The age-herald., 1901-07-11
r LAWMAKERS STILL BUSY
 WITH THE LEGISLATIVE REPORT

debt limit of cities as proposed in the article on taxation be not adopted. He introduced an ordinance to exempt the cities of Sheffield and Tuscumbia from the operation of the provisions of this section.
 The Pending Question.
 The convention then took up the pend ing question which was subdivision 19 of the article on local legislation which defined what the Legislature could not do. This read as follows
 19. Authorizing any township, city, town or village to issue bonds or other securities, except in connection with the readjustment. renewal or extension of the existing municipal indebtedness, created prior to the Constitution of 1S75
 MT. Eyster moved to strike out the en- tire subdivision.
 MT. ONeal, chairman of the commit tee, said there seemed to be an idea that this subdivision would interfere with some local dispensary or local liquor law, but that there was nothing in the subdivision which would have thls effect.
 MT. Dent of Barbour moved to table MT. Eyster's motion which was done.
 Mir. O'Neal then offered amendment to add the word county and to allow the General Assembly to provide by special law for the funding by cities of bonds issued or authorized by law be- fore the adoption of the Constitution. This was adopted and the section as amended adopted.
 MT. DeGraffenreid offered an amend ment to dispense with clerks of commit tees after this week except the commit tees on rules and harmony.
 Subdivision 20 was then adopted as follows
 20 Amending confirming or extend tao ha ot,o rta of nr f11tI- nicipal corporation or remitting the for feiture thereof.
 Subdivisions 21 and g were then adopt ed as follows:
 2 Creating. extending or impairing any lien.
 2. Charterng or licensing any ferry, road or bridge.
 Subdivision 23 was read as follows:
 23 Regulating the Jurisdiction and fees of justices of the peace or the fees of constables.
 MT Long of Walker moved to strike out the word jurisdiction.
 Mir NeSmith of Lamar moved to amend by excepting justices of the peace in towns of 25O0 or more. This brought on some discussion as to that popular off, cial and as to what powers he ought to have.
 MT. Watts moved to table Mr. Ne Smiths substitute which was done. MT. Longs amendment was also tabled.
 MT. Williams of Marengo moved to amend by adding that the office of jus tice of the peace could be abolished in certain sections. This amendment was tabled
 MT. Jones of Bibb moved to strike out the section. This also was tabled and the subdivision adopted.
 Other Divisions.
  adopted as follows:
 24 Establishing separate school dis tricts.
 25. Establishing separate stock dis tricts.
 Subdivision 26 was then taken up. This reads as follows
 26 Creating, increasing or decreas- public officers.
 The following additional subdivisions recommended by special report of the legislative committee were then taken up.
 Subdivision 2 was read as follows and adopted:
 N Exemption of property from taxa tion or from levy or sale. Subdivision 2S was read as follows and adopted:
 28 Exempting any person from jury, road or other civil duty. Subdivision % was read as follows: %. Laying out, opening. altering or working roads or highways.
 MT. Dent moved to amend by adding a proviso that this should not effect counties which already have laws on the subject of working the public roads. He afterwards withdrew his amendment on an explanation of Governor Oates.
 General Harrison of Lee opposed the subdivision as did MT. Carmichael of Colbert.
 MT. Weatherly of Jefferson thought 1t was an unwise restriction on the Legisla- ture Not much of their time had been consumed in these matters and some one should have the right to close up dis used highway.
 MT. Grant of Calhoun favored local leg islation for roads. He referred to the syste em of taxation for roads in his coun- ty and the excellent roads there. He moved to lay the subdivision on the ta- ble.
 Governor Oates, chairman of the com mittee which reported this division, ex- plained that what could not be provided for by general law as to these matters could be made the subject of a special law
 MT. Dent moved to strike out the divis- ion He said enough had been said to demonstrate that the section was of doubtful propriety.
 Subdivision % was then stricken out by a large majority.
 Management oT Schools.
 Subdivision 30 was read as follows: 30 Providing for the management or support of any common or private school, incorporating the same or granting such school any privileges.
 MT. Merrill of Barbour moved to amend the section by adding at the end the words mot now provided for by law" He spoke in opposition to the section as reported which he considered dangerous. MT. Smith of Mobile thought the divis- ion might prove dangerous to the school system of his county, which was the re- suit of a steady development since 1854. He moved to lay the subdivision on the table.
 Governor Oates said the division had no retroactive effect, but that this thing grew and many special privileges were asked for and granted to schools which practice the subdivision intended to pre- vent
 Captain White of Jefferson favored ta- bling the subdivision, because he did not think that certain cities and towns should permanently be allowed certain school privileges which others did not enjoy. If Mobile and Eufaula had the privilege of retaining the proceeds of the license for their schools, he hoped some day to have Birmingham and Montgomery in the same class. He favored equal rights for all Subdivision 30 was then laid upon the table.
 Subdivision 31 was read as follows
 Subdivision 31. Donating any land owned by or under control of the State to any person or corporation.