The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
Session viii Have Much Work
on Hand
CONTEST FOR OFFICES
No Local Legislation Can Be Enacted
Unless Notice Thereof Is AdVer-
tised Once a Week for
Four Weeks.
BY ZEE. KERsH.


The next session of the legislature OF
Alabama will assemble in Montgomery
on January 10.
This session, which will have to en-
act more laws of general Importance to
the whole state than any of its predeces-
sors, will start its labors with Jonah,
according to the idea of those who con-
meet the figure '13' with I'll luck.
The special Importance Of the session is
occasioned by the recent adoption of
new constitution by the state. Machinery
for carrying out the provisions OF this in
strument must be provided, and this will
require a revision of statutes Of the
state The members Of the constitutional
convention contemplated extra work for
the forthcoming session, and made pro-
vision for a session ten days longer than
previous or subsequent ones. Sixty work.
ing days have been provided for.
For some cause the general public, and
even the politicians, do not seem to man
ifest any unusual interest in the APP
preaching sessions. This lack OF display
of interest by the politicians Is rather
easily explained. The session will have
no elections OF special Importance to
make except the choosing of It's presid-
ing officers, and 1t seems that there will
be no contest for these positions. Joel
Goldsby, the young senator Of Mobile
county, appears to have no opposition for
president pro tempore of the upper house.
1t is also generally conceded that Alfred
M. Tunstall of Hale will be the speaker
of the lower house. His opponent is j. R..
Wood of Macon. The friends of Mr. Tuns-
tall concede but little strength to Mr..
Wood, claiming absolute committals from
a large majority of the members-elect for
the candidate from Hale. There are con-
tests for nearly all of the minor positions
in both branches, but these do not or
dinarily create much general interest.
An Interesting Session.
The work of the session will be of more
Interest to the public generally than any
session OF recent years. 1t will surely be a
busy one, Notwithstanding the fact that
little local legislation can be enacted. 1t
has been considered one Of the w1sest acts
of the recent constitutional convention IN
prohibiting the legislature passing local
laws on thirty-one different subjects that
have heretofore taken much the greater
part of its time. The subjects included in
this list are:
Granting a divorce; relieving minors of
disabilities Of non-age; changing names
of corporations, association or individuals;
providing for adoption or legitimizing any
child; Incorporating a city, town or VII
lage; granting charter to any corporation,
association or individual; establishing
ing the time within which civil or GRIM
inal action may be begun; exempting any
ipdiyiduaL private corporation or associa-
ton from the operation OF any general
law; providing for the sale of the prop
erty of an individual or estate; changing
or locating a county seat; providing for a
change of venue; regulating the rate OF
interest; fixing the punishment of crime;
regulating the assessment OF collection of
taxes, except In certain cases; giving ef-
feet to ap invalid will, deed or other in
strument; authorizing municipalities or
other political subdivisions to issue bonds
except upon a majority vote OF the citi-
zens; amending, confirming or extending
the charter of any private municipal COR
poration or RENTING the forfeiture
thereof, except an extension OF boundar-
les; creating, extending or impairing any
lien; chartering or licensing any ferry,
road or bridge; increasing the jurisdic-
ton Of justices Of the peace or consta-
bles; establishing separate school or stock
districts; creating, Incl easing or decreas-
ing fees of public officials; exemptinR
property from taxation. levy or sale:
exempting any person from Jury. road or
civil duty; donating lands owned by or
under state control to any person or cor
poration; providing for conduct OF cleo
declaring lines between precincts or coun-
ties.
This change in the constitution makes
necessary more legislation than any other
provision. The constitution provides for
the enactment of general laws covering
these subjects. 1t will necessitate the
enlargement of the powers of the COM
missioners' court. or the practical estab-
lishment Of sixty-six legislative bodies.
Local Legislation.
Local legislation cannot be enacted in
any case. Except in reference to fixing
the time for holding courts, unless notice
for the intention to apply therefor shall
have been published, without cost to the
state, in the county or counties where the