The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-29

Hornblower and others, the prior lang maze having referred to a former ques- fion against the creation of any new debt. rendered 1t very hazardous, and they thought they would not advise the taking of new bonds. because 1t might be an increase of debts which were pro szibsted in the same section of the Con- sitution.
 Mir. Jones-Ycs. but the latter part of that section controls all that goes before, and it Is to be incorporated into this section of the Constitution.
 Now, so far as the State Capitol is concerned. why cannot the Legislature improve the Capitol? All of us have State pride, and would like to see our State Capitol compare with any Capitol in this broad land, and if we had the means I would say do it. Now there IS another thing if you notice in the old Constitution. You will see that the Gov ernor is authorized to negotiate tenn porary loans, never to exceed $lo0,
 What does the Committee report here? The report of the Committee says not to exceed $3o0, 900. There Is a provision, an additional one, and it is not neces- sary that we should say anything to the Legislature in reference to purchas- ing this property for the State Of Ala bama.
 MT. President, while merely give it as my opinion, we came here for a sre- cial purpose. There may be one man in this Convention of ordinary sense, and he can sit down in his room and offer amendments to articles that are brought in here, and keep this Con- vention in session for a months time. Any man can do that where it Is en- tirely unnecessary. and where the Le- gislature can do the work that we are t.xA A<- r.fl
 Mir. deGraffenried-I move that the amendment of the gentleman from Montgomery be laid upon the table.
 Upon a vote being taken, a division was called for. and by a vote of 7e ayes to 24 noes the motion to table carried.
 Mr. watts-I have an amendment.
 The amendment was read as follows:
 Amend Section 3 of Taxation Re- port by adding at the end of said sec tion the words: Provided the General not exceeding $20o. 600 for the improve ment of the Capitol, and adding to its grounds.
 Mir. Watts-I did not favor the amendment offered by my distinguish ed friend from Montgomery, because it involved two or three different proposi- tions. the one as to the issue of bonds being clearly a matter within the dis erection of the Legislature, and ought not to be incorporated into the Consti- tution. The other feature of this amendment in the shape in which it was. offered. was perhaps open to the same objection. but I favor the pur- chase by the State of Alabama of the balance of the square upon which the Capitol stands, and have offered this amendment to Section for the pur- pose of enabling the Legislature to find the means. if necessary, to purchase the grounds and to improve this Cepi- tol building, if in their discretion, after consideration of the matter, they should deem it wise to do 50. There can be no question about the fact. take 1t, with Alabamians, that the building which represents their Capitol, and in which the business of the State is car ried on. should at least be kept in re- pair, and should present a decent ap- pearance to visitors and should be 8 credit to the State. agree fully with my distinguished colleague from Mont gomery that there should be additions to this building; that there should be repairs made to it. and to do that it may not be necessary to issue any bonds. To accomplish it, however, 1t may be necessary to issue bonds. This section as reported by the Committee on Taxation inhibits an increase of the State debt for any purpose, except the purposes stated in it. and, therefore, if the Legislature in it's wisdom should ever determine to improve this Capi- tol, and there was not sufficient money in the State Treasury to do 1t, they would be unable to do 1t, and the Capi- tol building would be left without i'm provement for want of power on the part of the General Assembly to pro- vide the means to carry out the im- provement. I have been in many of the Capitals of the States of this American Union. and I have looked upon the Capitol buildings which those States have erected, and I believe, with the single exception of Rhode Is- land. there is not g single one Of them that does not excel in beauty and in elegance the Capitol of the great State of Alabama I believe, Mir. President, that 1t is the duty of the Legislature to acquire the balance of this square. I think that these houses to the south here should be removed. I think that that land should be gathered irto the Capitol grounds and beautified, and made a part of those grounds. What ever the ultimate object may he, to erect Governors mansion, or what other uses 1t should be put to, it at least should be owned by the State.
 Some suggestion has been made, or hinted at. that this would simply aid the city of Montgomery to have beau Hfful grounds. That sort of thought Should not enter the minds of dele gates when they cast they eyes back a few years and remember that the city of Montgomery, as e free gift, present. ed to the State of Alabama the north ern side Of these grounds without one dollar of compensation. Does 1t stand then In good taste to be saying that fhe purchase of the south side of these grounds to complete the whole, and make it a thing of beauty, should not be done because forsooth it may add some to the beauty of Montgomery. Alabamians should be proud of their Capital City. It is redolent with his tory. As my distinguished friend says, upon these grounds and in this city, a young nation was born. It is true 1t was snort lived, but ever since that na- tion was born, the bravery and heroIsm of its soldiers have been the wonder of the world. Here, MT. President. the drst Confederate Congress was estab- lished. Here MT. Davis was inaugural ed President of the Confederate States, and upon these grounds to the north. the fairs the patriotic and the untirilg women of Alabama have ereots1 a magnificent monument which shall for all time bear testimony to the Valor If those soldiers who fought for principle, for home, for country and for flreside. Shall We have less ambition. shall we have less pride in our Capital City. ard have iesg nride fin ouIs ca nftoI orro,15.