The age-herald., 1901-06-26
introduces Resolution Removing State Capitol from MODt- gOnerytO Birmingham PARTY PLEDGES NOT BINDING The Convention Refused to Provide for Widows and Orphans of Sheriffs
 Killed in the Discharge
 of Duty.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER. Montgomery, June 25.-(Special )-The Constitutional Convention spent the whole day in discussing what might be considered a novel proposition This was section S1 of the article on executive which proposed that the State should make adequate provision for the depend ent members of the families of a sheriff, deputy sheriff or member of a sheriff's posse who might be killed or permanent ly injured In defending a prisoner. The proposition was defeated yesterday and an effort was made today to reconsider 1t. The question was ably debated by Governors Jones and Oates, Judges Cole man and Cobb, and others, and while at one time the convention seemed to be in favor of it, it was finally lost by a vote of 62 to 63.
 Nothing else was done during the day except for the convention to table a re- port from the committee on rules recom- mending the five minute rule on amend ments. The members of the convention threw few bouquets at each other and said they didn't need five minute rule, as none of them ever trespassed by word or mouth, so to speak.
 few resolutions were introduced the following by Tom Long of Walker caus- ing roar of laughter and applause:
 Whereas, The platform adopted by the last Democratic State convention on March 23 last, among other things, pledged our faith mot to deprive any white man of the right to vote except for conviction of an infamous crime" and also pledged that section 39 of article of the present constitution with refer ence to the removal and location of the State Capital shall remain unchanged;" and
 Whereas, Editorials have appeared in a leading Montgomery daily paper to the effect that the pledges made in the last Democratic platform should not be bind ing upon the delegates to this convention; and
 Whereas, At recent meeting of the State Press Association the representa- tive of leading Montgomery religious paper introduced and with the assistance of an editor of a Montgomery daily news paper had passed, resolution to the ef- tect that the party platform was not and should not be binding upon the conscience or act of any delegate or member of the constitutional convention and further pledged the hearty support of the State press should the party platform be vio- lated; and
 Whereas, If it is expedient or right to violate one section of the party platform it is equally right and just to violate an- other.
 Therefore, be 1t Ordained by the people of Alabama in convention assembled, That the State Capital be and is hereby removed from Montgomery to Birnling- ham, Alabama.
 Convention Opens.
 The twenty-ninth days session or the Constitutional Convention was called to order by President Knox at 10 o'clock. A prayer was offered by Rev. MT. Elliott. Roll call showed 131 members present The committee on journal reported it was correct and it's report was adopted. MT. White of Jefferson and MT Dent of Barbour arose to correct errors in the stenogapher's report The roll was then called for the pur- pose of introducing resolutions.
 MT. Bulger of Tallapoosa offered reso- lution that committee reports be taken up in the order in which made.
 MT Hodges of Lowndes offered an ordi- nance to amend section IT of article IA so as to authorize the Legislature by gen. eral laws to charter savings banks.
 MT. Carmichael of Coffee offered a reso- lution to authorize the secretary of state 
 Journal
 Mir Cobb of Macon offered a resolution to have errors in the stenographer's re- port privately corrected by the stenog- raper at the instance of members.
 MT. Jones of Wilcox offered a resolution to prevent amendments being proposed to the articles of the constitution when such amendments could be enacted into laws by the Legislature.
 MT. Kyle of Etowah offered an ordi- nance to provide for the formation of private corporations.
 MT. Thompson of Bibb offered an ordi- nance to provide for tax on collateral inheritance of 21 per cent on each s1OO. to be applied to the public schools
 Governor Jones then moved to recon sider the vote on which section 31 of the article on executive was defeated yes- terday. This was a proposed section which provided that the Legislature should provide for the family of any sheriff. deputy or member of posse who was killed or disabled while defending prisoner.
 Favors Reconsideration.
 Governor Jones said that if we vote down this provision we put Alabama fifty years behind in the march of progress. If we failed to enact it we were saying to the world we were simply playing with words when we said a sheriff should risk his life in defense of pris- oner. He then illustrated the fate of sheriff's family when the former was killed. He told of an instance where a sheriff had souched from his duty be- cause he had an old widowed mother and two sisters who were dependent on him. He was unwilling to serve a State which would send him out to death and be un- willing even to bury him. There was not civilized government on earth which. when man died in its defense, would not make some provision for his family. This amendment was a question of great moral significance That the best way man could die was to die for men in the discharge of his duty He did not want that sentiment voted down.
 Mr. Martin of Calhoun also spoke in favor of the amendment saying it would encourage sherifrs in the discharge of their duty.
 Mr. Hefin of Chambers said he diff fered from the gentlemen who had