present.
 MT. Murphree of Pike presented a peti- tion from citizens of Pike County asking that the tag tax on fertilizers be abol- ished and asking that it be made unlawful to use free passes.
 Gen. George P. Harrison. chairman of the committee on corporations. reported as follows, many changes being made in the terms of the existing constitution:
 Terms of the Article,
 Section 1. The Legislature shall pass no special act comforting corporate powers, but they shall pass general laws under which corporations may be organized and corporate powers of every nature ob- tained, subject, nevertheless, to repeal at the will of the Legislature; and shall pass general laws under which charters here tofore granted may be altered or amend ed The Legislature shall, by general law, provide for the payment to the State of Alabama of a franchise tax by corpora tions organized under the laws of this State, which shall be in proportion to the amount of capital stock.
 Sec. 2. All existing charters or grants of special or exclusive privileges, under which a bona fide organization shall not have taken place and business been com menced in good faith within 12 months from the time of the ratification of this constitution, shall thereafter have no va- lidity.
 Sec. 3. The Legislature shall not remit the forfeiture of the charter of any cor poration now existing, nor alter or amend the same, nor pass any general or special law for the benefit of such corporation other than in execution of trust cre- ated by law or by contract, except upon the condition that such corporation shall thereafter hold its charter subject to tho provisions of this constitution, and every amendment of any charter of any corpo- ration in this State, or any special law for its benefit. accepted thereby, shall operate as a novation of said charter and shall bring the same under the provisions of this constitution; provided, that this section shall not extend to any amend ment for the purpose of allowing any existing road to take stock in or aid in building of any branch road.
 Foreign Corporations.
 Section 4. No foreign corporation shall do any business in this State without having at least one known place of busi- ness and an authorized agent or agents and without filing with the sec retary of State certified copy of its ar ticles of incorporation or association. and of the law and authority under which 1t Is incorporated. Such corporation may be sued in any county where 1t does busi- ness by service of process upon an agent anywhere in the State. The Legislature shall. by general law. provide for the pay ment to the State of Alabama of a fran chise tax by such corporation, which shall be the same as that required of do- mestic corporations and in proportion to the amount of ifs capital stock, strictly benevolent or religious corporations shall not be required to pay such tax.
 Sec 5. No corporation shall engage in any business other than that expressly specified in it's declaration or application. -oon "a ohoIy t<nr.<s