The age-herald., 1901-08-21


 though they leave ratification to al committee will be named and a can
 The prevailing opinion here is t
 will be made chairman of the camp
  moved, therefore, to lay the section on the table which was done,
 Old and New Sections.
 Section 19 was then read as follows:
 Sec. 19. No railroad, canal or other transportation company in existence at the time of the ratification of this consti- tution shall have the benefit of any fu- ture legislation by general or special laws, other than in execution of a trust created by. law or by contract, except on the condition of complete acceptance of all provisions of this article
 This Is section 9 in the present consti- tuition and 1t was adopted without de- bate. This was the last section in the ar- ticle reported.
 MT. Thompson of Bibb offered a new section which provided that no person or corporation engaged in mining can con- demn right of way under lands of an- other for more than 800 feet unless they follow section or quarter section lines. He spoke In favor of his amendment ex- plaining that it would prevent section being cut In two, thus beneiting the landowner and not inconveniencing the mining company to any extent.
 MT. Long of Walker said the amend ment ought to provide that the passage could follow subdivision lines. He moved to table the amendement which was done. General Sanford moved 10 amend by adding a new section providing that no city shall grant a municipal franchise for a period of fifty years without submitting the question to vote of the qualified electors. This amendment was tabled
 Captain White of Jefferson introduced section providing for railroad commits tion of three members to be elected by the people for four years, one to be learned. in the law and one learned in the railroad business. They are to discharge the duties imposed upon them by this constitution and such other duties as may be imposed upon them by law.
 Captain Whites Ordinance.
 Captain White made a brief statement in favor of his amendment. He said that eighteen states had such provision and that the business people of the State were anxious for such a commission
 MT. Humphree of Pike said this matter had been fully considered before the com mltIee, ana 0e I1ONtu u ldDiC liiC oAAAcAN- ment, which was done.
 By unanimous consent section 1 of the article was amended so as to provide that a franchise tax should not be required of strictly benevolent or religious corpora tions.
 The article was then ordered engrossed and to a third reading.
 Captain White then moved to reconsider the vote whereby his amendment was ta- bled.
 He stated that he desired an aye and nay vote on the question.
 MT. Williams of Marengo moved to i'm definitely postpone this motion. An aye and nay vote was demanded on this and the motion to postpone was adopted by vote of IS to 39.
 Article on Schedule.
 The committee on schedules then re- ported the following article for the new constitution:
 In order that no injury or inconvenience may arise from the alterations and amendments made by this constitution to the existing constitution of this state. and to carry this constitution into effect. it. is hereby ordained and declared:
 l. That all laws in force at the rati- fication of this constitution and not in- consistent herewith, shall remain or force until altered and repealed by the legislature; and all rights, actions pros cautions claims and contracts of this state counties, individuals or bodies cor porate, not inconsistent with this constf- tuition. shall continue to be valid as if this constitution had not been ratified.
 ?. That all bonds executed by or to any officer of this state. all recognizances obligations, and all other instruments ex- ecuted to this state. or any subdivision or municipality thereof, before tho ratifca- tion of this constitution, and all fines. taxes, penalties and forfettures due and owing to this state, or any subdivision or any municipality thereof, and all writs, suits, prosecutions claims and causes of action, except as herein otherwise pro- vided shall continue and remain unaffec- ted by the ratification of this constitution. All indictments which may have been found or which may hereafter be found for any crime or offense committed be- fore the ratification of this constitution shall be proceeded upon in the same man. ner as if this constitution had not been ratified.
 Present State Officers.
 8. That all the executive and judicial officers, and all other officers In this State. who shall have been elected at the election held in this State on the first day of August, 1898, or who may have been appointed since that time. and all members of the present General Assem- bly,, and all that may hereafter De elected members of the present General Assem- ply, and all other officers holding office at the time of the ratification of this constitution, shall continue in office and exercise the duties thereof until their respective terms shall expire. as pro- vided by the present constitution and laws of this State
 f. This constitution shall be submitted to the qualified electors of this State for ratification or rejection, as authorized and required by an act of the General Assem- bly of this State, entitled "an act to provide for holding convention to re- wise and amend the constitution of this state" approved December Il, 1900.
 D. That instead of the publication re- quired by sections 6 and A of an act to provide for holding a convention to re- wise and amend the constitution, the Governor of the State is hereby author ized to take such steps as will give gen eral publicity and circulation to this