The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-10

outmatch the fitful and clumsy laborD1 of disinterested citizens. The transfer of the control of the localities to the State Capitol had no other effect than to cause the transfer of the methods and arts of corruption. and to make tbe fortunes of our principal cities the traf- fic of the Hobbies.
 Municipal corruption, previously con- fined to within territorial limits, thenceforth escaped every bound and spread to all parts of the State. Cit- ies were compelled by legislation to buy lands for parks, and places be- cause the. owners wished to sell them, compelled to grade, pave and sewer streets without inhabitants, and for TO other purpose than to award corrupt contracts for the work. Cities were compelled to purchase at the public ex- pense and at extravagant prices, the property necessary for streets and ave- nues. useless for other purposes than to make a market for the adjoining property thus improved. Laws were enacted abolishing one office and creat- ing another with the same duties in or- der to transfer official emoluments from one man to another and laws to change the functions of officers with view only to a new distribution of patronage. and to lengthen the terms of office for no other purpose than to retain in place officers who could not otherwise be elected or appointed"
 The picture so elaborately drawn of the dangers of this class of local legis- ation has fortunately not been realized in this State. We cannot, however, doubt that with the growth and devel- opment of municipal corporations in this State. the same evils in the future will arise unless we now remove the cause of this danger to honest govern ment. Although the corruption por- trayed has not yet developed in Ala bama, we can not fail to recognize ths fact that this constant tinkering by ths legislature with municipal affairs, and local self.government, has already in. creased to an alarming extent in this State and has become a serious evil. The Committee has given this subject special attention and are led to believe that the adoption of their report will ramove the danger of evils from this t4ass of legislation in Alabama. They have sought to prevent the legislature from interfering with municipal gov- ernments or the conduct of municipal affairs.
 MT. President. your Committee rcc- ognized that one of the most frequent modes in which the legislature adopted special laws was by amending gen. eral law by excepting from it's opera ton certain counties and cities iii this State Another plan was to pass what purported to be a general law but which was in fact a special law. This we have expressly prohibited.
 Mir. President-The danger in pri- vate or special bills became so mani- fest in England over fifty years ago as to lead to the adoption of quasi judicial board for their consideration. Such bills are brought into the British Parliament by petition and three months notice by advertisement must be given before Parliament meets and a copy of the bill must be filed some weeks before the opening of the ses- sion. After the second reading instead of being considered in the committee of the whole, the bill is referred to special committee of four who exercise a kind of judicial function. They take evidence in regard to the bill from promoters and opponentsa hear argu- mrnt of counsel and make their report. It would be regarded as improper to attempt to influence the decision or this Committee as it would with us to influence the decision of our Supreme Court. With us. however. such oills are treated as public bills. They are
  and if supported by the local member are generally reported favorably and passed without question. In England instead of the lobby there is a trained body of men who represent parties promoting such bills, known as Par llamentary agents. These agents are controlled by a code of ethics as bind- ing as the code of ethics that govern attorneys at law. No improper or questionable methods to secure the passage of local or private bills iS tol- srated. Mir. ,PTesident, the forces of evil have grown too strong to yield without a struggle. The experience of States which have attempted to lessen the mischief of local or special legisla- tion, show that even the most stringent provisions do not prevent evasions. We can not hope that our efforts Will prove completely successful in remov- ing from our legislation this danger. but we do believe that we have proht- ed by the experience of our own and other States and that by the provisions of the article we have reported. local or special legislation will be largely eliminated and its evil minimized.
 We all realize the truth of MT. Jef- ferson's declaration that too much leg islation is one of the greatest dangers of a Republic. The growth of the pa- ternal idea of government in recent years has become alarming. Men who desire reform for some fancied ill of society immediately seek legislative enactment and the result Is that the statute books are teeming with penal laws or restrictive legislation on all most every conceivable subject. lndi- vidual enterprise and the pride of per sonal freedom are sacrificed and the itizen is being taught that be must moi look to the press, public sentiment or education and the precepts of relligor and morality for relief from the evils of social life, but to the Legislature. We forget that that community is best governed which Is least governed; tha personal freedom is being destroyed anc the citizen hedged in with innumer able statutes, relief from which he only secures by their non-enforcement.
 Sumptuary laws, that veX and op- press are being poured out by every session of the Legislature in a con- fusing mass and today we are the most governed people in the world. We submit to restraints on our personal freedom which in almost any other civ ilized country would provoke revolu- tion.
 MT. Carmichael (Colbert)--I, rise to parliamentary inquiry.
 The President-The gentleman will state his parliamentary inquiry.
 Mir. Carmchael--I would like to in- quire how long the gentleman has been speaking.
 The President-The gentlemans time tNn. 11N