The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-20

as that on the Legislative Department, do not see why this convention should suspend judgment because that Committee, which has not yet report ed. thinks it has something better than we now have. If that Committee has something better let them bring 1t for- ward. and if it meets the wishes of the Convention the amendments will be ac. cepted. T only wish to add one word to the forcible argument which has been I,lade by the gentleman from Jefferson (Cunniliyham). One of the best ways to test q principle is to observe it's practical working. l may perhaps be pardoned for referring to some advice that a very wise politician gave ne some years ago. when. l had trouble some otIice. which had many appoint ments to make. He said: You have three Railroad Commissioners to ap- point. There are as many as 100 ap- piicants The members of the Gener- al Assembly are urging this one and that one. If you have any legislation that you want to get through, don't you appoint these Railroad Commis. sioners until the end of the session, because if you do you will be torn to pieces. If you will hold those appoint mcnts-not announce what you will dc but keep them until the end os the
 
 please during the session as to any honorable or fair proposition that you want and hold the two Houses in the hollow of your hand Mir. President, Gnerc have been times when this power of the Governor to appoint-the power Of the Governor to make members of the two Houses believe that they would ingratiate. themselves in his favor by 5u-Dorting bills and measures he fav- ored-would be repaid in the future by appointments to office, has, SO to say, made 3 Governor master of both Houses of the General Assembly. A notable instance was when the will of the people was reversed, and their in- tense longing for Constitutional Con- ventiop was throttled in the very Houses which gave it birth. For reas- ons like these the Committee believe this is a wise provision to put in the Constitution. 1t is in the Constitu- tions of other States with late experi- ence of that subject. We wish as far as we can-while it may operate harsh- ly in particular instances-to get men to come to the Legislature who come here to work for the welfare of Ala bama. and not to get an office. How many elections for Solicitors have we seen where good men on the outside, competent men on the outside, were defeated by som member of the Legis- Iature who had the power to traffic and trade in offices; and if this Con- vention. as believe is its desire, wishes to improve the standard of political morality in this State, don't let us vote down propoSition like this.
 MT. Oates-I desire to read Section F of the present Constitution.
 Section 17.-No Senator or Represen. tative shall. during the terms for which he shall have been elected, be appointed to any civil office of profit under this State, which shall have been created or the emoluments of which shall have been increased during such term. except such offices as may be filled by election by the people.
 It is probably not out of place, aG refer to this having been amended by tho Committee on Legislative De- changed. It will read: No Senator or Representative shall during the term for which he shall have been elected be appointed to any civil or military office. etc." That Is the only change proposed to be made by that Commit tee. I renew the motion to table.
 MT. Jones-On that I call for the yeaa and nays t
 MT. Cunningham-Ic call for division OI Cue question:.
 The President-The gentleman from Montgomery has the floor.
 Mir. Oates-I am not disposed to throttle debate. and will withdraw the motion to table. 4iH "-'.-
 Mir. Cunningham-Then I renew 1t, to table the amendment.
 The President-The gentleman from,
 Bibb (Mr. Thompson) has the floor.
 Mr. Thompson-Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention, regret that have to differ with the most dis men of this Convention, but, like them, have my views upon this subject, and I think that opinion is formed without prejudice to any man, mad not backed by passion or but what is for the future best interests of Alabama. Now as to the argument of the distinguished gen. tleman from Montgomery, not onS word. MT. President, is applicable to this case. In the instances cited by him. it was not an appointment sought by any member of the General Assem- bly,, but appointments sought by out siders. who he argues were urged and supported by members of the General Assembly. Then, if he is right his Section has no effect. Why not, if the chairman of the Com mittee wants to carry out his purpose m9ke 1t ] criminal offenSe for any member of the General Assembly to any man to the Governor of Alabama for office, then he will reach his point, and not until then. Hia argument does not fit this case. He iA simply working a past prejudice.
 Mir. Jones--I used it simply as an il" lustration of the power where they urged other people, still more so when they happen to be candidates them- selves.
 MT. Thompson-I submit that his Il. lustration does not illustrate. Mo- MT. President. and gentlement of the Cons I hope the membership of this will stop and think for one and not pc carried off their feet by any prejudice that may exist against any man that was Governor of this State in days gone by. MT. President, it is to be hoped that the Civil War is over. It is to be hoped that some of our former political cam paigns are over, and that memories of them are dead and gone. Are we going to frame this Constitution upon what may have been our political alignment in a former political fight? That is the whole force of the gentleman's ar- gument. Now, the question is this; Will we say to some of the best men in the Counties that you shan't' come to the General Assembly if you have any hope whatever of holding any of1cG In your County that may become va cant during the time for which you are elected. Why, in some of the smaller Counties-they may not be so favoraoly situated as the County from which the .A