The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-01
MERRIMENT AT THE CLOSE
Resolutions of Thanks Adopt ed and Much Good Feeling.
Many Important General Measures Have Been Passed by the Solons. Last Days Were Given
 Over to Hard Work.


 The first session of the Alabama Leg Islature of 1903 ended last night at 11:i5 o'clock when the gavel fell in the two Houses at the end of the thirtye-ighth of the sixty working days allotted the lawmakers by the Constitution. The Leg islature will assemble again on the first Tuesday of September to serve out the twenty-two days that remain for 1t un- der the Constitution.
 There was to the final gathering of the Legislature last night a touch of pathos that appealed to the members. They had, since January 1S. been thrown into daily association and enduring friendships had come of the daily association. The warmth, tho acrimcny manifested more than once in the discussions on the floor of the House or the Senate was forgot ten in the dissolution of the Legislature and the separation of the members.
 The final night sessions in the two Houses were stripped of all formalfties.
 Devoted to Signing Bills.
 No bills were passed by the House. The bills on the calendar at the close of the night session were left until the Septem-
  order now and then by the Speaker for lev minutes only and then for the sole purpose of allowing the Speaker to sign n the presence of the House bills which lad passed both Houses
 The larger part of the time the mem- Iers were off their dignity. Formality, If lot dignity. was thrown to tho winds. In he frequent recesses the House members iillod the time as best they could.
 A number of Senators came over into he House and gathered In front of the esk of the Speaker where they were olned by members of the House. Led r, Lieutenant Governor Cunningham the rowd broke into song. The walls of the iis.nric old hall of Representatives echoed md .e-echoed with melody. The sing ITS wound up with God Be With You Till We Meet Again." and the fun and rrghter that had prevailed was hushed nto stiffness. The gallery was crowded with ladies who looked down and ap- pauded the legislative troubadours.
 The Pages Had Fun.
 The pages of the House were largely In evidence They held a disorderly mock session interspersed with jests and jokes on prominent members. A resolution in- creasng the pay of pages from g a day to SC a day was passed with unamnity and enthusiasm. Cheered on by the members first one and then another of the pages would assume the chair and the gavel 10 preside over the disordcrly gathering.
 In resnonse to insistent demands Hon. J. Thomas Hefn took the stand and gave his famous speech on the dog law Wine he had concluded the House de- manded more and Colonel w. w. Brap- don was forced to respond. In a few elo- ouent words he thanked the members for haan shown him in his work for the House.
 Ire final sitting of the House ended with the report of the special committee appointed to notify the Governor that the Legislature had completed its labors and was ready to adjourn. The commit tees report was presented by Mir. Par ker of Cullman, and at its conclusion Speaker Tunstall. who has been suffer- Ing from q severe cold. thanked the mem- bers of the House for its kindness to him. He was not he said, In a condition from his cold to express to the House his deep appreciation of the many cour- tesies and kidnesses which had been shown him by the House members. but when the Legislature reassembled in September he hoped to be in condition to express and to show his appreciation.
 Good Feeling in Senate.
 General good feeling marked the close of the session in the Senate chamber and the closing hours gave evidence that all members were good fellows.
 The night session was not regarded as one of serious Import and legislation was something practically cut of the ques- ticn. Everybody felt that the work of the session was ended and there was a general relaxation. Songs were sung and there was speech making and other forms diversion he lar l-arS loFt Capitol conscious that they had done well the work assigned to them. and with fraternal good-hyes and promises to meet again In September
 The night sessions of the two Houses were not largely attended It Is doubt ful If quorum of the members were present as many of them anxious to return home had left the city on the night trains. The members remaining in pr tomorrow.
 The Legislature. the first to assemble under the new Constitution bas tn Itr hrst thirty-elght days accomplished navy or the new duties imposed upon if bv inc new Constitution. With what if hoe oo romplished the members as ruIa ave generally satisfied. There has hear fear among them that they have been too generous in the matter of appropria tions ii'eS aIF' however hopeful that they have not overtaxed the State Traes,,r,. and that 1t will be able to meet evar,, ao mand made upon it without emharr,ss ment.
 Revenue Bill Compltd.
 The general revenue bill was gotten ont of the way yesterday It passed the ser- ate and the amendments adopted bv inc senate were concurred in by the House on the provisions which the House in- sisted upon were adopted by the Senate The Tunstal amendment. fixing a State tax on companies dealing in Illuminating oil vas changed by the Senate into a tax on oil by the gallon. with a provision that it should be inspected and no inferior oil should he sold in the State, This amend ment was adopted by the House.
 The Senate removed the restriction placed upon the license tax that could be rharged express companies by municipali-