The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-26
IT WAS STUBBORN FIGHT
Senators Protested Against Haste, but Majority Was
 Ruthless.
The Measure Now Goes to the Gov ernor for His Approval-Com- missioners are to Be Elected
  in November, 1904.

The Senate yesterday by vote of 20 to z, and after one of the most stubborn fights of the session, passed the House elective Railroad Commission bifl end 1t only needs the approval of the Governor to become a law.
 Except for a brief recess the upper House was in session the whole after noon and until late in the evening, and was occupied practically the whole time with this one measure.
 It was early apparent that the predic- ton made in yesterdays Advertiser, that a fight to delay action on the Railroad Commission bill with the hope of defeat ing the measure If possible was immi- nent, was well grounded. No bill that has passed the upper House at the pres ent session has met with such opposition and such variety of obstructive tactics as were accorded that measure yesterday. No plan was left untouched by which the hopeless but determined minority might see some chance to delay action before the coming recess. Amendment followed amendment when the bill was brought up for consideration.
 Among those who were most active in support of the bill were Senators Rodgers, Frazer. Craig. Powell and Hogue. Tine opposition was represented by Senators Blackmon. Goldsby, Castleberry, Bos- tick, Lynne and Screws.
 Some Provisions of the Bill.
 The bill was passed just as It came from the House. Under its provisions three Commissioners are to be elected in the general election of November, 1904. They are to serve four years each and are to go into office the first Monday in January after their election. except that President Smith, whose term does not expire until March 1, 1905. shall hot be interfered with. No person connected with a railroad is eligible to ona of the otices. Their salaries are to be paid as other State officers and they are re- Quired to meet once in each month. The powers of the Commission are greatly extended and they are authorized to en- force their orders.
 The Senate was called to order at noon by Lieutenant Governor Cunningham. prayer being offered by Rev. MT. Shores of Montgomery. Thirty-two members were present.
 The call of districts brought half a dozen new bills, none of which was of great general importance.
 When House bill 14s, the general reve- nue bill. was reported favorably by the Finance and Taxation Committee. Chair man Dunn moved to make 1t the con
  o'clock, but he was opposed Sy Senator Hogue of Perry. who had an eye to the interest of the Railroad Commission bill. and who moved to table the motion of the Senator from Clarke The motion was tabled.
 Recall of House 53S.
 House bill 5SS, which was reported fa- vorably by Chairman Blackmon for the Revision of Laws Committee on Saturday. was again given a favorable report by Senator Blackmon. The bill provides for the appointment of a Solicitor for Cal houn County. About half >an hour after the second report upon the bill had been made a message was received from the House asking for the recall of the bill. and 1t went again to the House, by which body 1t was passed late in the evening and again submitted to the Senate The fight on the Railroad Commission bill began when Senator Rodgers of Sum ter offered resolution making the meas ure the paramount continuing special or der for 12:30 o'clock.
 Senator Goldsby of Mobile at once ob- jected to this proposition, and the Chair man ruled that the resolution should be referred to the Rules Committee.
 Senator Powell of Butler submitted a resolution requiring the committee to act on the resolution at once, but the Sena- tor from Mobile met this with the state ment that the Senate had not the power to force immediate action on the part of any committee. The chairman conceded the point, whereupon Senator Goldsoy called for House bill 2S9, the special ordeI which had been set for the hour.
 Senator Rodgers moved to informally pass this bill, but the Senator from Mobile protested that the bill could not thus be disposed of The chairman held that it was in the province of the Senate to In- formally pass the bill, and this, later was done.
 Insisted on Commission Bill.
 In the meantimeSenator NeSmith moved to take up the Railroad Commission bill. when Senator Blackmon appeared on the scene, calling for the regular order, sena- tor Goldsoy supporting him in his conten- ton.
 Senator Rodgers asked that the railroad. bin be taken up, but the Senator from Mobile protested that under the rules the regular order could not be displaced
 The chairman ruled Senator Rodgers resolution out of order, and the Senator from Sumter appealed from the decision of the presiding officer.
 The Lieutenant Governor then stated that he was acting in accordance with the rules of the Senate, and that If the Senate chose to override It's rules the responsibility was with the Senate and not with him The vote was taken. the result being a reversal of the decision of the chair, the vote being Is to 1S
 Senator Rodgers then moved to make the Railroad Commission bill the para mount special continuing order for 1 o'clock to which Senator Goldsby object ed. The chairman ruled in favor of the Senator from Sumter
 A lot of amendments to the resolution were offered by Senators Blackmon and others. but they were tabled as fast as they appeared. and the bill was ordered read.
 Goldsby Makes Explanation.
 On a point of personal prlvilage Senator Goldsby protested against the engross- xnent and reading of the bill at this time. He declared that in making this protest