The age-herald., 1901-08-04

ing that under the committees plan there was no provision for punishing regis trar who illegally registered voter and as they had great power he thought they should be punished if they abused it.
 MT. Williams of Marengo, by consent, here introduced an ordinance to supply defects In the provisions of the act au- thorizing an election to remove the coun- ty seat of Shelby County
 Also, to regulate the Jurisdiction of In- ferior courts where the same are estab- lished in cities in place of justices courts
 Judge Walker Speaks.
 Judge Walker of Madison arose to dis cuss the Blackwell amendment He said these registrars were to be appointed by the Governor, Auditor and Commission CT of Agriculture three of the most im- portant officers in the state. They would appoint good men and there was already a provision to remove names illegally registered. They would complete their work within seventy days. The amend ment was unnecessary. There was no court that could try such a case within that limited time. It would do no good to hold this threat over their heads. The whole registration scheme could be up- set by making such prosecutions.
 MT. Chapman of Sumter said the amendment was an indirect thrust at the black belt. Captain Blackwell disclaimed any such intention. Continuing, MT Chapman said that in future there would be no fraud In the black belt and that they were giving up their majority and turning over the state to the white coun- ties. Elections in the black belt would be counted as actually voted. These reg istrars were of mushroom growth and men would be deterred from accepting the office of registrar if there was pos sibility of their being fined $2.50 if they made a mistake. He moved to table the amendment. which was done.
 MT. Browne of Talladega offered a new section. This provided that the Legisla- ture is authorized to raise the limit of age for the payment of poll tax under this article from 45 to 60 years. The commit tee accepted this section and 1t was adopted
 Other Amendments.
 MT. Beddow of Jefferson offered sec- ton which provided that an applicant s affidavit as to his qualifications to regis ter under paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 4. based on his personal knowledge or in- formation and belief shall be sufficient evidence to entitle the applicant to reg ister. MT Hood of Etowah moved to table this section, which was done.
 MT. hlrk or OOlDeTL OllcICu d hCW DCS- tion, provided that persons who could vote in January, 1867, and their law de- scendants should be entitled to register and vote.
 MT. Kirk spoke in favor of his amend ment. He said there might be white men who would providentially be prevented from registering under the temporary plan and who could not register under the permanent plan and they ought to De allowed to register under the Democratic pledge that no white man should be dis franchised.
 Captain White said this question had been discussed In the committee, ana they had concluded 1t to be unconstitu- tional. He moved to table the section, which was done by vote of 80 to ~.
 MT. Jenkins of Wilcox offered an amendment to the good character clause so as to require the applicant to nave good characted for truth and veracity, and if hls character Is challenged he must nresent three afidavits from citizens of good character as to his own character.
 He spoke in favor of his section and said it would make more certain the opera lions of the good character clause and would tend to have the constitution rati- fled. This section was tabled.
 General Sanford of Montgomery offer ed new section which provided that any person WnO SnaIl pdy tno pun iaA oi du elector for the purpose of influencing his vote should be deprived of his own vote and be disqualified from holding office. Captain White said the committee would not object to this section if the conven- tion wanted it.
 MT. O'Neal of Lauderdale offered as a substitute that any person who should pay the poll tax of another should be guilty of bribery, and be punished ac- cordingly, This was adopted and the ar ticle was then ordered to an engrossmeut and a third reading.
 Article on Judiciary.
 The convention then took up the report of the article on juduciary Section one was read as follows:
 Section 1.-The Judicial powers of the State shall be vested in the Senate, sitting as a court of impeachment, a Supreme Court, Circuit Court, Chancery Courts,
 (Continued on Second Page.l