The age-herald., 1901-09-20

sustain education. The new constitution, of its own vigor, appropriates about eight times as much as the old constitution. The new instrument preserving all the old sources of revenues, appropriated each year to the public schools nearly one-half of all the taxes levied and col lected by the State, and enjoins upon the Legislature the increase of this fund from time to time as the resources of the State may justify Power Is given coun- ties to levy special tax, not to exceed ten cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property therein, for the support of the public schools when voted by three-flfths of the voters at the cleo tion, subject to the limitation that the rate of State and county taxation per an- mum must not be increased to more than one dollar and twenty-five cents on each one hundred dollars of property. exclud- ing special taxes for bridges and payment of debts existing in 1875.
 Acknowledgement has been made in the constitution itself of a just debt to the university, and provision made for the payment of interest thereon. Change has been made In the mode Of appoint ment of it's trustees, which those most in- terested in the university believe will re- dound to It's welfare. Greater stability has been given to the board of trustees of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute by longer terms to Its trustees.
 The new instrument has gone to the verge of the ability of the State to sus- tain and increase schools; and as the State grows In wealth, the Constitution, by It's own operation, will corresponding ly increase the public contributions to the cause of education. What better response could be made to the impulse of our peo- pie for more and better schools?
 Taxation.
 The State tax on property has been de- creased from 75 cents per annum on the hundred dollars to 65 cents on the hun dred dollars. Debts for the rent or hire of real or personal property. while own ed by the landlord or hirer during the year of such rental or hire, are not tax able, If the property itself has been as- sessed at its full value
 To meet emergencies, the power of the Governor has been extended to negotiate temporary loans to the amount of $200,000. Counties are forbidden to levy a greater rate of taxation per annum than one half of l per centum; but an additional one-fourth of per cent may be collected for debts existing at the ratification of the constitution of 1875. To meet debts incurred for the maintenance of public buildings or bridges, a county may levy tax of one-fourth of per centum Un- der the existing constitution, the rate of taxes for such purpose Is unlimited. Cities, towns and villages, with a few excepted by name whose necessities and debts demanded the exception, are for bidden to levy a higher rate of taxation per annum than one-half of per centum upon the property, as assessed for State taxation during the preceding year.
 The Legislature Is authorized to levy tax Of not more than 2h per centum on the value of any real of personal proper ty situate in this State, where the same passes by the laws of descent, or by will nR trncr fr-1Yw a..R I~4.x any person. other than the father, moth- CT, husband, wife, brothers, sisters or children or lineal descendants of the per son owning such estate.
 Increasing the Power of the People.
 One prominent object of the new instru- ment Is to bring the government nearer to the people. To this end election Is con- 1ded to them of some officials heretofore chosen by the Legislature: the reouire- ment ds made in case of vacancies, orfg1- nal or otherwise. in executive and Judicial offices, that the people fill the office at the next election for any State officer: that counties, cities, towns and villages before issuing bonds, must obtain an ap- proving vote of their electors, and that a majority of the qualified electors of a county, voting at an election for that purpose, can alone authorize the removal of county site.
 Lessening the Number and Frequency
 of Elections.
 While providing for effective control by the people of their government, 1t has been one of the aims of the new instru- mert to save the people from the expense and turmoil of an unnecessary number or frequency of elections. The constitution of the United States requires the holding of an election for Representatives in Con VI re Ind constitution there must also be separate elections every two years for all the executive officers and members of the Legislature. Every fourth year these of- ficers and sheriffS must be elected Every sixth year every officer of the State legislative, executive or judicial-is elect ed. These frequent elections, and the can vases which precede them, have become a great burden to the people, largely di- vertdng them from their ordinary pur- suits, and promoting instability In the execution of the laws and policies of gov ernment. To relieve the people from this expense and vexation the terms of the executive officers and members of the Legislature have been heightened to four years, and all State and Federal elections are to be held on the same day. In view of the contingency of 1t again becoming advisable to hold the State and Federal elections at different times the LegIsla- ture is authorized to change the time of elections. It is confidently believed that these changes will be grateful to the peo- pie and conducive to the public good.
 Declaration of Riahts.
 The only marked changes under this head are that an application for change of venue for a defendant in jail or other legal place of confinement may be heard on his application. without the personal presence of the defendant, and the courts may, for reasons defined by law, discharge Juries from the consideration of any case without the prisoners gaining advantage thereby.
 Legislative Department.
 The changes In this article are far reaching and important. By ''the law of the land' we hold all that we have The rights and interests of the people are most securely guarded, when the law, under the same circumstances, is the same for all men. Without this, there is no equality before the law" For years past this great rule of just and good gov ernment has been ignored by our General Assembly. Local legislation and private laws have been the rule, and general legislation the exception. Rights and privileges have been conferred with lib- eral hand upon favored individuals and localities, which could not be had by others under the general law. The time of legislators has been devoted almost wholly to matters of no concern to the general public. The interests seeking special favors thronged legislative halls with lobbyists, absorbing the time and distracting the attention of members The usefulness of a member has come to be A-