The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-10


 the proposed amendments, shall be giv- en by proclamation of the Governor, which shall be published in every coun- ty in such manner as the General As sembly shall dsect. for at least eight weeks successiyely, next preceding the day appointed for such election. On the day so appointed, an election shall be held for the vote of the qualified electors of the State on the proposed amendments. If such election is held on the day of the general election, the officers of the general election shall open a poll for the vote Of the quail fled electors on the proposed amend ments; if it be held on day other than that of a general election, offi- cers for such election shall be appoint ed and the election shall be held in all things in accordance with the law gov erning general elections. In all elec- tions upon such proposed amendments, the votes cast thereat shall be can vassed, tabulatei, and returns thereof made to the Secretary of State. and counted. in the same manner as Is due in elections for Representatives in the General Assembly. and if it shall there upon appear that a majority of the qualified electors who voted at such election upon the proposed amend ments, in favor of the same. such amendments shall be valid to all in- tents and purposes. as parts or this Constitution. The result of such cleo tion shall be made known by procla- nation of the Governor.
 Mir. Reese-I have an amendment.
 The Secretary read the amendment as fellows:
 Add at the end of the Section. but the basis of re presentation in the Leg islature shall not be changed by any amendment adopted under the provis- ions of this Section"
 MT. Reese-The purpose of that amendment is this. f"' ''t
 MT. Barefeld-I rise to a point of order. The amendment is not gerfnane to that Section, 1t would come in un- der the head of representation in the General Assembly to vote. on repre- sentation.
 The President-It seems to the Chair that 1t is a matter for the decision of the Convention. The Chair does not feel authorized to rule out the amend ment on the ground that 1t is not ger mane.
 MT. Reese-Mr. President, very fre- qrently it is suggested that something or other is not germane, and I would say something on the proposition of germanity suggested by the gentleman from Choctaw. The proposition is en- tirely germane and 1t Is very germy to this matter, it includes very seri- ous proposition, and a proposition that has been very seriously considered by the Legislature which passed the en- abling act. that has been considered very carefully by the Convention that gent these delegates here, and more tha n all hyr ha yhO delegates here. It is the understand ing of every delegate that no man can dare deny, that it was clearly under stood that the present basis of repre- sentation in th's State should remain unchanged. The honorable gentle men who represent the State of Alabama on this floor came here with the hon. est determination N their minds to carry out that pledge. It Is the stead fast purpose, 1 believe, of every man in this Convention to redeem the pledges that they made to the people. It has been reported by the Committee having that subject in charge that the present basis shall remain. Let this Convention not only carry out this pledge. but guarantee to the people that this pledge shall be preserved
 Mir. Long-Can you put an amend ment to the Constitution that the peo- pie themselves through another Con- stitut'on cannot change? Is that your object?
 Mir. Reese-I will explain that the matter is entirely germane. This Sec tion provides the manner in which amendments can be adopted to the Constitution, and to use the express sion of distinguished. gentleman on this floor. hereafter amendments will be adopted with great facility, and under the provision in this Section it almost amounts to the Legislature changing the basis of representa- ton. It only requires three-fifths vote of the Legislature to submit an amendment to the people. When the section which l represent have gone in under the workings of this new machinery, their voting power will be very much linn ited, and We will have to rely upon the lIberality honesty and good faith or North Alabama, and We don't want to have to rely upon the Legislature to keep the faith that delegates made before they came here. The effect of this is to cut off amendments on the subject of representation unless made by q Constitutional Convention. In other words the amendment offered will say to the Legislature you can amend on any other subject, but you cannot deprive counties of representation they nave m this Constitution without call ing Constitutional Convention.
 MT. President. large and influential secticn will be affected by this change; an intelligent portion, and a wealthy portion O. the State. The county that l have the honor to represent in part, Wlth It's population, represents more wealth than any other county except three in this State. There are only three counties in the State of Alabama that are wealthier than the county that 1 have the honor in part to repre- sent. The county of Montgomery which will be affected by any change in this, is one. I believe there is only one oth- CT county more wealthy. It Is nothing but right and justice that we shall be guaranteed until thare is another Constitutional Convention held that the basis of representation shall re- main unchanged. Before this Convca- ton was called. that question more than all others was the issue on which my people determined whether or not they would support this movement. Unless they are guaranteed by this Constitution in the way I suggest, I do not believe that they can consist, ently ratify the work of this Cnnven- tion. I do not believe that you can expect them to do it. I know you gen tlemen from the different sections of the State, you gentlemen whom I have learned to admire I know you mean to do right and fair by our people. and if you do, say 1t in this Constitution and the work that you are doing here and don't leave it In the power of men that will come here hereafter with no