The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-06

< of poll taxes was passed without < < amendments; ten new bills were # < introduced: four Senate bills were 7. < reported favorably by committees. # N x ~ex*~xxAasxAAxx~*xx,xxxs*exa1ssasas: as::s
 The fight over Senator Halls corpora ton bills opened in earnest in the Senate yesterday upon the call for a third read ing of the first one of the measures in~ troduced by the Senator from Baldwin, and 1t bids fair to continue with increas- Ing warmth for a day or two. or until the last one of the lot Is disposed of
 Judging from appearances yesterday the Senate is committed to the passage of the measures. but there is a fighting minority that can be counted on to leave nothing undone that will contribute to their defeat.
 These bills amend, in a radical and almost revolutionary manner, go their opponents say. the present laws touch- ing corporations, providing for increase of power in many directions on the part of corporations. which they regard as dangerous It is held even by some that the proposed measures are in direct violation of the provisions of the Con- stitution.
 Wants New Jersey Business.
 It is virtually admitted by some of the champions of the bills in question that with their approval by the Legislature the State is bidding for the business of launching corporations, and the conse- quent odium that attaches to the State of New Jersey. There the revenue de- rived from this business is said to be almost sufficient for the needs of the State. so that other taxation Is reduced to the minimum Their contention is that 1t Is expedient for the State to enact more liberal laws bearing upon corporations with a view to inviting in- vestments here, and at the same time to share in the revenue that large in- dustrial and commercial undertakings may be made to yield the State. instead of allowing these revenues to go wholly to other States.
 The discussion of Senator Halls bill occupied a good part of the session. and ended in the passage of the measure The bill amends Section 1260 of the Code SO as to permit the renewal or extension of the charter of any corporation organized under the general or special laws of the State for period or twenty years It was fought by Senators Spragins, Powell. Thomas, Hogue and Bostick, and de- tended by Senators Morrow Lancaster. Lynne and others.
 Other bills of the series. relating to the formation of corporations, conferrirg ad- ditional power upon corporations, au- thorizing the consolidation of corpora- tions other than railroad companies and touching the increase and decrease of the capital stock of corporations, will come tn6av Q oi4 Is expected.
 Lancaster Bill Resumed.
 The reading of Senator Lancaster's bill regulating negotiable instruments, which was left unfinished Wednesday, was re- sumed after the formalities of the open ing, and concluded at Il 20 o'clock. The bill was then passed without a dissenting vote.
 Ten new bills were introduced and re- ferred to various committees and House bill 2l was reported as having passed the House and referred to the Committee on Temperance.
 Concurrence on the part of the House with the Senate joint resolution provid- ing for the appointment of a committee to inquire as to the desirability of a re- cess of the Legislature was also an nounced. The House members of the
 
 Foster.
 Only four bills were reported by com mittees These were s. 115, S. 15l s. 95 and S. 152. They were sent to the caIen dar.
 On motion of Senator Smith of Clay 1t was ordered that 200 copies of Senate hill l5o he printed. This bill provides for the recovery to the State of lands not legally patented and the settlement of disputed titles.
 Consideration Of House bill 4. relating to the collection Of poll taxes. which had been deferred. was resumed. number of amendments were offered, but on mo- ton of Senator Acree they were tabled ard the original measure was passed
 Senator Halls bill providing for the renewal and extension of the charters of corporations was the special order for l2 o'lock The measure was read and some minor amendments adopted. Tho debate then opened
 Debate on Hall Bill,
 Senator Spragins of Madison held that the hill was wrong in principle; that 1t proposed to amend the Code so as to do indirectly what the Constitution direct ly prohibits To legalize the renewal and expension of corporations whether or gan'zed under the general or special laws H1 the state. he declared to be an un- equal distribution of rights and privi- leGes and repugnant to the provisions of the Constitution. He held that the bill under consideration was In effect q spe- cial law. and accorded to corporations af- fncted rights which the Constitution did not guarantee
 Senator Morrow of Jefferson maintained that the bill was fully in accord with the organic law of the State. that 1t did not come under local or special rules. but was general in character. The present law as it affects corporations. he de- clared. was narrow and cramped. and the need uf law such as the one under consideration was imperative
 Can you point out provision in the Constitution authorizing the extension of the charters of corporations in the man ncr set forth In tnis bil?' Senator Powell of Butler inquired.
 What the Constitution does not ex- pressv prohibit is understood to be per. r7itted." was the reply of Senator Mor- TOW
 The Constitution permits the alters- tion ar amendment Of the charters ot corporations under the general laws. but