The age-herald., 1901-06-28

the report. Mir. Foster replied that h had never attended it's meetings.
 The committee on schedules and print ing made a report as to certain debti amounting to $302 being for convention expenses.
 MT. Howell of Cleburne introduced ar ordinance ta limit the pay of clerical as sistance to the enrolling clerk at 15 centl l per hundred words. He said the enroll. ing clerk had been paid 5 day, and clerks were paid $4 a day whether there was work done or not and he wanted il paid for at so much per 100 words. It was moved to suspend the rules. Some discussion followed between MT. Howell, Judge Robinson, Judge Cobb, Mir. Car michael of Colbert MT. Proctor and Judge Howze, and the resolution was finally referred to the committee on rules.
 The sheri,fs and Clerks.
 The president then read a communica- tion from the sheriffs. Clerks and Resis- ters Association of the State This re- cited that the main purpose of the con- vention was to disfranchise the negro. and recited further the recent action of the convention in providing that sheriffs could be removed from office by the Governor during impeachment proceed ings, and making him ineligible to succeed himself. It asked that these be removed, that the chancery courts be not abol- ished; that counties be not reduced in area and that county officers be allowed to succeed themselves. It was referred to the committee on executive.
 Captain White Speaks.
 Captain White then resumed his argu- ment where he had left off yesterday, at the hour of adjournment, in support of hfq o01anHrna0f In 1 nf ho article on taxation. This amendment prohibited any tax being levied for the inspection of merchandise in excess of the cost of the inspection. This in a diff ferent form brought up again the sub ject of fertilizer tax.
 If the farmer does not pay this tax, said MT. White then every national Democratic platform has been wrong, which declares that the consumer pays the tax. The Republicans claim that the manufacturer pays 1t, but who is right? Every ten years this fertilizer tax amounts to million dollars. It Is h. creasing annually. Why impose upon this one class-the class which provides more wealth than all other classes--this tax?
 MT. Foster asked Captain White if, un- der his agreement, the Legislature did not have to ascertain the amount of the cost. Tt does." said Captain White. My amendment simply limits It's power of taxation to the amount of the cost" He said his amendment was not quite as comprehensive as he wanted it to be. so he offered a substitute, which provides that no tax shall be imposed or license required of the manufacturer or producer of any commodity or merchandise in sell ing or exchanging the same. and no in- spection tax or license shall be imposed for the inspection or analysis of any such commodity or merchandise In excess of the inspection or analysis, provided the tag tax now imposed by law shall remain in force until September 30. 1903. and pro- vided further that its provisions should not apply to the manufacture of vinous, spirituous or malt liquors
 At this point the convention adjourned until p. m.
 Afternoon Session.
 The convention met again at 8 o'clock, with 137 members present.
 Captain White continued his address. Ills substitute, he said, only provided that the producer or manufacturer could not be taxed on their sales. we claim" he said, that the appropriation of the funds from the fertilizer tax to the agricultural schools was wrong because one class paid the tax and all classes could attend the schools. He asked unanimous consent that the substitute take the place of his amendment which was done.
 MT. McMillan of Wilcox said he had seen 1t demonstrated on the floor of the Legislature that the Legislature would not pass any bill looking to an abolish ment of the fertilizer tax. and he hoped the convention would therefore make some provision to stop 1t. It was class legislation, and 1t was wrong to charge the farmers s96,0O0 for what could be done for about s5000
 MT. Sanford of Pike said that certain innuendoes had been uttered on the floor to the effect that his position against the fertilizer tax was in some way inspired by the fact that a large fertilizer factory was in his county. He denied that this had anything to do with his motives, which were wholly disinterested. If this convention, he said, has the right to rem edy this evil why should it hesitate to do SO? He proceeded to Illustrate how the farmer paid the tax without seeing it. MT. Stanford was asked several questions by MT. O'Neal of Lauderdale and Judge Coleman of Greene as to the legal effect of Captain Whites substitute, Judge Cole man characterized 1t as serious and said it would prohibit the levying of all taxes, even ad valorem taxes. Mir. Sanford de- nied that 1t would have this effect Judge Howze asked him if 1t would not prevent the levying of license tax on the sales of sewing machines, bowie knives and other such articles. Mir. Sanford said 1t would if they were sold by the manufac- turers Here MT. Samford's time expired.
 Browne of TaIladega.
 MT. Browne of Talladega then spoke against the substitute. If 1t is adopted, he said, we come at once to the Henry George idea of a single tax. We could no longer levy any license taxes and would have to double the tax on real es- tate and violate the pledge in the plat form that taxes should not be increased. If we abolish this fertilizer tax we might as well abolish the tax on sewing ma chimes because the women of the State pay this tax If the fertilizer tax is abol- ished we will have to double the tax on the farmers and land then you can go home and see how much this pleases him.
 Judge Cobb of Macon said he wanted to enter solemn protest against loading down the constitution with matters for eign to it. He then sent to the clerk s desk and had read a criticism on the SoIlth