The age-herald., 1901-06-30
TAX DISCUSSION
 CONSUMED THE DAY The Rate Probably Will be Re- duced from 75 to 65 Cents WILL NOT ADJOURN JULY 4 The Constitutional Convention Spends the Entire Day Yesterday Dis
 cussing the Clause Fixing the
 State Tax Rate.
WILL NOT ADJOURN JULY 4
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
 Montgomery, June 29-(Special. .)-The convention spent the whole day in debat- ing the tax limit, except the time con- stunned in reading the long lost report of the suffrage committee, which is publish ed in full in another column. The ques- ton is whether the tax limit shall remain at 10 cents per $1O0 or be reduced to 65 cents as reported by the committee. The indications are that the 65 cent limit will be adopted.
 The convention voted down proposition to take holiday on July 4, so the glorious fourth will probably be spent in oratorial pyrotechnics instead of the bona fide fire cracker
 Convention Opens.
 The thirty-third days session of the constitutional convention was called to or der by President Knox at 10 o'clock. Roll call showed no members present. The committee on journal reported 1t was correct. Several leaves of absence were asked for and granted.
 The roll was then called for the purpose of introducing ordinances.
 MT. Beddow of Jefferson offered a reso- lution that when the convention adjourned meet on July 5. MT. Beddow moved that the rules be sespended so as to vote on the rules be suspended so as to note on the resolution but the convention refused to do so.
 MT. Cornwall of Jefferson offered res olution to limit each delegates time for speaking to ten minutes.
 MT. Green of Perry offered an ordinance to prohibit Populists in the State from ac- cepting passes or to appointment to office by the Republican party. It was an ob- | jection ruled out of order and the sten- opraghers order to make no reference to it.
 MT Renfro of Lee offered a resolution to refer legislative provisions and enact ments to. the committee on judiciary. l Mr. Rogers of Sumter offered a reSolu- ton that after January l. 1903, no fer tilizer tax should be levied in excess of i 10 cents ton.
 MT, Rogers of Lowndes offered a res- 1 olutlon to remain in session until 2 l o'clock and dispense with the afternoon sessions It was moved to suspand the rules so as to put the resolution on its l passage. This was done and the reso- 1 lution was adopted.
 Amending Constitution.
 MT. Sanford of Montgomery offered an ordinance to authorize the legislature to amend the constitution by a majority
 
 ratification of the members by vote of the qualified electors of the State.
 MT. Smith of Autauga offered a reso- lution to have the legislature reduce the l tax on fertilizers to an amount not in excess of the cost of inspection.
 Mir. Spraggins of Madison introduced a petition on arbitration, which was not read, but ordered spread on the journal
 MT. Parker of Fillmore offered a resolu- tion to extend the privileges of the floor to Hon. J. J. Sullivan of Pensacola, Fla, who was visiting the convention to ex- press the appreciation of the citizens of West Florida of the hearty expressions l of welcome relative to annexation ex- tended them by the people of Alabama. l The rules were suspended and the reso- 1 lution adopted by rising vote.
 Article 4 Taxation. | The convention then began considera- ton of section of the article on taxa ton, which limited the tax limit to 65 cents on the hundred.
 MT. DeGraffenried of Hale offered an amendment to insert the word seventy instead of "sixty-five' and to provide for i setting aside enough of the levy to pay the interest on the States debt. | He said his amendment was for the side | of safety. We ought to be cautious in 1 this matter. Values of property such as | CT now than they have ever been in the i history of the world. No one had said 1 that the proposed reduction met the ap- 1 proval of the State Treasurer or Audi tor. On the contrary, they feared that a l limit of 65 cents would be insufficient. i Their opinions ought to have weight and be considered No one, he thought would object to that part of the amendment which provided for the payment of the in- | terest on the States debt
 MT. Malone of Henry spoke against the amendment. He thought the 65 cent limit would give more money to the public schools than the 70 cent limit Under l the workings of the 65 cent limit there was a provision for local school taxation. which would be 10 cents on the hundred. | MT. Browne was careful business man and he believed he had proposed the best plan He said he came from a county where there were more children than any other in Alabama, except one to the west | where triplets were born and twins were the rule. We will have an educational qualification some day and it was impor- tant to educate your children.
 MT. Smith Speaks. MT. Smith of Mobile said he believed 1 it was dangerous to reduce the tax limit at all He cited the story of the milk maid and the pail of milk to illustrate | how calculations are upset. There are | unexpected occasions which no man can foresee and which lead us into disaster. Four years ago the committee if they had had these figures would have assured us | of a surplus. Just as sure as time comet round the unexpected expenses which have arisen in the past will occur in the future They count on a reduction of the | interest on the state bonds and so there | -