The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-01

' hnA2 A0N3tNAk0A VIII CW& 0xk Llc l introduce an ordinance on an entirely different subject from those already embraced in the present constitution.
 1t certainly would not have the effect ! of cutting off such right. He would | then simply introduce an ordinance to amend the constitution of Alabama, by adding thereto separtte article upon a separate subject. if 1t was nec- essary to have separate article. If | the amendment would not properly come under any of the present sub. I divisions of the constitution, he would
 simply offer an ordinance to amend the
 whole constitution by adding a sepa- | rate article, upon separate subject. MT. President, the reason of this | resolution is simply for the purpose of
 putting the delegates upon notice that in writing an amendment to the same section of the same article, 1t is un- necessary for them to re-write the other sections of the same article. Mr. White-I desire to ask the gen. tleman from Talladega. haven't we exactly that right now?
 Mir. Browne-We have that right now, except
 Mr. White-That he does not know
 it.. Gaughter.l MT. Browne-But I will state for the | great many delegates are writing
 amendments to certain sections, and for | the purpose of amending certain sec- tions are rewriting the whole article. when 1t is entirely unnecessary, but even after the adoption of. this resolu- | tion if any delegate is so fond of writ. | ing that he still desires to re-write the whole article as well as the section he proposes to amend. he can still do | so. MT. Willett-what is the object then of the adoption of the report of the Committee on Rules?
 MT. Browne-Simply for the purpose | of allowing all delegates to understand l it is not necessary, and with the hope | that we will not have more than one hundred ordinances here retaining the | rate of State taxation at three.Quarters of one per cent Mr. O'Neal (Lauderdale)-The reso- lution I have offered has been very | fully explained to the convention by | the delegates from Mobile and Hale. certainly would not have offered 1t if It was susceptible of the construction given to 1t by the gentleman from Jeff ferson. The resolution as will be seen
 by reading. very carefully and explicitly saves and excepts the right to change,
 
 particular Any delegate can alter.
 or amend. or add to the present consti- tuition in any respect that he sees proper. As we know, it is apparent to every delegate of this convention who has listened to these ordinances which have been read for the past
 week, that @ large number of them have been simply repetitions of the present constitution. The purpose of this resolution was to prevent this un-
 necessary consumption of the time of the convention. The purpose of this resolution was to offer to the conven- tion a basis for action, to that 1t would be understood that every provision of the present constitution was a law un- til 1t was changed, altered or amended by this convention.
 MT. Long lWalker)-Would not the adoption of that resolution have the effect of disfranchising the members of this convention? (Laughter.) MT. O'Neal (Lauderdale)-It would not have any such effect Any member of this convention could offer any reso- lution or ordinance that he saw proper. If he desires, as the gentleman from Talladega has suggested, to repeat word for word the language of the pre- sent constitution, why there could be
 no objection, except on the ground of bad taste. Tn South Carolina and in other States where recent constitutions have been framed, this is the plan that was adopted.
 MT. Carmichael (Colbert)-Several of the members would like to hear the resolution read which was offered py
 the gentleman from Lauderdale. The resolution was read again. Mr. O'Neal Gauderdale)-As I was
 proceeding to observe-in South Caroli-
 na, and other States where conventions
 have recently been held. the proceed
 ings of those bodies will show that a
 vast amount of time has been saved by
 obviating the necessity of repeating in
 the resolutions and ordinances which
 have been adopted, the provisions of the constitutions of those States. For instance in South Carolina, the amend ments have been made simply as sug-
 gested by the gentleman from Jeffer- son, by striking out, or by adding cer- tain words, or expressions, in certain sections of the constitution, but we have for the past few days sat here and listened to the reading of the constitu-
 ton of Alabama, section by section. and clause after clause, without single change being made. Now the act, under which this constitution was called
 MT. Walker-Am correct in
 understanding that the purpose of the
 Rules Committee is simply for the pur-
 pose of getting rid of the difficulty and
 waste of time in the introdpction of repetitions of the present constitution.
 MT. O'Neal CLauderdale)-Certa
 that is the purpose.
 MT. Walker-Well I desire to ask the further question, if that cannot be ac- complished by some such rule as this,- that the Convention will not receive or consider ordinances or propositions merely repeating articles, sections or provisions of the present Constitution, without going further and adopting the anomalous parliamentary proceeding of adopting provisions before they have been revised, and of leaving the revis- ion and amendments subsequently to be made.
 MT. O'Neal Gauderdale)-I under stand that is accomplished by the res oluution which the Committee on Rules has reported. I do not think it anomalous.
 MT. Walker-My question is, Is it necessary to accomplish that object to go through the form of adopting the Constitution as a whole before it has been revised and amended, as we are directed by the people to do.
 MT. O'Neal (Lauderdale)-We adopt it subject to such amendments and alterations as this Convention may see fit to make. We do not adopt 1t as the Constitution, but adopt 1t as stated sub ject to any changes or alterations or amendments that we desire to make.
 MT. Duke-Under the call for this IA