The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-09-16
Members VIII Now Hold Office
Until the Election Of
Their Successors
STOCK LAW PROPOSITION
is VERY HARD TO HANDLE
Thompson Will Move to Reconsider the
Bill Today and 1t May Yet Be
Passed-Morey Lenders
Dispersed by House.


Montgomery. September 15.-(Special)-
The upper house of the legislature passed
the bill this afternoon amending the re-
Gently enacted railroad commission law.
While there were several amendments or
fered the principal one provides that
members of the commission shall hold
office for the full term for which they
were appointed. This in effect means that
Associate Commissioners Sanders and
Tunstall will hold office until the election
of their successors in 1906 instead of 1904,
as provided in the original bill.
The measure had comparatively smooth
sailing in the senate. While 1t was at
tackled by Senators Hogue, Frazer and
Powell, the opposition could only muster
six votes. 1t was a noticeable fact that
the fight for the passage of the bill was
led by men who had been leaders in the
fight for the passage of the elective COM
mission bill at the spring session. Possi-
bly, the strongest speech for the measure
was made by Senator Rogers of Sumter,
who acted as chairman of the caucus
which planned the fight for the elective
commission bill at the early session.
Rogers a Strong Fighter.
Senator Rogers perhaps has no peer In
the senate when it comes to leading a
strong fight and he fought just as sue
cessfully today as formerly. His expla-
nation for the stand taken was convinc-
ing to his fellow members. He told them
that because of the pressure of time the
friends of an elective commission had at
the first session agreed to vote down any
and all amendments offered to the bill
and while he had favored the amendment
now offered at that time he was bound
by the caucus agreement to oppose It,
He set forth at length his reasons for
supporting the amendment, arguing that
1t was unjust to prevent the governors s
appointees from holding the full term for
which they were appointed.
Another argument advanced was that 1t
would prove more satisfactory If all the
members of the commission were not se-
lected in the same year. The senate re-
scinded its action of yesterday and COM
mitted the bill extending the terms of
tax assessors, collectors and treasurers
for five months. The recommittal was
made for the purpose of amendment
The house refused to pass the general
stock law bill drawn by the senate recess
committee.
Law Will Not Down.
During both sessions about four days
have been spent in the consideration Of
the stock law proposition and it will not
down. Tomorrow Mr.. Thompson of Bibb,
will move to reconsider the vote by which
the bill was lost and the motion is likely
to carry, with some amendments.
1t is possible yet to pass the bill. The
scrap over this stock law proposition has
been terrific, as the question entered into
the local campaign in several instances.
Especially was this true in Etowah coun-
ty and the members from that county
have worked trelessly since the begin
ming of the session for the passage of
some general bill that would furnish their
constituents relief. Mr.. Davis was ear
nest in his efforts to pass the bill and told
his fellow members that relief was neces-
sary as the question had reached the shot
gun stage in Etowah. Mr.. Hammer was
equally earnest in his fight for the bill.
The house decided to do away with the
money lenders, commonly termed pawn
brokers, passing the Hoffman bill which
was yesterday defeated.
House.
swering the morning roll call after the
Rev. A. L. Andrews had opened prayer.
The usual routine calls occupied brief
time, few new bills being introduced. The
committees reported about the average
work.
Mr.. McTyere of Barbour secured the re-
committal of the bill to appropriate $500
for the payment of the chaplains of con-
victs.
tto
passage of the bill to regulate the volun-
teer military forces of Alabama. The
bill provides that the governor may order
examinations of applicants for officers or
for promotion. He may also order exam
ination of commissioned officers as to
their fitness for office and if found not to
be fit, the office may be vacated. The
bill also embraces the different offenses
for which members of the militia may be
tried.
Clerk viii Be Paid.
Mr.. Thompson secured the passage OF
a senate bill providing for the compensa-
tion of the clerk of the house.
A bill relating to compensation of solic
itors pro TEN. was passed.
Mr.. Woods bill to prevent county So
licitors who are justices of the peace from
issuing warrants returnable to the coun-
ty courts was passed.
The stock law bill was then taken up
as the special order. and two amend
ments offered by the committee were be-
ing considered. when the house resolved
itself into the committee of the whole
to consider the bill section by section.
Mr.. Kelly wanted to amend the first
section so as to provide that a wire
fence between counties voting for stock
law and those no stock law, the fence
to be paid for Jointly by the two coun-
ties. Mr.. Pilley offered a substitute to
strike out all of the section which re-
lates to the building of fences Mr.. Scale
of Sumpter supported the position taken
by Mr.. Pilfey, taking the ground that
every mans COW shall eat his own grass.
This, he said, was the old common law
of the country.
Mr. Killen seemed to take the remarks
of the Sumpter representative as per-
sonally disrespectful toward himself. He
characterized the gentleman's speech as
like the old woman who made twelve gall
Ions of soup of one old hen. There was
heap Of 1t but there was not much in
1t. He cited how the amendment would
operate against the poorer classes in his
section. and he proposed to work and
vote in their interests. Mr.. Kelly of
Cherokee also jumped on the Pilley