The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-14

rose to a question of parliamentary I inquiry
 MT. FWhiteside-I ask unanimous con sent to introduce a petition, and have it read.
 The consent was given, and the peti- tion read as follows:
 To the Honorable Constitutional Con-
 vention. Montgomery, Ala:
 Dear Sirs-We respectfully represent that whereas the Railroad Commission appointed by the Governor and paid by l the railroads has proven an entire failure; and whereas the shipper and consumer should have some represen- tation in the naming of rates and mak- ing of rules, by what is otherwise alien and arbitrary power. That whereas the Express, Telephone and Railroad franchises are given by the State. the power of these franchises to tax will be limited by the State. We therefore reuqest that your honorable body will give us a commission, elect ed and paid by the people, and place all franchises, which have power to tax. within their review.
 Anniston Hardware Co.,, J. c. Spence, President: A. W. Bell: Anniston Manu- featuring Company by J. B. Goodwin Treasurer; Adelaide Mills, by F. Robin- son, President; Anniston Manufactur- ing Co.,, by P. A. Howel, Treasurer; Frank Nelson. Jr.; Anniston Supply Co., by owen Reynolds, President; J. NJ. Stringfellow; First National Bank, by J. M. Stringfellow, President, An- niston Iron Mills, J. T. Gardner, Treas urer; Anniston Lime and Stone Co.,, | by R. H. Cobb, President; Connor Cobb Investment and Imp. Co.,, by R. H. Cobb; Talbot Foard; Anniston Banking and Loan Co.,, by M. B. Welcome, President: Anniston National Bank, w. H. McElroy. President; Anniston Elec- tric and Gas Co.,, H. w. Sexton. G. M. i; E. L. Turner & Co.,; Anniston Cordage O.. F. M. Jones, Mgr. Evans Broth- CTS, Hefiin, Ala.; Reid & Co.,, Edwards vile. Ala; W. D. Snow, Model City Brick Works; J. L. Wikle; J. W. Mo- Elrath. McElrath Drug Company, Burns & Billingsworth. John H. Frye, Wellman Brothers, Kohn Brothers, Frank Mcintyre, Sternes Grocery, Adler & Company, J. D. O'Bryant & Company, ILgrams. Anniston Trading Company. l.. H. Csree, B. O. Watson Elam Drug Company by w. H. Elam Secretary; Stickneys Pharmacy by R. H. Stickney; W. E. Lloyd, Anniston Bag Mfg. Co.,, by A. H. Henderson, President.
 MT. deGraffenried-r now renew. my motion.
 The President-And dispense with the call of the standing committees also?
 Mir. deGraffenried-Yes but if any of them have any report to make, Il will not object to it's being submitted. The President-The special matters before the Convention Is the considera- tion of Section of the Article reported by the Committee on State and County ! Boundaries. When the Convention ad- | journed the gentleman from Fillmore | had the floor. The question Is on the amendment to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Hale.
 MT. Parker Qslmore)-Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention, l realize that there Is a spirit of restless ness pervading this Convention this morning, and I regret sir that I did not have an opportunity to conclude my remarks on yesterday afternoon. As I have not before taken up any of tha time of the Convention. I trust that the members of this Convention will bear with me for little while. until l undertake to argue the correctness of the premises upon which we base our | motion to substitute 600 squares miles 1 for 800 square miles as reported by the majority of the committee. The first Is. that this question was not in issue in the campaign, except to a very limit ed extent; the second Is. that the sen- timent of the people is divided. but | largely against reduction ,and the third | Is, that in most of the counties the tax | rate Is already up to the constitutional limit, and hence any reduction in the old counties would decrease their | In nrfn Nt,tf AhA 1or and autonomy of the same, destroy their symmetry. and arouse influences against ratification which under former conditions would be in favor of ratifi- | cation.
 MT. Howell sought recognition.
 The President-Does the gentleman from ElmoIe yield to the gentleman from C1eburne? 5cs
 MT. Parker (Elmorc)-I prefer not to be interrupted now. I will take pleas ure in answering any questions that the gentlemen desires to ask after my time has expired.
 Now. sir. I say that these premises, so far as my investigation goes. can not be disputed. I have sought every avenue of information that has been open to me on this question. I have not sought to cater to the influence of the office holders of Alabama, because have this stack of letters here from them. but, gentlemen of the Conyen ton. you must recognize the fact that office holders in Alabama are a potent influence that may be for or against ratification. as their interests may be affected. and tell you, sir, that per- usal of the stack of letters
 MT. Rogers (Sumter)-Will the gen. tleman permit question?
 MT. Parker (Elmorel-No sir.
 MT. Rogers (Sumter)-For informa- ton
 MT. Parker (Elmore)-I do not want to be discourteous to the gentleman. | but
 Mir Rogers (Sumter)-I would like to ask the gentleman a question.
 The President-The gentleman from | Sumter will be in order. The gentle man declines to yield.
 MT. Parker (Elmore)-As I undertook | to say on yesterday. an abstract made | by me of 163 of these letters shows that Il 80 per cent. answered that this issue l had never been discussed in their coun- | ties; 20 per cent. of them say that 1t | was discussed more or less; 10 per cent. say that the sentiment of the county is in favor of a change; 80 per cent. say that the sentimenet of the county | is against any change of county boun- daries and county areas; per cent. say that a change will not affect the result as to the ratification of the Con stitution: and so per cent. say that it will either defeat it or endanger the ratification of the Constitution. One hundred and thirteen out of 163 say | that inc tax limit is already m to the