The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

tuition. In my judgment the most popu- tar thing We could do if we look at t purely from that standpoint. would pc 10 say to the people of Alabama you may deposit your money in private banks and you shall enjoy the same safeguards and protection that are siven to depositors in Nationd institu- tions, Say to those who deposit tneir little mites in these private banks. oe- cause in many places there are no banking institutions. you have q right to go and read the papers and as certain the condition of the institution, whether 1t is/solvent or insolvent, ana It shall no longer be a net to draw in the unwary. the Ignorant and the poor.
 Now | have no connection with, bank of any kind. State or National The only connection have unfortun- ately Is to frequently be on the wrong side of the ledger. but this Is a matter of principle. and I think that meas ure of this kind is demanded by the people of Alabama. think measure of this kind will 90 far towards let" ting the people of Alabama un- derstana that we are here to protect the great masses of people, uninfuenc- ed by power. or by any institutions of this kind. Why the gentleman inti- mates that if we undertake to pass this measure. if we undertake to say that these institutions must be examined. it will array all these private institu- tfcns against the ratification of the Constitution. l am sure that argu- ment will not prevail with this Con- ventfon. Are we to truckle to any class of people in this State. Are we to faiter In the discharge of our honest duty. because 1t may array the money ed clasees a4ainst the ratification or this Constituttou7 When we pander to the moneyed classes to an extent that we do injustice to the great masses of the people in Alabama, then we ought to be condemned. Why the gentleman says 1t will be expensive and the State Examiners-
 MT. Reese-Does the gentleman think it wise or expedient that we should multiply issues which might become unpopular and might work against the ratification of this Con- stitution?
 Mir. O.Neal-No, I do not think 1t
 wise to multiply issues. We are not multiplying issues. We are simply passing such a bank law as exists in every other State almost. We simply pass a law to furnish protection to the public, and it Is our duty to do that. We do not intend to do any injustice to any private bank, or any private banking institution. If I believed, with the gentleman from Sumter that the effect of this law would be to in- jure any of these institutions. would certainly oppose 1t. but I think he is under a misapprehension. think that such legislation as this. or such a Constitutional provision, would go far towards restoring the confidence of the public in such institutions. and making them strong and powerful In Alabama. That is my honest judgment.
 Now in reference to the matter or expense. We have in this State Q number of examiners. appointed by the Governor. Examiners who are skilled accountants, and whose business it Is to examine the State and State officials. Why could not these examiners per form these duties without any adai- tional expense? It could be done with out . dollar of expense to the State. The State is now paying these ex- aminers--
 Mir. Rogers (sumter)--I have not | said anything about expense.
 Mr. O'Neal (Lauderdale)-Thea argu- ment has been made here in opposi- tion to this section that 1t would en- tail useless expense, unnecessary ex- pense upon the people of Alabama. and create a number of unnecessary offices l say in answer to that argument, that the bank examiners appointed now by the Governor. receiving a salary, could be ordered by him to make an exam nation without dollars additional cost to the people of Alabama.
 The President-The gentleman time has expired.
 MT FIafchAr-Tho DupnNaa nf the Committee in the adoption of that Sec ton was the protection of the people We thought as matter of fact that private individuals where confidence was reposed in them by people depos- ittng money with them would certain ly have no objection to making an cx- hibit of the fidelity and good faith with which they acted in reference to their money. We do not propose to take advantage of any private institu- ton in the State of Alabama nor had We any purpose to reflect on any rrt- vate banking institution of Alabama our only purpose was for the D. otec- ton of the people. Private banks. like public ones. ought not to have any ob. jections to making an exhibit to the people who have had confidence in them and who have placed their money with them. Now, MT. President, this mat
 ter has consumed enough of the time | of this Convention and 1t was fully discussed on yesterday and adopted by the Convention, and I move to lay the
 motion to reconsider on the table. MT. Rogers (sumter)-Under a prop.
 osition to lay upon the table as the
 mover of this resolution, have I moi a right to close? The President-The question is unor the motion of the gentleman from
 Madison to lay upon the table the mo. ton to reconsider. As many as favor
 the motion to table will say aye. ana those opposed no. It seems to th.
 Chair the ayes have 1.-the ayes have | it. "' MT. Rogers-Division.
 | MT. O'Neal-I make the point of or. | der that the gentleman did not make
 q cal! Tor division until the Presl.
 oent had stated that the ayes had it,
 was made.
 Mr. Williams (Marengo)-I hope th, Snalr Will allow the division. | MT. Rogers--I call for a division anG
 await the pleasure of the Chair: if i,
 purely for the Chair to decide ana
 ! am perfectly willing to repose in the
 justice of the Chair without any in,
 terterence from you gentlemen on the
 The President--The Chair paused af
 ter announcing that 1t seemed to the
 Chaif that the ayes had it, and looked
 m the direction of the gentleman iron
 sumter, supposing that probably A di.
 vlslon might be called for. The gen.