The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-27
q divided. but largely against reduce

ton.
 Third--In most of the counties the tax rate Is already up to the Constt- tutional limit, hence any reduction of the old counties would decrease their revenues. interfere with the harmony and autonomy of tine same. destroy their symmetry and arouse influence against ratification which under nor- maj conditions would be in favor of ratification.
 We do not object to . reduction to some extent of the area of the counties hereafter to be formed, with such other restrictions as would be beneficial to the maintenance of the same.
 We therefore move to amend the re- port of the committee by striking out five hundred" where 1t occurs in Sec ton and adding in lieu thereof the words "six hundred"
 Respectfully submitted,
 J. E. Cobb.
 John H. Parker,
 E. c. Jackson. An ordinance to create and define
 the State and County Boundaries,
 and to regulate the location of
 County sites, and the formation of
 new counties.
 Be 1t ordained by the people of Ala bama in Convention assembled, that Article Two of the Constitution be stricken out and the following article inserted in lieu thereof:
 ARTICLE IT.
 State and County Boundaries, County
 Sites and New Counties.
 Section 1.-The boundaries of this State are established and defiped to be as follows. that Is to say: Beginning at the point where the slst degree of north latitude crosses the Perdido River. thence east to the western boun- dary line of the State of Georgia; thence along said line to the southern boundary line of the State of Tcnnes- see, thence west along the southern boundary line of the State of Tennes- see crossing the Tennessee River and on to the second intersection of said river by said line, thence up said river to the mouth of Big Bear Creek; thence by e direct line to the northwest cor ner of Washington County. in this State. as originally formed; thence southerly along the line of the State of Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, thence eastwardly, including all islands within s.x leagues of the shore to the Perdido River: thence up said river to the beginning; provided that the limits and Jurisdiction of this State shall ex- tend to and include any other land and territory now acquired, or hereafter ac- Quired, by contract or agreement with other States or otherwise. although such land and territory are not includ- ed within the boundaries hereineefore designated.
 Sec. 2.-The boundaries of the sev- eral counties of this State as they now exist are hereby ratified and confirm ed.
 Sec. 3.-The General Assembly shall have the power, provided that each house by a majority of the members elected thereto shall vote in favor thereof. to submit to a vote of the peo- pie residing within the territory pro- posed to be taken from one county and given to another, 6 change or alteration in county lines, but no such change or alteration shall be made unless such proposed change or alteration shall re- ceive two-thirds of the votes of the qualified electors voting at such elsc- ton; and. provided, that no county line shall be changed or altered so as to reduce any old county line below five hundred square miles, or which shall reduce the inhabitants in such county below the number of inhabitants to en- title the county to one representative.
 Sec. &-The General Assembly shall have power. provided that each House. Uy & Bl&JOIIty OL AbS AAGt4pDAo SiCSSO0 thereto, shall vote in favor therefor, to submit to a vote of the people within the boundaries of the proposed new county, the creation and formation of new counties, but no new county shall be created. unless such proposed new county shall receive two-thtrdB Of the votes of the qualified electors, voting at such election; and at the same time the question of a name and county seat for such county shall be submitted to and determined by said electors; and, provided. that no new county shall be created or formed of less extent extent than five hundred square miles, and which does not contain sufficient number of inhabitants to entitle 1t to one representative under the ratio of representatio existing at the time ot It's creation. and leayS the county or counties from which 1t Is taken with the required number of inhabitants entitling such county or counties to se- parate representation. or which shall reduce any old county below five hun- dred square miles.
 Sec. 5,-No county lines shall be ale tered or changed or in the creation Of new counties shall be established so as to run within seven miles of the county court house of any old county.
 Sec, 6.-No county site shall be re- moved except by a two-tbirds vote Of the qualified electors of said county, voting in an election held for said pur- pose. and when an election has once been held for such purpose. no other election can be held for such purpose until the expiration of four years; pro vided that the county site Of shelby county of this State shall be and re- main at Columbiana, unless removed by vote of the people as provided for in an act entitled An act to provide for the permanent location or the county site of Shelby County, In Ala bama, by a vote of the qualified cleo tors of said county" approved the 9th day of February. 1899. and the act ainendatory thereto. approved the 20th day of February, 1S9s or by an cleo ton held under the provisions of this article.
 MT. Parker (CuIlman)-I move that the report of the Committee be print cd with the article.
 The Presicent-It is moved that the report of the Committee be printed with the article.
 A vote being taken the motion was carried.
 The President-The report of the Committee with the minority reports and the ordinance reported will lie over and be printed.
 Mir. Parker (Cullman)-I move to make this report a special order after the last special order that was made.
 The motion was seconded by MT. de- GEaffenried.
 The Presidential Is moved that this order after the other special orders 4LaA hax,a kaAO vna6A vhiah inclndA thA