The age-herald., 1901-05-25

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
 Be 1t Resolved, That 1t is the sense of this convention that such constitu- tion as may be adopted by this conven- ton shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Alabama for ratification.
 Montgomery, May 2.-(Special )--The Constitutional Convention today unani- mously adopted the above resolution pledging itself that 1t would submit to the qualified voters of Alabama for rati- fication the new Constitution it proposed to form.
 The resolution to this effect was intro duced by MT. Reese of Dallas. After some debate relative to the preamble 1t was finally passed unanimously.
 Aside from this the only important &C., ton of the convention today was its de- cision to have all it's proceedings, includ- ing speeches, reported stenographicaly. This decision was reached after a lively debate lasting three hours.
 The special committee to which this matter was referred the day before. made report through It's chairman, General Oates of Montgomery. recommending that full stenographic report be made of all the proceedings This brought on the de- bate which finally ended in the commit tees report being adopted. Many reasons were advanced in favor of both sides of the question. Those opposed to steno- graphic report argued that 1t was unnec- essary in view of the journal of the con vention being kept by the secretary and the full reports being made by the press. They also argued that the fact of every thing said being published to the world would hamper the freedom of debate. Those favoring a stenographic report ar gued that 1t was the only proper and up-to-date way of reporting any proceed ings and that the public were entitled to know what the convention was doing and that they ought not to have anything to conceal Many short and forceful speeches were made on both sides.
 Besides deciding the question the con vention did nothing. President Knox has not yet appointed any of the commit tees.
 A caucus of the Democratic party had been called for 4 o'clock today to con- tinue the hearing of the Fillmore County matter, but just before the convention adjourned at o'clock, the president an- nounced that this was postponed until f o'clock Monday.
 Convention Opens.
 The fourth days session of the Con- stitutional Convention was called to or der at Il o'clock by Hon. John B. Knox, chairman.
 A prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. An drews of the Dexter Avenue Methodist church who asked that the blessings of God be upon the convention.
 Roll call showed 139 members present 1t takes ten minutes to call the roll. Ad- jutant- General Brandon, who has fine and sonorous voice, does this work Tor Clerk Julian. After roll call the journal of the previous days work was read Nobody, as rule, pays any attention to the reading of the journal, but 1t Is good exercise for the clerks lungs, and not to read it would violate long estab- lished custom in legislative assemblies
 Mr. Mcdonald of Montgomery was granted leave of absence for the day.
 Mr. Watts of Montgomery introduced a resolution prohibiting anyone coming on the floor but members, employees, in yited guests and reporters Referred 10 committee on rules.
 MT. Jackson of Lee introduced resolu- tion to print 800 copies of the Democratic platform adopted April 19. 1901. Referred to proper committee. MT. Long of Walker offered a resolution to print 300 copies or the present constitution for the members.
 Pledges Itself to the People.
 MT. Reese of Dallas offered resolution that the constitution adopted by the pres- ent convention be submitted to the peo- ple for ratification. It was moved to sus- pend the rules and put the resolution on It's passage.
 Dr. Cunningham Of Jefferson asked TOT aye and no vote.
 It was moved to strike out the pream- ble of the resolutions which recited the fact that the Democratic party had al- ready pledged itself to this effect. This brought MT. Reese to his feet, who said if the Democratic members would not be willing to stand by this declaration that he would be willing to vote for an ad- journment sine die.
 Ex-Governor Jones of Montgomery spoke. saying there was too much al- fusion to party in convention which was not a party affair, and that he hoped MT. Reese would consent to strike out the preamble This MT. Reese agreed to.
 MT. Lomax of Montgomery then offered . substitute which, on motion, was tabled.
 The original resolution of Mr. Reese. as amended at the request of Governor Jones, was then passed. Everybody voted aye except Sanford of Pike, who an- swered t'here.' He promptly changed this to aye.
 The convention thereby pledged itself to submit the constitution 1t was to adopt to the people for ratification.
 General Harrison of Lee offered reso- Iutien to adjourn after today's session until noon Monday. This was carried.
 Governor Oates moved that Hon. E. w. Pettus be invited to the privilege of the floor. MT. O'Neill of Jefferson moved to add the name of Senator Morgan to the resolution. This was adopted and the original resolution as amended was then passed.
 Mir. Pettus of Limestone offered a resolution declaring that the convention be governed by the act creating it. Re- ferred to committed on rules.
 stenographic Committee Reports.
 Governor Oates. chairman of the special stenographic committee reported various bids received by the committee for re-