The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-08
IT CAUSED MUCH DEBATE
Article on Munit 5 al Corpora
 tions Being e Sidered.
Tn. Disposition g constitutional Convention is 2 Overthrow Much of the Work of
 the Committee.

A strong effort was made yesterday bv the minority of the Constitutional Convention to have the body reconsider Its action in adopting Section 2s of .ne Article on Judiciary providing for the election by the people Of County So- licitors and abolishing Circuit Solici- tors. The question consumed nearly all of the morning session and strong lobby of Circuit Soliitors were present. Notwithstanding the lobby, the Conven- ton refused to reconsider the matter.
 The ordinance by MT. Morrissette reducing the fertilizer tag tax to 10 cents, came up as unfinished business and was promptly tabled.
 The Convention took up the Article on Municipal Corporations about the noon hour, and it claimed the atten- ton of the body at the afternoon ses- sion.
 There is no subdivision in the pres ent Constitution on the subject of mu- nicipaI corporations. and there IS strong disposition on the part of dele gates to Edefeat the majority Of the proposltions offered by the Committee. So many of the sections were tabled yesterday that Judge Howze Of Jeffer- son, was moved to make an earnest appeal to the Convention to consider more carefully the work of the Com mittee.
 Nine sections of the Article had been considered, when the delegates got tired at 6:25 o'clock yesterday evening and adjourned. Action on two of these sections had been postponed.
 Proceedings of Convention.
 Edghty-one delegates were present when the Convention met yesterday morning.
 In accordance with previc IS notice. Captain Dent of Barbour, moved to reconsider the vote hy,.,wpGh the amendment of Governor oates to the Judiciary Article was adopted. It au- thorizes the Legislature to abolish courts whose Jurisdiction has been con- ferred on other courts.
 The amendment was reconsidered and an amendment by Captain Dent inserting the words when 1t becomes necessary" was adopted.
 MT deGraffenreid then moved to re- consider the vote by which the Ash croft substitute to Section 2S was adopt. ed. This substitute provided for cleo tion of County Solicitor by the people and abolished Circuit Solicitors.
 The motion for reconsideratiC n brought about an extended discussion.
 Messrs. deGraffenreid of Hale ard Long of Walker spoke in advocacy of reconsideration.
 Captain Graham Of Talladega made
 l,, Nf the substitute as adopted and against reconsideration. He was answered by General Harrison of Lee who opposed election Of Solicitors by the people.
 Mir. Pitts of Dallas spoke for the substitute and Judge Coleman spoke against the substitute and in favor of reconsideration.
 MT. Boone of Mobile spoke in sup port of the substitute. He declared that 1t imputed dishonesty to the peo- pie to say that they should not elect Souicitars. The people want the laws enforced.
 General Jones of Wilcox supported reconsideration and MT. Craig of >DaI- las was against it. Mir. Craig said he favored having the people elect every officer in the State.
 Mir. Carmichael of Colbert argued that 1t was dangerous to allow the election of Solicitors by tho people
 Mir. deGraffen-eid of Hale closed the debate and on motion of Captain Ora ham of Talladega the motion to recon Eider was tabled 6S to 59
 On motion of MT. Smith of Mobile the article on Judiciary was then or dered to be engrossed for a third read ing.
 Tag Tax Amendment Tabled.
 The pending question was .the ferti- lizer tag tax ordinance by Mir. Morri- sette of Monroe which had been favor ably reported. It proposed to reduce the tax to 10 cents.
 By d vote of 72 to AZ the ordinance H as tabled.
 A resolution of MT Carmichael of Colbert, allowing the Secretary of the Convention $500 for preparing papers of the body and a correct copy of the new Constitution was adopted.
 MT. deGraffenreid of Hale introduced an ordinance to strike out the sect ion hixng the method of selecting county solicitors. and 1t was referred to the Judiciary Committee
 The Convention then took up the Ar ticle on Municipal Corporations, and the Chairman of the Committee, MT. Weakley of Lauderdale. explained the provisions and argued in its support.
 Section 1 was read. It provides that cities may have the right to sue and be sued as individuals.
 This opened debate. and MT. Hood of Etowah moved to strike out the sec tion. I. was argued by Messrs Mer- Till of Blrbour Hood of Etowah and Judge Coleman. Finally the section was tabled.
 Section was read. It provided that municipal corporations may be invest ed with the power of taking private property for public use, but shall make just comDensation.
 On motion of General Harrison of Lee, action on this section was post poned to be considered with the Ar ticle on Corporations.
 Section 3 was read. It provides that the Legislature shall have power to change the limits of cities. but thirty days notice of such change shall be given in newspapers before assembling
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