The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-21

pie will kn ,, . -'t h., ' will ap- prove it.; if < al cir inter- ests. they wi. d.5a- .. l. l hope that such an uul-. A. - vi not be voted down or js .a 'la assure my friends who pres, rg 1r~rH stions upon the floor thS .tay c~- : go into mysteries upo. ts ui ec tor fear of affecting ra l~'~ Z. E h't intended to affect ra G l. h. tended to affect the COL u,u 'l-. Fica undertake to grant sul suc" 9 e. the municipalities, the t.ts al tr' towns, and hope that ina. lg n A- h. people have suffered from '-- N'-N gomery has rot recovered fro " years franchise or grant wi ts if consent of the people, and fro. they have endured great evil-ta ITS amendment to the report will L' certed hy the Convention.
 Mir weaklev (Lauderdale)-l syi'i '-- thize, to some extent. and agree -' the gentleman, that there should pe limitation upon the length or pupIc franchises. I do not think, now ever, that the matter or a grant oi franchises should be referred to pop uIar election It seems to me that such a course would lead to corruption in municipal politics, and inasmuch as this subject has been fairly presented to this Convention and voted down, l do net see the need of any further dis- cussion upon the subject and I move to lay the amendment of the gentleman from Montgomery on the table.
 Upon vote being taken. the motion to table prevailed.
 MT. white-I wish to offer an amend- ment.
 The Secretary read the amendment as follows:
 Section -. A Railroad Commission iott nf . ident and two associates. One or saio Commissioners shall be learned in the law, one of experience in railroad bus- iness, all of whom shall be elected by the qualified electors of this state. The term of office of said Commiss oners shall be four years, and shall begin at the expiration of the term of the pres ent Railroad Commission. One or the Commissioners shall be elected at the general election in 1902. and every four years thereafter, the other two at the general election in 1904, and every four years thereafter. Their compensation shall be fixed by the Legislature and paid as other State officers, and their duty shall be to carry out the pro- visions of this Constitution and all laws enacted relating to the transportation of freight and passengers by railroads in this State, and to discharge such other duties and exercises such other powers as may Dc conferred upon them by law. No person owning any stock or having any interest in any railroad, or who Is the agent or employe of any railroad corporation or company. shall be eligible to the office of Railroad Commissioner.
 The President-The question will be upon the adoption of the amendment offered as an additional Section to the Article on Corporations.
 Mir. White-I do not wish to discuss this matter. think it is very well un- derstood. This Section simply makes the Railroad Commissioners a consti- tutional office, makes them elective by the people, fixes their term of office at four years, and provides that they shall succeed the present Railroad Commis- sioners, that they shall discharge the duties imposed upon them by this Con- stitution and such other duties as may be imposed upon them by law. The principle is right. The people, especial ly the people of Alabama, are capable of f-government, and 1t is right that they should select all officers. They can select Supreme Court Justices, the Chief Justice and other State officers, they certainly have the capacity and can be trusted with the selection of Railroad Commissioners, and as a gen.. tleman suggests, eighteen States of the
 
 missioners in this way. As I\said, do not care to take up the time of this Con- vention, 1 have no doubt that every man in it has made up his mind one way or the ether, and that a discussion of it will not change the result. know one thing, that the business men of Alabama, the industrial people of Alabama, are anxious that something should be done to make the Railroad Commission effectual, to have it carry out the purposes for which it was de- signed, but I will not debate it further, l simply submit the question.
 M:. Murphree-Mr. President, the gentleman's position is exactly in ac- cord with mine. and my recollection $ I introduced an ordinance to that ef- feet. These matters were all consid- cred by the Committee. and after ma ture delfbcration, we came to the con clusion that We would adopt the Section reported by the Committee. regret very mucn to have to take the posi- tion. but In justice to myself and the agreement entered into on the part of myself and the other members of the Committee, I must move to lay the amendment upon the table
 Upon vote being taken, the motion to table prevailed.
 Mir. Graham CMontgomery)-I ask unanimous consent from the Convsntion tO add an amendment to Section 1 of the ArtiLle. I desire to explain it that the Convention may understand 1t. Section 4 of the Article cXempts benev- olent. educational and religious corpor- atfons from paying the franchise tax, that is. foreign corporations. In other words, the Section eexmpts fotelGn cor porat ons from paying the franchise tax. that is. religious or educational institutions. Section is applicable, to domestic corporations, and they are not exempted from it Therefore. I offer this amendment ana ask unanimous consent that il be adopted. -..@
 The Secretary reaG the amendment as follows: -.--. .-: >-.: :.
 Add to Section l the following: But strictly benevolent. educational or re- ligious corporations shall not be re- Quired to pay suIh tax.
 Tha Presideat--The gentleman from Montgomery asks unanimous consent that this amendment may De incorpor- ated in Section i of the Article. The Chair hears no objection, and it is so ordered.
 Mr Harrison-I now move that the Article be engroSsed and ordered to a third reading, and on that 1 move the previous question.
 Mr. O'Nea-I will ask the gentleman