The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-25

Constitution for the levy of a special tax for roads. The committee so amended this section as to limit that special tax for pubic buildings and roads to one-quarter of one per cent, and provi led that the fund might also pc expended for public roads as well as for public buildings and bridges. There Is also proviso that any county may. for public school purposes, levy and collect such sp1c cial tax as may be authorized by law. provided that the tax must be first voted by a majority Tn numbers and in value of taxable property. and provided, further, that such special tax shall not be allowed when It shall increase the total rate of taxation for State and county purposes to more than $1.25 upon every $1O0 of taxable property. exclusive of the spe- cial tax for bridges, etc.
 Section has only been amended by striking out the words and enter prises." Ii reads now. The property of private corporations, associ "a tions and individuals of this State shall for ever be taxed at the same rate; pro- vided, this section shall not apply to institutions and enterprises devoted ex- clusively to religious, educational or charitable purposes" The words and enterprises" after the word "Institu- tions,' have been stricken out by the committee.
 Section has been so amended as to incorporate therein the Birmingham amendment. It has further been amended so as to provide that a city can levy a special school tax. provided such special tax shall not be levied and collected when 1t shall cause a greater rate of taxation in any one year than $1.75 for all State, county and city pur- poses, exclusive of the special county tax for bridges. etc.
 Section 8 of the Constitution of 1875 has been stricken out. That section provided that the General Assembly was to lower certain salaries. There is no room now for its operation, and it was stricken out. There has been added to the Article by the committee, Sections g and 10. Section provides, No county shall become indebted in an amount greater than five per centum O. the taxable value of the property thereof; provided. this section shall not apply to any in debtedness in excess of such five per centum, which has already been cre- ated or authorized by law to be cre- ated." The committee recommend an amendment to that proviso as reported, so as to avoid any ambiguity and to make 1t read thus: Provided. this sec tion shall not apply to the excess of any indebtedness over such five per centum which has already been created or authorized by now existing law to be created"
 Section 10 reads as follows:
 Section 10-No city, town or other municipal corporation shall become in- debted in an amount exceeding five per centum of the taxable value of the property thereof; provided. that for the erection or purchase of water-works, gas or electric plants, or sanity sewer age an additional indebtedness not to exceed three per centum may be cre- ated; provided, further, that this sec tion shall not apply to indebtedness In excess of such five per centum already created or authorized by law to be ere ated."
 These are all the changes recom- mended by the committee.
 Mr. Samford-I desire to ofker an amendment to Section 1.
 The President-The question: Is on the motion of the gentleman fr9ln Talla- dega.
 MT. Browne-I withdraw that amend ment.
 The President-Does the gentleman move that this Article be considered section by section?
 MT. BroVne-It was a special or der that 1t should be considered sec- tion by section.
 The President-The clerk will read the first section and then the amend ment of the delegate from Pike will be in order.
 MT. Grant-Before that Is done. de- sire to make a motion. There are only a few of the members. so far as I can find. that have this report before them. Three out of four around me have not got 1t. want to move that the Sec retary be directed to have this report printed.
 MT. Samfod-I understand the report has been printed and distributed.
 Mr. Grant-It has, but we can't get any and the Secretary has none.
 Mir. Oates-Has not the report been read?
 The President-Yes.
 MT. Oates-Won't 1t be in the report of tomorrow?
 The Presidential was read some time since.
 MT. Oates-Did not the gentleman from Talladega read 1t in his remarks?
 The President-No.
 MT. Oates-I thought he had.
 MT. Grant-If I am not out of order, I have a resolution on the subject which another delegate has prepared.
 The resolution was read as follows:
 Resolved, That 800 copies of the ar ticles accompanying reports made to this Convention by the standing com mittees shall be printed.
 MT. Samford-I had the floor on my amendment. and didn't yield for any such purpose as that.
 Mr. Grant-No, and I didn't offer that. I thought it referred to this matter.
 A vote being taken the motion to print was lost, on a division 39 ayes and 50 noes.
 The President-The Secretary will read the first Section.
 The Section was read as follows:
 Section 1. All taxes levied on prop erty in this State shall be assessed Tn exact proportion to the value of such property, but no tax shall be assessed upon any debt for rent or hire of real or personal property while owned by the landlord or hirer during the cur rent year of such rental or hire and when such real or personal property is assessed at its full .alue; Provided, however the General Assembly may levy a poll tax, not to exceed $1. 50 on each poi, which shall be applied exclu- sively in aid of the public school 1und in the county so paying the same.
 MT. Samford--l oeslre to offer an amendment
 The amendment was read as follows:
 Add in fifth line of Se ion 1 after the word value" and no license or other tax shall ever be imposed for the inspection of any article of merchandise used for fel tiliZer.'