The age-herald., 1901-06-18
Mr Beddow of Jefferson Tests the Sentiment on
 That Question
ALMOST UNANIMOUS VOTE
General Oates introduces an Ordinance Fixing the Number of Grand Ju- TOTS at 19 and Providing For
 10 Finding True Bills.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MlLLEh.
 Montgomery, June T.-(Special)- promise of the convention to be long drawn out one is causing uneaseness among some of the delegates who don't want to spend long hot summer tinker - ing with the constitution, and through whose minds thoughts of home, sweet home. fit every now and then. Today, Mir. Beddow of Jefferson, probably think ing that if the members paid their own expenses and did not draw any per diem after the fifty-day limit it might hurry them up little, introduced resolution to that effect To get the sense of the convention as to whether it was willing to work without pay after the fifty-day limit. he moved a suspension of the rules so as to immediately put the resolution on it's passage. The convention, how ever, by an almost unanimous vote re- fused to suspend the rules, thereby indi- eating that the idea of work without pay was not at all popular.
 The convention, however, will soon be- gin to have two sessions day, the com mittee on rules having reported favora- ply a resolution to this effect. MT. Dent of Barbour wanted to begin this custom right off, but his resolution to this effect did not pass "by a large majority" or by small one either.
 The convention today was only in ses- sion an hour and really did nothing The main work is still being done by the com mittees. and the Monday sessions of the convention are really too short to accom- plish much.
 F 4 sl aJ
 rS Governor Oates introduced a resolution to fix the number of grand jurors at Eighteen and to allow ten to find an in- dictment This is to do away with the possibility of one or two of them being bribed.
 A petition was read from the Commis- sioners Court of Morgan County asking that county taxes be not reduced. This is the first petition of the kind which the convention has received.
 Convention Opens.
 The twenty-second days session of the convention was called to order by Presi- dent Knox at 12 o'clock. A prayer was of fered by Rev. Dr. Murphy.
 Roll call showed IA members present. A number of leaves of absence were asked for and granted.
 MT. Beddow of Jefferson, by consent, in- troduced a resolution to the effect that at the expiration of the fifty days for which the convention was called per diem be paid to members MT. Beddow moved suspension of the rules that his resolution might be put on It's passage. This was voted down by almost unan- imous vote.
 Mr O'Neal of Lauderdale offered an or dinance to amend section q, article f. so as to require bills read at length on their final passage in the Legislature and the ayes and nays entered in the journal. . Mr Long if Walker rose to question of personal privilege. He referred to an edi- torial in the Advertiser which he said implied that he was opposed to free speech. He said he favored free speech but was opposed to free islander, and he thought the editorial which he had first criticised had slandered the convention.
 Governor Oates introduced an ordinance to fix the number of grand jurors at not less than eighteen, ten of whom may find an indictment.
 MT. Long of Walker by consent. then Introduced his resolution to condemn as unwise and unwarranted the editorial In the Montgomery Advertiser to which he had referred. He moved to suspend the rules to put 1t on Its passage. but the house refused to suspend the rules.
 MT DeGraffenried offered an ordinance to amend section of article so as to provide that the accused could demand copy of the indictment and have compul- sory process for his own witnesses and not be compelled to give evidence against himself.
 The privileges of the floor were extend- cd to the ministers of the gospel who had given their services to the convention.
 Mr. Kyle of Etowah offered an ordi- nance to amend section IA on banks and banking so as to require the General As senbly to enact laws to make all banks exkr4 <a IL 1sr condition. said statements to be publish cd in a newspaper published in the coun- ty where the bank is located.
 Don't Want Taxes Reduced.
 Mir Blackwell of Morgan introduced a petition from the Commissioners Court of Morgan County asking the convention not to reduce the special tax of F of per cent for county purposes.
 MT. Smith of the committee on rules reported favorably a resolution of Mir Browne of Talladega to set the article on taxation for consideration immediately after the regular business. This report was adopted.
 A report was also offered amending rule eleven so as to allow members of com mittee whose report was under consider ation to sit together. This was also adopted.
 substitute was reported for a resolu- tion by MT. DeGraffenried to regulate the sittings of the convention. The substi- tute fixed the hours of meeting at 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. and from D. m. to D. m. This report was laid on the table until the work of the convention should reach stage where it was necessary to act on 1t.
 Want Double Sessions Today.
 Mir. Dent of Barbour offered a resolu- tion by consent to have the convention begin It's afternoon session today. He moved to suspend the rules and put the resolution on it's passage.
 This motion was lost.
 Mir. O'Neal of Lauderdale by consent offered resolution not to extend fur