The age-herald., 1901-07-13
Counties May Also Levy One Mil Tax on ThreG-
 Fifth Vote KNOCKED OUT PROPERTY VOTE
Proposition to Fix Minimum Lint of Counties at 400 Square Miles De- feated--GeneraI Legislation
 Defined by Convention.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
 Montgomery. July 12.--(Special.)- committee on education made its re- port today The main feature of the article as reported by them is a provision for three mill tax as a fixed constitu- tional school fund in lieu of an annual state appropriation. The poll tax and the 18th section fund remain as at present.
 The article provides also for a local county school tax of one mill to be levied by a three-fifths vote of the qualified electors. This does not require a prop erty vote and is a modification of the Browne plan. There is to be state school census every two years on which the county school appropriations are to be based Each race is given school term of the same length and the county authorities will distribute the money equally between the races. There was a minority report as to the State Uni versity The article on local legislation was completed today Section five as re- ported by the committed, which apthor- ized the Legislature to confer ceirain powers on the courts of county commits sioners was voted down and in lieu there of section 25 of article of the present constitution was adopted. This directs the General Assembly to pass general laws under which local and private in terests shall be provided for and pro- teceted. A section was adopted defining what was a general law, and another providing that a general law should not fo l. it a special or local law.
 Another passage between MT. O'Neal and MT. Smith occurred today under the head of personal privilege" Some sar- castle allusions were made, due probably to the extremely hot weather which is affectfhg every one. The convention de- cided afterwards to put in four additional electric fans to keep the delegates cool
 At the afternoon session the conven- tion took up the report of the committee on state and county boundaries. This brought on a discussion to the size of new counties The committee had report ed the minimum size at 300 square miles. Six hundred square miles is the minimum in the present constitution. MT. Howell of Cleburne offered an amendment to fix u menr was finally tabled by vote of v to 36 A similar amendment by MT. Corn wall of Jefferson, who lives at Bessemer. was also tabled.
 This subject was still under discussion when the hour of adjournment arrived.
 Convention Opens.
 The forty-thrd days session of the con- .stitutional convention was called to order by President Knox at 9:SO o'clock. A prayer was offered by Rev. MT. Dix. Roll call showed 120 members present. Several leaves of absence were asked for and granted.
 MT Smith of Mobile arose to question of personal privilege. He said that yes terday during MT O'Nears remarks he had been unable to hear on account of his seat, and had so called to MT. ONeals att tention. He decided, however. to await and read the official report of MT. O'Neals remarks, which, if said, some of the things he said yesterday would have been left unsad. He thought, however, some of the remarks of Mr. ONeal had been left out of the report and that it did him (Smith) an injustice.
 MT. O Meal arose and said the report of his remarks was substantially correct. He then read statement from the report of MT. Smiths remarks stating that he (Mr. Smith) was working for the interest of his people and that his (ONeal's) posi- ton was from pride in sustaining his re- port. He said this statement was unfair. He referred to Mr. Smiths remarks about his (O'Neal's) intellectual abilities and spoke in terms of intense sarcasm of MT. Smiths intellectually, which, he said, lowered in lofty grandeur and alone among the clouds. He referred to him as the mighty Ajax from the Gulf City.
 MT. Smith arose and said again that if MT. O'Neal had said yesterday what he thought he had said he would again peat his remarks calmly and deliberately. He proposed to get from the stenographer . correct copy of what MT. O'Neal had Baid.
 Here MT. Burns exclaimed it was time to proceed to the regular order of busi- ness. Several calls of order and regular business were heard and MT. Smith and Mir. O'Neal took their seats.
 The roll was then called for the intro Auction of ordinances.
 Some Ordinances.
 MT. Carmichael of Coffee intro duced an ordinance to provide that the general assembly could levy only 55-1OO of 1 per cent for a general tax levy. with an extra 21-10O of 1 per cent for soldiers and schools or either.
 MT. Grayson of Madison presented a petition from citizens of Huntsville ask Ing that privilege taxes be abolished.
 Mir Jones of Wilcox introduced an or ainance to provide for the issuing Of bonds in case any foreign territory is annexed.
 Mir Long of Walker introduced the following ordinance
 Whereas, Numerous petitions, signed by "John Smith" Tom Jones'" and many others, If had time to see them and ct als have been mailed to members asking relief on account of the evil re- quilting from the increase of the canine family in Alabama, said petition re- uuesting that dogs be executed by poi son or high taxes" either mode If adopt A by this convention means that the rdogs'' are "goners." and whereas, we. Inc people of Alabama in convention as- ,embled have the right to silence dogs Is well as individuals; therefore, be is resolved, that a committee of eleven nembers among whom shall be included