The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-16

adopt this two-thirds rule that the peo- ple would never he able to move court houses hereafter, and while I don't think that this Committee Intentionally oyer-reached the great principles of the Democratic party, I think 1t was cer- tainly . little mtptalke they made, as the principles of the Democratic party, the majority ruling. will certainly meet all the safeguards that anybody would want. Now. gentlemen. l don't want to consume the time of this Conven- tion. wish to close and move the previous question with my amendment.
 The President--The gentleman from Marion moves the previous question upon his amendment offered by him this morning. The question is, shall the main question be now put?
 Mir. waddell-I ask the gentleman to withdraw that for a moment. will renew 1t.
 MT. Pierce-If you will allow me to reinstate my motion. will withdraw it.
 MT. waddell--I will renew the mo- ton when I conclude nay remarks.
 Mir. Pierce-very well.
 MT. waddell--But our governmental system is not founded on majority rule. On the contrary, our whole fa- DTlC WAS WOtCu uPOA = AhAShVHS tuC- ory altogether. Our forefathers saw the evil of this rule and placed a check and true balance wheel upon its operation. The President of the United States is not elected by majority vote, and the Senate of the United States was created for the sole purpose of putting a check upon the House of Representatives and the veto power was given to the President in order that this check might be enforced both against the Senate and the House. Then why should we attempt to en- force this rule here when the inter- ests of our smaller subdivisions are so vital? Our State Government has re- cognized the principle. and has given this power to the Governor and to the Senate. Our counties and county seats are vitally affected by this moving. We vote 6 burden upon the tax payers of the county by a mere majority of one. and the probability is that nine .tenths or all of the tax payers Tn a county would be opposed to the re- nova. We create an enormous debt upon them without allowing them a voice In the matter. whereas. If we placed 1t upon a two-thirds basis they would have a chance to protect them selves. There are vested rights, Mir. President, in a county seat, the old county seats of the State. which should not be ruthlessiy violated by a bare majority vote. Is it right that those that have to bear the burden
 Mir. Howell--Will the gentleman per- init me to ask him a question?
 The President-Will the gentleman yielG.
 MT. Waddell--No, not at present.
 The Presidept--The gentleman de- clines to yield.
 Ms. Waddell-Is 1t right that those that have to bear the expense and bur den of the removal should have no voice in the matter? It is upon this theory that checks have been placed upon our National and State govern ments. It would be oppression if 1t were otherwise. In fixing "a two-thirds rate We give tax payers chance and a voice in the election. We relieve to great extent that feeling of anxiety which has been constantly manifesting itself in the Legislature of our State in the shape of local bills to perma- nently locate county seats and put the people of the several counties at rest upon the question, without preventing where it is absolutely necessary re- moval of the county seat. Wherever it Is absolutely necessary to have a removal, there will always be two- thirds of the people in favor of it. This matter of keeping the court houses Of our State on wheels, so to speak, is the cause of more local strife than all the other questions with which our people have to deal. These evils were apparent to this committee. and in their wisdom they have solved the question. and in my opinion, Mr. President, they have wrought great good to the whole people if this report be adopted. Let us rally to their SUD- port in their attempt to give to the people government more in accord ance with our institutions. MT. Pres ident, call for the previous question.
 M. Greer (Calhoun)-I would like to ask the gentleman question.
 The President-Will the gentleman permit a question?
 Mir. Waddell-Yes sir.
 Mr. Greer-I would like to ask the gentleman If his theory that 1t should take two-thirds to locate a county seat does not give to the men who live at the county seat just twice as much power as those who are less fortunately situated?
 Mr. Waddell-It does not.
 MT. Pierce-May I ask kthe gentle man a question?
 The President-Does the gentleman yield to the gentleman from Marion?
 MT. Waddell-Yes, sir.
 MT. Pierre-I did not want to in- terrupt you, but in your speech you said our forefathers advocated the doctrine of two-thirds vote. l just want to know for information how long has it been since that crowd died.
 Mir. Waddell-The National Conven- ton. I think recognized that
 MT. Pierce-The Government has not done 1t since l have been living.
 Mir. ONeal (Lauderdale)-Wi.i you withdraw you. motion until I can of- fer an amendment?
 MT. Waddell-L will with the consenl of the gentleman from Marion.
 MT. ONeal-Will the gentleman from Marion consent to withdraw?
 M;. Pierce-No sir, We cannot do that.
 M!'. WaGdell-I call for the previous question.
 Mr. Pierce Withdraw nothing.
 The President-Tbe previous question Is demanded.
 Mf. Heflin (Chambers)-Will the gentleman please withdraw that for the purpose of allowing an amendment?
 Mir. Pierce-No sir.
 Mir. O'Neal-I raise the po.nt of or der that the motion is not seconded,
 The President-The question is, shall the main question be now put?
 Mf. Pierce-I call for an aye and nay vote.
 The President-The question is, shall the main question be put?
 Mr. Pierce-I withdraw the request T