The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
House and Senate VIII Have to Pass Special Appr0-
 pTiaiOn Bill
SHORTAGE OF FUNDS IS
 RESULT OE CHANGING DATE
Both Branches Get Down to Work and Nine Bills Are Introduced In the Senate-Governor's Message
 Is Endorsed.

Montgomery, January 14-(Special.)- Quite an unexpected question was sprung by State Auditor Sowell tonight when he announced that there was no appropri- alton in the state treasury with which to pay either the salaries of the legislators and other state officials
 In former years the legislature has con vened in November and prior to the first of January, the date for the ending of the continuing appropriation. special appropriatioE bill has been passed so as to cause no delay to the officials in get ting their pay This new condition is causer by the change in date of meeting of the legislature. It will require about five days for the passage of a bill author izing the appropriation.
 There has been little discussion of the governors message today for the req son that 1t was not read in either house, copies being ordered printed, but those members who have read it pronounce it a strong state paper and the governors rather bold stand in several instances is generally endorsed.
 Senate Gets to Work.
 The second days session of the legisla- ture has not been one of particular inter- est, though both houses did as much as on corresponding days in former sessions. There is never but little work beyond or ganization accomplished until after the appointment of the standing committees.
 Several days have sometimes been re- quired for the presiding officers to deter mine the appointment of these commit tees. The work is laborious and carries with 1t no small amount of work to the presiding officers.
 President Pro Tenn. Goldsby of the i senate said tonisht that le hoped to be able to name his committees tomorrow. The senate however, has not waited for the appointment of committees to begin work
 ffter the election of permanent office,s morning call of districts for the ilf- ,ioduction of bills was orderfh and when the call was completed niiA1Ails had been presented. The credit for the first bill fell to Senator Harrison of Lee. He sought through a general bill toypermit street and suburban railways of foreign states to extend and operate their lines in Alabama.
 Caused a Little Furry.
 The reading of the caption of the bill caused slight furry, but this passed away when the author Of the bill ex- plained that 1t was merely intended to per init the street railway lines into Phoenix City and Girard, Ala. The president re- fused to give the bill special privilege however, in referring it to a special com hut tt 4t- committee when raised.
 Senator Castleberry of Talladega pre- sented bill today which is of special interest as its early introduction indicates that many others of a like nature will probably be offered The bill seeks to create for beat 5, Talladega county, which includes the town of Talladega an inferior court. This bill Is presented in conformity with a provision in the new constitution, that inferior courts with Jurisdiction concurrent with justices of the peace may be created in towns with fifteen hundred of population or up- wards. Only one judge can be appointed, and no other office is created. This par ticuar bill would abolish the offices of three justices now serving the beat designated The bill has the unanimous support of delegation. It is generally un- derstood that the town of Ensley will be among those asking for similar measure
 None of the Jefferson members have been heard to express themselves on the ! matter. Similar bills may also be pre- sented for Birmingham and Bessemer. Speaker Tunstall will not be prepared to announce his committees tomorrow, and probably not earlier than Saturday. More Work In the House. The work of formihs the house com | mittees is much more laborious than in ] the senate as there are many more com , mittees and three times as many mem 1 bers The house elected officers today but , there was no call of counties for the in- , troduction of bills. A half dozen or more resolutions were presented by consent, however The most important of these was offered by MT. Rich of Mobile, and | consisted of q hearty endorsement of the record of Gen. Edmond Wiston Pettus ! in the senate of the United States After short session Speaker Tunstall surrendered the chair to MT. Simpson for the purpose of offering resolutions on the death of his predecessor. Francis L. Pet tus of Daas The reading of the reso- ution caused many saddened hearts among the members as their memories reverted to the death of one of the truest men and most lovable characters the state has produced. The resolutions were adopted by rising vote, and the house was declared adjourned until F o'clock tomorrow as a mark of respect to the de- ceased.
 It will be recalled that MT. Fettus died only a few hours after the adjournment of the last house and as speaker pro tenn Mr. Tunstall succeeded him.