The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-21

ssos of pabilc utilities. Cities and towns with A population of more than 6.O00 are forbidden to grant the right to use sIres.s telephone and telegraph lines, electric light or power plants. or steam or heating plants street railroads or other pupnc utiIity, except railroads other than street railroads, for a longer period than thirty years. r~S.
 Banks shall be established under gen. eral banking laws, and may issue bilis inc face value of bonds of the State or inc United States convertible into specie at their face value upon deposit under regulations specified with the state Treas @ within twenty years and close business, unless the charter Is renewed. The Leg islature is required to provide for the ex- ing institutions and trust companies oe individuals engaged in the banking bus ness and requirement is made of report by them under oath. st ieast .,s., twice year. of their resources and liabttties.
 Impeachments.
 The proyisious of the existing Const'- tuition have been changed to obviate the difficulties growing out of the definition, shabituaI drunkenness" so as to cover cotics, and to measure the ofense in view of the dignity of the ofiice and the irn- portance of It's duties. sheriffs have been added to the ocers tSs wno mes surt 1e and the failure of sheriffs or deputies to pro- tect prisoners from mob violence, is made an impeschable % offenss, ,s,str pr9yisio2 nss na. In session. for the assembling of the House of Representatives to consider the impeachment of any person administering vening the Senate to try articles of impeachment if preferred by the House. If the Governor or Lieaitenant- Governor be impeached. the Chief Justice or; in an Associate Justice selected by the Su- preme Court, presides.
 Representation.
 The basis of representation remains the same as under the existing Constitution. but to ths Hse eff lives is increased five members. and the Senate two.
 Exemptions. "f'
 No change has been made in this Arr ~ Militia.
 No chances of importance have been made in this Article. . s F
 Private Corporations.
 The material changes in this respect are that private corporations can no longer be chartered by special act. The Legfsla- ture is required to provide for the pay nfent of franchise tax upon corporations, and when levied on foreign corporations. 1t must be in proportion to the amount of the capital stock employed here, save as to ious corporations. The rights of citizens whose property has been taken under the power of eminent domain are secured fur. ther than in the present Constitution; ny explicitly requiring in cases of appeal tfe payment of the judgment fin money Into court, and the giving of bond in double the amount of the damages, with sureties.
 Railroads and Canals.
 The power to regulate freight and pas- senger traffic. the building of depots, pre- and requiring reasonable charges of rates of freight and passengers is conferred ia more explicit language than in the exist
 Railroads and transportation companies are forbidden to give free passes or to sell tickets at a less discount other than as sold to the public generally to members of the Legislature, or to any officer exercis- ing Judicial functions under. the laws of this State. and stringent provision Is made for enforcing the prohibition. Railroad are forbidden to pay a rebate directly or indirectly, or to aid in any act misleading the public as to the real rates, and the Legislature is required to enforce the prohibition by suitable penal. ties.
 Protecting ths Public Credit.
 Specific authority is given the Governor to refund the State debt, and 1t is declar- ed in substance that the appropriations made by the Constitution shall not hinder treasury. if necessary, to protect the e pubo lic faith. With these provisions. remov- ing the uncertainties of the present Con- stitution there G is .t n9 doubt dsh of the speedy lower rate of interest, which will save many thousand dollars per annum to the taxpayers and many times the cost of the Convention.
 Amending the Constitution.
 
 of all the members of each house, instead of two-thirds may propose amendments. The people, instead of waiting until the | next general election for representatives, may vote upon amendments at the next l general election after the session at which l are proposed, or at a special | election, fixed by the Legislature, not less | ment of that session. A majority of the | votes cast upon the amendment will de- | termine the result, instead of requiring, | as under the existing Constitution, that | this majority requisite to adopt be also | 8 majority of those voting at the general | election. lions for officials usually prevents fair | Of amendments, and most | frequently causes the failure of even the | viEest measures, for lack of interest in them at the time they are voted on. Un | der the new Constitution, the people can not be unduly delayed in moulding their | organic law to their wishes, nor be com pelled to consider amendments amidst | the heat and partisanship of political 
 Review of the Changes.
 Frank study of the new instrument will you that 1t is pervaded by an earnest purpose to subserve the highest and best interests of the State. State | taxes have been lowered. The power of | counties, cities and towns to contract | debts has been curbed, and the citizen Is l better protected against unjust assess | ment for paving, streets and sewers. The | public schools have been fostered, and | provided. The people have been relieved | 1f the harrassment and expense of un- | elections, and saved from the | Iexation and uncertainty of too frequent | thereof r5s S~ great or asTss tas sHS SH avoritism of local and private legislation | las been stricken down, leaving the law. | making power free to devote it's energies General laws secure local and private in- erests. and save the citizen from the necessity of leaving home, and the cost, T. lelay and modification of suppicating l. he Legislature for special or local inter- sts. The government has been brought II within more direct control of the people II Iacancies in executive and Judicial offices an .a,n nt pe hiisd y only temporarily by the ap- ,election was for the remainder of he term. Circuit Solicitors are to be hosen by the people. The voters in coun- les, cities and towns are themselves to etermine the incurring of permanent in- ebtedness. and whether county seats hall be removed. Supervision is extend. q over individuals and corporations en- aged in the business of banking. The judicial system has been so nodded as to etter meet local wants and more elastic ower given to abolish or consolidate courts, when circumstances