The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-17
BLACKBURN WANTED AN
 ELECTION IN SPRING
Quite a Heated Debate Arose Between Members of the Jefferson Delega- ton, Which Results In Vic
 tory for MT. London.

Y -NAP1SathA'f The Jefferson delegation held the boards for a half hour in the lower house this afternoon. There was a bill before the house amending the act providing for the Inferior Criminal court of Birmingham and for little while Representative Fe- lix Blackburn had his six colleagues lon the move".
 MT. Blackburn's bill provided for the election of Judge Feagin's successor by the qualified voters of the city at the reg ular election next May, and his bill, 1t was stated, had the endorsement of the city executive committee.
 MT. London opposed the bill and offered an amendment to make the office elec- tive after 1905.
 Judge Feagin's term will expire on the 18th of the present month, and under the old statutes the legislature will have to elect his successor. The six colleagues of Mir. Blackburn seem to think that his bill was intended to defeat Judge Feagin, but this MT. Blackburn disclaimed
 The author of the measure made a game fight. but he lost out by vote of 5s to 21. Representatives Benners, Cum ningham, London, Hickman, DuBose and Haley all opposed the bill.
 Railroad Commission Bill Up.
 The house in the committee of the whole began consideration of the Starr elective railroad commission bill at the morning session, but it only had time for completing a thnd reading of the meas ure. and 1t went over as unfinished busi- ness.
 Many of the conservative members con sidered this bill very drastic, and they are prepared to fight it stubbornly.
 The house is on record as favoring an elective commission, but some members who voted for the elective commission will not vote to give the commission the power which the Starr bill seeks to con fer upon 1t.
 B. B. Conner of Birmingham, who is here urging the bill said tonight that he expected to see the bill pass tomorrow by a vote of two to one, and he also seemed to think that it would get through the senate
 Greater Montgomery Bill Passed.
 The house passed the Greater Montgonl- cry bill, which originated in the senate,
 
 bill so extends the city limits as to take in West End, Highland Park, Cloverdale, Bougehomie, Vesuvius and other suDur- ban settlements. It will give Montgomery a population of about 45,000 as against 8, 600 under the last census.
 When the house met at noon today an agreement had been reached by all con- cerned that the motion to take the Starr railroad bill from the adverse calendar and refer 1t to the committee of the whole should be adopted without oppo- sition, and that was done. The house then went into committee of the whole to consider the Starr bill. and MT. Hoff- man offered an amendment providing for nine commissioners, one from each con- gressional district this being to the first section of the bill. The point of order was made however. that unGer the rules the bill must be read at length. and the bill was read. It Is the Texas commission bill, and it's reading consumed the whole of the morning hour. Just at adjourn nent a motion was made and adopted fixing it as the special order immediately on the assembling of the house at D. m.
 Afternoon Session.
 The house reconyened at 3:30, and on motion of MT Arold the bill for reprint ing the Alabama reports was made the special order for Thursday at il a. m.
 On motion of MT. Byrne the bill to ex- empt convict guards from jury duty was made the special order for noon tomor- row.
 MT. McCluskey moved to make the bill for taking over the soldiers home a special order for Wednesday at Il a. m. This was defeated. not because of oppo- sition to the bill, but because it was not desired to dispace other special orders now on the calendar.
 The bill for the assessment and col- lection of taxes in the new county of Houston was passed.
 MT. Hoffman moved that 300 copies of the Starr bill be printed for use of the house, but MT. London objected as 1t would delay the bill. The chair sustained a point of order raised by MT. Bankhead and the special order was taken up. being
 The Election Bill.
 MT. Bankhead said the committee had shaped up the amendments adopted in committee of the whole. and had added two or three. One imposes penalty of slO0 on any inspector who fails, without good excuse. to serve when appointed.
 The speaker stated that the bill had been recommtted and the question arose whether under the constitution the Dill being report ed back is not on its second reading. The speaker thought its pass age now on third reading would be good,
 
 doubt as it was too important matter to run any needless sisks.
 To obviate the difficulty or doubt MT. Bankhead moved that it go over for third reading as the special order for to- morrow at 3:30 D. m.
 MT Walker asked unanimous consent to take up the bill authorizing towns and cities to hold elections on bond issues. but there was objection. ?
 ur pannera moved to suspend the rules and take in the bill. ana th:s was car ried.
 Bills Passed.
 H. B. 454-To authorize cities and towns to hold elections for purchasing and con- structing public buildings. sewers. streets. alleys. bridges public school houses. to purchase water works and light plants. was passed.