The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-20

EOuFt, ana tUS StNlHB OL OOhU HI the amount of the damages. with sureties.
 Railroads and Canals.
 The mower to regulate freight and pas se1iRer traffic. the building of depots, pre- venting unjust discrimination and abuses and requiring reasonable charges Of rates of freight and passengers is conferred m more explicit language than in the exisi- Ing Constitution.
 Railroads and transportation companies are forbidden to give free passes or to sell 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 companies 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 the Public Credit.
 Specific authority is given the Governor to refund the State debt, and it is declar- ed In substance that the appropriations made by the Constitution shah not hinder the State from using any moneys in the treasury, If necessary. to protect the pWb. lio faith. With these provisions, reKn6v- aE the u1fsTtaintes 1Ssrs & 91 the present Con refunding of the State debt at a much lower rate of interest, which will save many thousand dollars per annum to the the Convention. 'sP +F
 Amending the Constitution.
 In this respect. the new instrument is vastly superior to the old. Three-ffths of all the members of each house, instead oi two-thirds, may. propose amendments. The people. instead of waiting until the next general election for representatives, may vote upon amendments at the next general electiqn after the session at which amendments are proposed, or at special election fixed hu the eIa Io., than ninety days after the final adjourn 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 majority of those voting at the general election.
 The excitement attending general elec- tons for officials usually prevents fair consideration Of amendments, and most frequently causes the failure of even the 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 peIled to consider amendments amidst the heat and partisanship of political campaigns.
 Review of the Changes.
 Frank study of the new instrument will convince you that 1t is pervaded by an and best interests of the State. State taxes have been lowered. The power or counties cities and towns to contract debts has been curbed, and the citizen is better protected against unjust assess ment for paving. streets and sewers The public schools have been fostered. and larger and more certain appropriations provided. The people have been relieved of the harrassment and expense of un- necessary elections. and saved from the Vexation and uncertainty of too frequent changes in the law or the ap- prehsnsi0R thereof. The great abuse and has been stricken down, leaving the laW. making power free to devote it's energies