The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-08
An Appeal for Cities.

Captain Graham of Montgomery. spoke in support of the section. lie declared that just as long as this mat ter was left to the legislature the cor porations would not pay municipal taxes. They would continue to go to the legislature with Hobbies ana nave themselves exempted from municlpai taxes. 1t was unfair to exempt these corporations when 1t resulted in an ln- justice to others. He was a friend 10 corporations, he said. but he was also d friend to the cities of Alabama and iustice and fairness demanded that the section be adopted.
 Dr. Cunningham of Jefferson, spoKe against the section. He was opposed to 1t because cities could extend their limits and could not except from H. cense tax any industry so annexed.
 MT. weatherly of Jefferson spoke Tn Imposition to the section.
 The question recurring to the section, 1t was adopted by a viva voce Vote' dl,o MT. Foster gave notice that he would move to reconsider.
 Section was then read. It provides that no county, city or town, or other political subdivision, shall be author ized to issue bonds except upon ma 1ority vote of citizens affected, pro- vided it does not apply to bond issues already authorized by law. Nor snail this section apply to issuance of bonds for street and sidewalk improvements or storm or sanitary sewers, the cost of which Is to be assessed against the property abutting said improvements or drained by such sewers.
 Mir Macdonald of Montgomery of- fered an amendment that a tax for street improvements shall not be as- iy,n nf ho inpraa sod Nalna to the property, and that in no case shall the assessment exceed per cent of the value of such property. the bur den of proof to be on the city.
 MT. Macdonald addressed the Conven- tion in support of his proposition. He made a careful argument and said that 1t was in the interest of justice, hon. estv and right.
 Mir Boone of Mobile defended the committee report, and Judge Coleman offered an amendment to the amend ment by striking out that part provid- ing that the burden of proof shall not be on the city and that the assessment shall not exceed 5 per cent.
 On motion of Mir. O'Neal of Lauder dale, the section and amendments were to the Committee.
 Section Withdrawn.
 Section 8 of the Committee report. having been adopted when the Article on Taxation was under consideration. this section was withdrawn by the 
 At this point. MT. Long of Walker sent up a resolution criticising the Montgomery Street Railway Company, which is published elsewhere.
 Section was then read. It prohibits the power of cities and towns to in crease their present indebtedness un- til they are reduced within the limit of the new Constitution.
 Mir. Kirk of Colbert sent up an to exclude the cities of Tus- cumbia and Sheffield from the provis- ions of the section.
 Mir Kirk sent up petition from the City Council of Sheffield and argued in support of his amendment.
 MT. Weatherly spoke against the ex- clusion of any cities, and MT. Car michael of Colbert and Judge Coleman of Greene supported the Kirk amend ment.
 An amendment by the Committee, in- cluding the words except as provided in this Constitution" was adopted, and by a further vote. the Kirk amendment excluding Sheffield and Tuscumbia was adopted.
 Section g. as amended. was then adopted.
 At 6:25 o'clock, on motion of Gen eral Sanford of Montgomery, the Con- vention adjourned until o'clock thiS roOrpipO