The age-herald., 1901-09-02

war may De aVerted. The ColomDlanS
 opposed to any war, and that the pres
 of individuals with personal ends in V <<->-<~-~\<-<><%->< 1t Is except that they are impeachable before the Supreme Court instead of the Circuit Court Early in the session, ex> Governor Jones introduced an amendment to allow the Governor in certain cases to remove a sheriff pending impeachment proceedings. This brought on a fight which lasted off and on during the entire convention. The matter has been consio- cred and re-considered at least half a dozen times. MT. Jones' amendment was first adopted, but to mollify the sherlffs they were allowed two terms. Their friends fought the question of their re- moval by the Governor very vigorously, and finally succeeded in defeating it, and at the same time the extra term was stricken off and the law left as at pres ent, except that they were to be im- peachable before the Supreme Court. The sheriffs afterwards woke up to the fact that the chances of being removed by the Governor were very remote and that it
 
 would be a very nice thing to have two terms; so they have been fighting ever since to get back where they were at first.
 The Compromise Measure.
 On last Thursday afternoon an ordin- ance embracing these provisions was re- ported favorably. This was a compromise
 l4 | would through. In fact a motion to table 1t was defeated by vote of GO to 62, the friends of the sheriffs having thus ma jority of two.
 In voting on the ordinance, however, division of the subject matter was oe- manded by Mir. Thompson of Bibb That part of the ordinance allowing them two terms was voted on first. and it was de- feated by a large majority. Having de- feated this measure. the convention olu not feel like imposing the other proVlsion on them, and 1t also was voted oo"h' Governor Jones himself voting against It, not wishing to entrap the sher1rs' al- though it was one of his pet measures Ex-Governor Jones, by the way, Is one os +ba bleeest men in the convention-not physically. but in the matters of brains and heart. He Is probably the most eio- ouent man in that body, and Is known 10 be a man of great honesty and courage
 President Knox.
 While the convention has been the po- litical graveyard of some prominent men, others have made considerable reputa- ton. One man who has gained much po- litical prestige from the convention 's President Knox. Mir Knox has made an excellent presiding officer. being at all times courteous and urbane He has been most prompt in his attendance on the ses- sions of the convention and has not ,,issed one. He has occupied the chair larger proportion of the time, perhaps' than is the habit of most presiding oni- cers. and his rulings have been uniformiy fair. At times, when some obstreperous member was seeking to delay the proceed ings by dilatory tactics, he has had to cultivate blind spots in his eye so as not to be able to see him. The convention has been a hard body to hold down. It IS a delicate thing to know when to give them a. IOOSe Ieln dUu WIcH to ti6itVA iaiN lines, but President Knox has managed it with tact and ability. He is today the most prominent Democrat out of office. and his friends predict with confidence that he will be Alabama's next United States Senator.
 MT. Knox is not only man of great ability but has a distinguished appear ance, which adds to his force as a presid ing officer and will become the cut and fashion of the Senatorial toga.
 The Convict System.
 One of the most remarkable occurances of the closing days of the convention was the nearly successful effort Saturday of MT. Beddow and Dr. Cunningham to abolish the present State system of leasing conyicts.
 Mir. Beddow sometime ago introduced an ordinance to this effect but 1t was defeated by large majority. On Sat urday practically the last day of the convention's work, when every thing was being rushed through and all amend ments tabled. he offered an ordinance to provide that all hard labor convicts and those sentenced TOT COStS pc lIlpTlSoIitu in their respective counties. and that only those who had committed felonies and who had been sentenced for a long term be sent to the mines. This was barely defeated by one vote.
 MT. Beddow spoke in it's favor and showed how 1t would withdraw large number of convicts from the mines who are now competing with free labor. He begged the convention to grant Jeffer- son County this favor.
 Dr. Cunningham of Jefferson made an eloquent and impassioned speech in It's favor. Under the rules he had but ten minutes to speak. At the expiration of this time there were loud cries to go on and a motion was attempted to be made to extend his time. Mir. Jenkins of Will COX secured recognition, however, and spoke against the measure There Is every probability that if Dr. Cunning