The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-21
THE SENATE.

lieutenant Governor R. M. Cunning ilaa yesterday assumed the duties of the presiding officer of the Senate, being conducted to the chair relinquished by President pro-tem Goldsby shortly after the opening of the session.
 Senate bill S4. regulating the employ nent and payment of the subordinate of- Hcers of the Legislature, which had been amended by substitute by Senator Colds by, was called up, and after considerable debate and the adoption of a number of further amendments. was finally dls- posed od, passing by a vote of 8 to 2. Senators Harrison of Lee and Hogue of Perry voted against the measure.
 Thirty-one Senators responded at roll call. the session being opened with prayz CT by Rev. R. F. Tredway, pastor of the Clayton Street Baptist Church.
 Leaves of absence for the day were granted Senators Hipp of Cullman, who was slightly indisposed when the Senate adjourned Saturday, and Senator, Mor- row of Jefferson. 9.
 Presiding ofacer Installed
 On motion of Senator Bullock of Frank nn committee was appointed to con duct Lieutenant Governor Cunningham to the chair, Senator Bullock, Spragins of Madison and Powell of Butler being named by President pro tenn Goadsby for that purpose.
 In relinquishing the chair and introduc- nig his successor. the president pro-tem paid high compliment to. the new presid- ing officer, as a man familiar by reason of long experience with the conduct of legislative bodies and as a parliament tarian in the justice of whose rulings the utmost confidence could be placed.
 Lieutenant Governor Cunningham res. bonded briefly but felicittously, saying he assumed the duties of President now, not as he did years ago, when the duties of legislator also devolved upon him, and not as a dictator, nor even leader of the upper branch of the Legislature, but merely as its presiding officer. He ex- pressed himself as proud of the splendid assembly before him. made up as It was so largely of young men, and warmly thanked th 7enators for the reception accorded +b
 In taking gavel the Lieutenant Gov ernor asked the indulgence of the Senate for a time for any action he might take while not entirely familiar with the new rules, and assured the assembly that it would be his constant aim to conduct in e strictly fair and impartial manner the proceedings of the upper house.
 The joint resolution originating in the House reciting the eminent services rem dsred the State by the late Governor Sanford. and deploring his death as an Irreparable loss, was presented, and by unanimous action was adopted by the Senate.
 A message from the House also an- nounced the appointment by that body of three members to serve with a like number of Senators as a committee to examine the accounts of the State Auditor. as provided by joint resolution Saturday. The Senate members of the Committee are Senators Dunn of Clarke, Lancaster of Elmore and Hall of Bald win.
 On the call for reports of Committees Senator Dunn of the Committee on Agri- culture, moved that Senate Bill Il, which provides for a reduction of the tag tax on fertilizers, be recommitted to the Com- mittee for reconsideration. Adopted.
 Clerks Bill Discussed.
 The bill touching the salaries and pay nent of the various subordinate officers of the Legislature then came up, Senator Goldsby of Mobile moving for its final passage as amended. But other amend ments to this measure were in prepara- tion and before a vote could be secured they came in quick succession.
 Some objectionable features of the bill WrAC NAS0 anu IAlG nSdIGu OlSCuS- sion that followed the offering of new amendments 1t appeared for time likely that 1t would be recommitted for further consideration by the Rules Committee
 The bill provides for the appointment of various employees of the Legislature, including clerks and assistants to the of- hcers elected by each branch of the Legislature and the Committees and stip- ulates that these clerks and assistants shall be appointed by the officers in charge of the respective departments and Committees with the approval of the presiding officers. It also fixes the max Imum number of clerks and assistants who may in the discretion of the heads of departments and the presiding officers be appointed. instead of stipulatInE the exact number of such appointees.
 It was this alleged undue authority which the measure vests with the presid- ing officers and the heads of departments, and the absence In the bill of definite terms as to the number of clerks and as- sistants to be employed, that furnished matter for contention.
 Senator Harrison of Lee, held that the measure violated In spirit If 1t did not in letter, the provision of the new Consh- tuition touching the subject. He was sup ported by Senator Hogue of Perry.
 Senator Blaekmon of Calhoun, who in presenting the bill stated that in the drafting of the measure all possible safe guards against abuse of authority in Wakin1 annoinfrn@nfa had benn thrown