The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-30
HALF THROUGH
 WITH WORK Yesterday Was Busy Day
 of the Convention. THE END IS IN SIGHT SheriffS Not Permitted to Suc-
 ceed Themselves. Delegates in Little Humor to Con- sider Amendments-will Prob
 ably Get Through by Mid- Z dle of Next Week.
THE END IS IN SIGHT

The Constitutional Convention made excellent progress with its work yes terday, and if no obstacles are over taken today, the body will no doubt complete its consideration of the report of the Harmony Committee by Satur- day evening. It will require several days, however, to engross the new Constitution on parchment, and the presence of the delegates will be re- quired in Montgomery until the mid de of next week, as each delegate must sign his name to the new instrument.
 There is an evident determination on the part of the delegates not to over throw their previous work, and amend ments had a stormy passage through the channels of parliamentary debate yesterday. The shoals presented by the problem of quadrennial sessions of the Legislature, succession of sherins and selection of Solicitors were passed over with greater ease than was expected. Mir. ONeal of Lauderdale undertook to have the Convention adopt an amend ment providing for biennial sessions of the Legislature, but the amendment was tabled.
 The Sheriff amendment caused con- siderable debate at the afternoon ses- sion and was finally defeated. It was presented by Governor Jones. and pro- vided that Sheriffs may succeed them selves one term, and that they may be suspended by the Governor pending impeachment proceedings.
 Not even President Knox could get in an amendment. He sent up an amendment providing that the Legis- < lature could elect County Solicitors and addressed the Convention. The amend ment was tabled.
 The report of the Harmony Commit tee consists of an explanation Of the technical changes in the new instru- ment and the new Constitution. The new instrument consists of 2S4 sections and 172 of these sections were com pleted yesterday. It will, therefore. be observed that the Convention is al- ready more than half through with it's work.
 Proceedings of Convention.
 Ninety-four delegates were present when the Convention was called to or der at g o'clock yesterday morning. The body was opened with prayer by Rev. B. F. Marshall of Montgomery.
 The report of the Committee on Har- mony was then taken up. It consists of a statement of technical changes made in the instrument to harmon1ze it. The new Constitution is arranged in consecutive sections numbered from to 284.
 The Committee also reported favor ably three ordinances which had been referred to it. One ordinance provided for registrars to have charge or the election to be held to ratify or reject the new instrument Another ordi- nance reported provides for bringing suit in Alabama in an action arising In another State. The third ordinance re- ported forbids the use of streets of municipal corporations without proper authority.
 On motion of Captain White the Con- vention agreed to send each Article to the Enrolling Clerk as it was adopted, so that the work might be kept well in hand.
 The Declaration of Rights was read at length and notwithstanding efforts to get in one or two minor amend ments the Declaration was adopted as read.
 The Article on State and County Boundaries was next EGad and MT. CornweIl of Bessemer. who has tried repeatedly to secure the creation of new county with Bessemer as its coun- ty seat sent up an amendment for this nurpose. By a vote of 61 to 56 the amendment was tabled.
 MT. Nurphree of Pike, offered an amendment providing that county seats could be removed only by two-thir6s vote of the electors of the county. The amendment was tabled.
 The Article on State and County Boundaries was then adopted.
 The Committee presented Article w. which provides for the three depart ments of the government and Is the aame as the old Constitution. It was adopted without division. ,
 The Clerk then read the Article on Leeislative Department which IS the longest article of the new instrument.
 Mir. Sanford of Pike sent upSsn amendment to strike out the words provided this shall not prevent the | Legislature from enactingy laws which | may rearrange city boundaries. He | spoke for his amendment.
 MT. PiIlans of Mobile opposed the | amendment He said the power to ex- | tend city limits should be conferred | upon the Legislature General Sanford of Montgomery ar- l gued in support of the Sanford amend l ment. He thought the people affected 1 should be allowed to vote on the ques- tton.
 On motion of MT. Vaughn of Dallas the Sanford amendment was tabled.
 MT O'Neal of Lauderdale presented | an amendment to strike out the pro vision for quadrennial sessions of the Legislature and providing for biennial sessionsl He made an elaborate ar Eument in support of his amendment.
 On motion of Mir. Rogers of Sumter fha OANeal amendment was tabled.
 An amendment by Mir. Howell of Cleburne. that the Legislature shall ha in session fifty working days was tabeld.
 MT, Reynolds of Chiffon introduced resoIution providing for a contest of the election to ratify the new Constitution = case of fraud. l