The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-07
RECORD DAY IN THE SENATE Six Corporation Bills Were
 Passed. WARNED BY MINORITY Opponents of Hall Bills Declare They are for Trusts. Calendar of the Upper House is Creeping Up on the Senators.
 A Number of Bills
 Reported.

Friday was record day in the Senate. Though but a small number of bills were passed upon, 1t is believed that more was accomplished in view of the importance of the measures considered than on any previous day of the session. Nine bills were passed, six of these being measures introduced by Senator Hall of Baldwin bearing upon corporations.
 The sentiment of the upper House was pretty we'll established in the course of the debate Thursday on the bill providing for the renewal and extension of the charters of corporations, and the oppon- ents of that measure were hardly ex- pected to show much fight on the rest of the series introduced by the Senator from Baldwin.
 The bills are regarded as rather sweep ing in character by the so-called conserv- ative element of the Senate, and the fight against the alleged opening of the gates of Alabama to the monopolistic host was practically ended Thursday, when a mi nority of half dozen Senators pleaded vainiy for policy of moderation on the part of the Senate in dealing with corpo- rations. The opposition, though downed. was still in fighting mood yesterday and the third readings of number of the bills elicited protests.
 Are sweeping Measures.
 That these corporation bills are sweep ing measures is conceded even by their champions. whose 'contention is that in view of the present statutes there Is urg- ent need in this State for just such sweep ing measures; that the measures are their own Justification. and that they need no other. More liberal relations between the State and corporations doing business In the State are held as imperative if the State is to take rank with other common wealths to which it is entitled and secure the development of its resources along all lines. The bills provide for the or ganization of corporations, the renewal and extension, under certain restrictions of their charters, regulate the amount of their capital stock, it's increase and de- crease. and permit also. under certain circumstances, the consolidation of corpo- rations.
 The contention made on the floor of the Senate by some of the disaffected members that the bills in question put the State upon the same plane as New Jersey is vigorously denied by the de- lenders of the measures. They claim that the bills grant a certain latitude to corporations within the State. but that there is no intention of going to the New Jersey limit.
 Those of the Opposition.
 The members of the upper House par ticularly prominent in the opposition to these bills were Senator's Bostick, Hogue Johnston, Norman, Oliver Powell Smith and Spragins. though some of them voted favorably on a number of the measures.
 Senator Smith of Clay, who on Thurs day defended the first of the corporation bills. experienced a change of mind du- ring the night and yesterday went on record as an outspoken opponent of the rest of the bills.
 Senator Hogue of Perry, held closely to the line he has followed since the open ing of the session, urging moderation on the part of the lawmakers. He furnished considerable amusement at times during the discussion of certain of the bills, suc- cessfully holding his own against num- Der who sought to quiet his alleged ob- structive demonstrations.
 Thirty-one Senators answered to roll call, and the session was opened with prayer by Rev. E. c. Nave of Mont gomery.
 Senator Bullock of Franklin, who is i'll, was granted leave of absence. Twelve New Bills.
 Twelve bills were introduced. One of these. by Senator Woolf, provides for the establishment of a dispensary in the city of Demopolis. Another, by Senator Jones, repeals recent laws bearing on the im- provement of the public roads in Wilcox County and revives the laws in force prior to their adoption. A bill introduced by Senator Spencer of Hale. is to amend Section 3l6l of the Code. Senator Nor row of Jefferson. introduced a bill to provide for the reprinting of certain vol umes of the reports of the Supreme Court of Alabama. To provide for the holding of elections for the purpose of locating County sites is the object of a bill introduced by Senator Smith of Clay. Senator NeSmith of Lamar, presented a bill to fix the compensation of inspectors of mines. Bills amending various sec tions of the Code were introduced by Senators NeSmith. Spencer of Hale. and Blackmon of Calhoun. the latter Senator also introducing one to confer the power of eminent domain upon foreign corpora tions owning or operating railways in the State. Senator Long of Henry presented a measure to establish and maintain a dispensary in AbbeviIle. and Senator Spencer a bill apprcpriating money from the fine and forfeiture fund of Greene County, for the relief of W, G, McCrack- en and ]. G. Harris of that County.
 Calendar is Thickening.
 The Senate has thus far kept the cal endar clear or very nearly so, but it's work is now piling up at a rapid rate Twenty-Five bills were favorably reported by committees yesterday and sent to the calendar and it will be many days before these are disposed of. So there will be enough to occupy the at- tention of the upper House for a good while to come. to say nothing of bills yet to be presented.
 The House announced concurrence in the Senate joint resolution for a recess Wednesday, February F. for the purpose of hearing Mrs. R. D. Johnston of Bir- mingham.
 Senator Rodgers's resolution amending Rule 46 of the Senate Rules still lies on the table. No action was taken on 1t yesterday and there was no intimation as to when action would be taken.
 The first bill to pass yesterday was Senate bill III. requiring County officers to execute new bonds when serving be- yond the period for which they were elected. It passed without debate.
 Senate bill 139. relating to the holding of sessions of the Chancery Court. passed without opposition.
 Corporation Bill Discussed.
 Senate bill 30 by MT, Hall of Baldwin, was then called up. Senator Smith of Clay offered an amendment to which Senator Baldwin objected. moving that 1t be tabled.
 Senator Smith then moved to reconsider the vote hy whica the bill had heen or