The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-09-17


less Virgins, Wilkinson. Wood. Young
g.
Nays-Messrs. Almon. Arnold, Bank
head Benners, Byrne, Edwards, Epsy,
Glover, Gray Hammer, Holland, Lee of
Butler, Leigh of Escambia, Mills New
man, Poole, Preston Pugh Thomas, War
ren, Williams of Calhoun, Williams of
Covington-21,
: Corporations Bill.
The house then took up the bill provid-
ing a general scheme for the government
OF corporations, and Mr.. Foster of Tusca-
loosa, who is chairman of the committee
on corporations, explained the important
new features of the bill. The first change
he said, was to provide for a slight in
crease in the charter fees of corporations
where the capital stock exceeds S100 000
Section provides for the issuing of cer-
tificates by probate judges and the filing
of same in the office of the secretary of
state, and the collection of a fee of fifty
cents for the same.
There was no change In the provision
providing what corporations may consoli-
date.
Section gives public water companies
power of condemnation of the source of
supply and lands sufficient to secure the
purity of water
Section 10, which is entirely new is as
follows:
Section 15-Street railway gas electric
and water companies and all other corpo-
rations, except railroads., formed for the
purpose of constructing operating or
maintaining any works of internal inn
provement of public utility in any county,
city, town or village. may contract with
the authorities of such county, city, town
or village in reference to the use of the
streets, public roads and other public
he 80
ing and operating their lines of works,
the public service they are to render and
the compensation they are to receive for
the carriage of persons and property, or
for water. gas, electric light and power,
or for any other commodity to be sup
piled or service rendered to such coun-
ty, city, town or village and the inhabi-
tants thereof which contracts may be
altered by mutual consent. For any vio-
lation of such contracts whereby an indl-
vidual has suffered special damage, such
individual may sue in his own name for
the recovery of shch damages, as IL he
were party to the contract; but nothing
nsfeh shall prevent any cities Or towns
from regulating from time to time the use
of the streets and public places, or re-
quiring a change in the construction Of
the lines and works of such corporations
If necessary, whenever the public good or
convenience requires.
A further section gives banking COM
panies powers to become trustees, etc.
Section Al makes some changes In the
methods by which minority stockholders
may secure protection in cases of CONSOLE
dation.
Sections 4S and 40 refer to dissolution OF
corporations. Sections so and 81 are new
and important.
The bill was passed without further
discussion.
Concerning Public Schools.
Mr.. Arnold secured unanimous consent
and called up the senate bill providing
for the redistricting and managing of the
public schools of the state. Mr.. Arnold
explained that the purpose of the bill
was to abolish the old township lines and
create new school districts in accordance
with the centers of population.
1t is provided that the county superin-
tendent, one member Of the Commission
ers' court to be selected, and the county
surveyor shall redstrct the counties.
Three district trustees are then to be
chosen by the qualified electors, who
shall select their chairman. At a sub
sequent date all the district chairmen
shall meet at the court house and select
a county board to consist of four of the
various district chairmen and the coun-
ty superintendent of education. This
board is to have entire control of the
school affairs of the county, including
the selection of teachers. The districts
shall be so arranged as not to leave any
child more than two and one-half miles
from the school house. The bill does not
refer to incorporated towns and cities.
The trustees are to hold office for four
years.
Arouses Interest.
The bill aroused the interest of all the
members, and Mr.. Lusk moved that 1t be
set down as a special order for Saturday
at II o'clock, and three hundred copies
printed for information of the members
The motion carried.
Mr. Goodwin gave notice that he would
on tomorrow move to take from the ad-
verse calendar house bill sos, to provide
for the examinations of banks This
bill was reported adversely by the bank
ing committee this morning.
The bill authorizing the governor to pay
the indebtedness created by the cavalry
troop of the Alabama National Guard at
East Lake in July, 1902. was called up
by Mr. Holly and passed. The bill car
ries an appropriation from the military
fund of $1224.G1.
Mr.. Espys bill to regulate all school
districts affected by the creation of new
counties or the change of county lines
and to provide for the election of trus-
tees therein was passed.
The Giles Suits.
Mr.. Goodwin secured consent for the
consideration of the bill to provide for the
defense of the suits of Giles against Har-
ris and others, registrars of Montgomery
county. pending in the Supreme court of
the United States. The bill as reported
appropriated $1050 to pay the attorneys
fees in the case, but Mr.. Lusk wanted it
cut to $500 The amendment caused a
lengthy discussion, and pending final ac-
tion the hour of adjournment arrived.
Just before adjournment the house in
vited Mr.. Jones. the representative of the
St Louis exposition, to address the mem
bers on the outline and purposes of the
great fair. Mr.. Jones made an effective
speech and it carried conviction as the
duty of the Legislators to have the state
properly represented.
Afternoon Session.
A motion to dispense with the roll call
at the afternoon session to ascertain the
presence of quorum was adopted.
An hour was consumed in debate on
the bill TO pay the attorney who repre-
sented the new constitution before the
Supreme court of the United States. The
Lusk amendment to make the appropria-
ton $500 was voted down and the bill as
originally reported was passed
Chairman Handley of the appropriations
committee called lthe special order to ap-
propriate $4,000 for an exhibit at the st.
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