The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-17
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS TOUCHING
 PROPOSED RECREATION.
Aldermen Suggest Reasons Why su- burbs Should Be Annexed to Montgomery-Refers to Bar
 rooms in Police Jurisdiction

ASSAhc AAA OAkCC
 The following is the full text of the re- port of the Special Committee on Legis- iation submitted to the City Council Mon day night. the substance of which was published yesterday morning:
 Montgomery. Ala. Dec. 15, 1902. ''To the Honorable City Council of Mont-
 gomery:
 Gentlemen-Your Special Committee to whom was referred the message of the Mayor, in reference to needed legislation Tor the city. at the approaching session of the General Assembly of Alabama. beg leave to report that they have had the matter under almost continual considera- ton for the past three weeks, and have had prepared by the City Attorney three bills as follows:
 "First-A bill to allow the city to issue bonds to refund present bonds of the city at lower rate of interest
 "Second-A bill to extend the corporate limits of the city.
 'Third-A bill to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors at any place in Mont gomery County outside of tho city lim- its.
 'As to the first of these, we suppose there will be no opposition at all. con- siderable portion of the citys bonds which now bear per cent interest will mature before another session of the Legislature. This bill will allow the city to exchange for said bonds, other bonds bearing lower rate. and result in a great saving in our annual interest budg- ct. The Committee is also hopeful that the holders of bonds maturing at a still later period may be induced to take for them bond for a longer period at a lower rate.
 The present limits of the city em- braces only about 1,70O acres-a district covered by an average radius of less than three -fourths of a mile from its cen- ter. No city in this country of its rela- tive importance. wealth, population and business Is so restricted as to territory. Its territory is now smaller than almost any other city of 10000 inhabitants. An examination shows that its limits are much smaller now than at the close of the war when 1t was of not more than one-third of its present population, busi- ness. wealth and importance. At that time. the limits were contracted to shut out the negro vote. a reason which has no application to present conditions. l Since the establishment of the present limits, the city has grown greatly and a territory covered by at least an average radius of one and half miles from its | center Is now laid off in streets. blocks and lots. built up in residences. storei and factories, and in almost every sense is part and parcel of the city, with tht one exception that that portion outside | of the limits fixed by law contributes | nothing to the support of its government | and the institutions. established, fosteret | and maintained by it. It Is in all re spects one community. The property owner over the line Is just as much in terested in the growth, prosperity ant good government of the city as the own CT of property on Dexter Avenue Cour Square or Commerce Street, in proportion to the value of their respective proper ties. They use our paved and lighted streets. have the protection of our police l fire and water systems, participate in tho profits of the business done here, and tc all intents and purposes are citizens o | Montgomery. except in the matter of con 1 tributing their share to its support. From | the standpoint of the citizen who live: within the city limits this Is unfair and unjust. We reap but few benefits tha' are not gathered by them. The existence of the city gives value to their property as well as to ours
 Your Committee also believe that the advantages accruing to those outside oi the present limits. if brought in, will out. l tribute to its support. The average ta1 that will be paid by each citizen SC brought in will not amount to over $1i or SIP. For this he will get the advan | tages along with the rest of us that ac. crues to the whole community by reason | of the extension. We can now, withou great cost, light their streets. we can cas- fly extend to wherever needed the mainl from our excellent water works, ant above all open the doors of our excellen free schools and the public library tt their children. Their participation in thu election of officers would. we hope, tent to the betterment of our city politics.
 By present legislation. the sale O liquor Is prohibited all over Montgomery County. except within the city of Mont gomery and within two miles of its linn its. Within the belt around the city jus across the city line. are a large number of places where liquor Is sold. A larH, majority of these places are so conduct ed that they are positive detriment tc the whole community. They pay no Il cense to the city. yet the violations O law by them and arising from them art more than from all other sources. BeinI outside the city they have no restrictions placed around them whatever, except thu State laws, which are not enforceable b! the States inadequate facilities. For th' good of the whole community, we recon mend that they be brought into the cit! and under a stricter police surveillance made to pay license and contribute to tn, enforcement of the laws. and obey 1t reasonable ordinances. or that they b' prohibited from carrying on that bust ness longer.
 We earnestly recommend to the Coun cil that the Senator and Representative from Montgomery County be requested to promptly introduce and urge the pas sage of all three of the bills hereto at tached Respectfully submitted.
 Ray Rushton. g. B. Johnson. Davit Fleming, c. P. Anderson. James Toole John c. Cheney Committee
 The report was accompanied by bills drawn by the City Attorney to be pre- sented to the Legislature. After some minor changes in the bills the report oi the Committee was concurred in.
 Delicious lunch served at IF Mont gomery Street by the Ladies of the First Baptist Church today and to-
 af Co V1CrY orti NlAG