The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-20

v V poration or person, any money. oz16oI appointment. employment, reward. thing of value. or enjoyment. or pef- sonaf advantage or promioe ther40E for his vote or ofiicial influence, CT for withholding the same, or with an ua- derstanding. expressed or implied, that his vote or his official action shail in any way be influenced thereby; or who shall solicit or demand any such money or other advantage, matter or thinx aforesaid. for another az the ccnsIdera- ton of his vote or oficial influence, or for withholding the same; or shall Sfve or withhold his vote or fn1uei>ee h consideration of the payment or prom ise of such money, advantage. matter or thing 10 another, shall be guilty of bribery within the meaning of thia Constitution. and shall incur the dle- abilities provided thereby for such of- fense, and such additional punishment as Is or shall be provided by law.
 Mir. Pettus-I have an amendment-
 The amendment was read as follows: Amend Section 3s by striking out tho word 'corruptly' where is appears In said section" . MT. oates-That would leave 1t so that soliciting would be an offense.
 Mr. Pettus--I desire to state In re- gard to that amendment that the pres ent section of the Constitution is be- lieved by some to be somewhat inef- fectual in prohibiting the evil that t is aimed at. In this section. which believe is the same as in the old Con- stitution. it says that a member of the Legislature who shall corruptly solicit, demand or receive or consent to re- ceive any of these things. Of course, the evasion is on the word "corruptiy." It could not be proved that his inten- tion was corrupt at the time he solicit- ed or received 1t, and In that way the a dead-letter in the Constitution and on our statute books. Now, I think that if that section is good at alls ana If we are going to put anything into the Constitution on that subject, we ought to put something that can be enforced. and which will not be dead letter. think if we strike out the word "corruptiy' and make thts sec ton apply where a man solicits pr ac- cepts anything of this character. that 1t will reach in a large measure the evil that 1t Is aimed at. For that req son. move the adoption of the amend mont. think this is one section where 1t cannot be argued in favor of 1t. that 1t Is the same as 1t was in the old Constitution. because the section as written in the old Constitution has been an absolute and unmitigated failure.
 Upon vote being taken, the amends ment was adopted.
 Mfr. Hefiin (Chambers)--I was about to prepare an amendment in line elev- en. where is reads 'and shall incur the disabilities provided thereby for such offense." I Gon't see any good reason or good sense for thereby" being in there. and it Is not in the old Consti- tuition. but 1t should read. shall incur the disabilities provided for such of fense.''
 MT. o'Neal-It is in the old constitu- tion.
 MT. Oates--I have not compared it.
 The amendment offered by the gen4 tleman from Chambers was read as follows: amend by striking out tho word thereby in line eleven Of said section"
 Mir. Oates--I have heard no reasons given why 1t should be stricken out. We find on examination that 1t Is in the old Constitution.
 MT. Jones (Montgomery)-Does not Constitution?
 MT. Oates-It does.
 Mir. Jones-And the other part. as may be provided by law?
 MT. Oates-Yes.
 Mir. Jones--And Is it not, therefore. necessary?
 MT. oates--I think it is. T had not examined it when was up before. move to lay the amendment on the table.
 Upon vote being taken. the motion to table was carried.
 MT Pettus-I desire to offer an amendment.
 The amendment was read as follows: Amend Section 3S by striking out the word official where 1t appears in line eight oe Section 3S. page f7. of the Arr ticle on Legislative Department"
 Mir. Pettus--I would like to call the attention of delegates to the fact that this provides for his vote or official in- fiuence In line eight, but further down it is for withholding vote or influence. and not his official influence, as pro- vided in line eight. I think 1t ought to be made harmonious by inserting official in line nine, or striking 1t out of line eight, and think that 1t would be better to strike 1t out. because 1t iE his official influence which is desired. and I do not think man ought to be allowed to play pooh-bah, and for that reason I think he ought not be per- mitted to sell his influence. personal or otherwise while he is in office.
 MT. Long (Walker)--Do you think of the Legislature has got any 
 MT. Pettus--I doubt 1t.
 MT. Burns-I offer an amendment.
 The secretary started to read ths 
 Mir. Pettus-I make the point of or- der that the amendment goes to the substitute offered by the gentleman from Dallas. and it Is not in order at this time.
 The President pro ten--The point of order Is we'll taken.
 The question recurred upon the adop- ton of the amendment of the gentle man from Limestone. as
 Upon a vote being taken, the amend ment was adopted.
 The secretary thereupon read the amendment offered by MT. Burns Of Dalia, as follows: Amend Section Ss bv adding after the word reward in the third line, the words free pass.
 Mir. Burns-I move that my amend ment be referred to the Committee on z daughter).
 MT. Greer (Calhoun)-I move that the be tabled.
 A vote was taken. and during the vote MT. PilIans sought recognition.
 MT. Pillans-I call for the ayes and noes. ... |. TlRie chair declared the motion to ta- ble carried.
 Mir Reese-I call for the ayes and noes.
 Mir Bulger-A point of order. The gentleman from Mobile is too late. The announced before the gen.