The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-28

insolvent, insurance sales. etc. offered by Senator Norman, was voted down. Like wise an amendment to exempt ferries tick, was tabled.
 Senator Hayne got after dealers in fu- lures, and in an amendment proposed to tax such dealers in towns of over 30.- 900 population 5000, in towns less than 5000 and more than 10000, $500 and in towns of less than 10000 of population $500. The amendment failed.
 Senator Rogers of Sumter then offered an amendment to absolutely forbid the operation of bucket shops,' and he ex- piained the difference between legiti- mate cotton exchange and a bucket shop He saw no difference in the moral side of bucket shops and a game of "seven- and-eleven." The subdivision was adopt ed as reported from the house, taxing dealers in cities of 200oO and over. $500 and cities and towns of less than %, 900 of population $350
 Senator Lynne made a futile attempt to get in an amendment to require a double license for retail liquor dealers, who also do a wholesale business.
 Senator Hogue made an effort to in- crease the graduated license on liquor dealers by almost double. His argument in favor of the amendment was that it would prove revenue getter. His speech caused hot cross fires from Senators Spraggins, Morrow, NeSmith and Dunn. The amendment was tabled by vote of 15 to 12. Those who favored the amend ment were Senators Acree, Bostick, Hogue, Hurst. Jones, Kennedy, Lancas- ter, Long, Norman. Rogers Smith and Spencer. All of these senators represent dry" or dispensary districts. The pro- vision was left as at present.
 Tav an cIo4 M.nhinao
 Senator Screws proposed new sub division fixing a tax of s2 on each slot machine, including music boxes, phono- graphs and weighing machines having nickel or penny slot devices, provided that no one person shall pay a license in one county of more than $25, without reference to number of machines oper- ated. This was adopted.
 An amendment by Senator Wolff, fixing the license tax on dealers in pistols, etc., $50 instead of s1O0 was adopted. l Senator Goldsby got through an amend ment reducing the privilege tax on plum bers. In cities of more than 10000 the tax is slo, in less than 2Ooo0, $. Night Session. The night session was largely consumed with discussion of the back tax law and 1 the proposed tax of fifteen cents per ! hundred on mortgages in lieu of all other taxes.
 1 The privilege tax on warehouses in or l within one mile of cities of more than l 20, 600 thousand inhabitants was increased 1 from $2O to $50 and in all other places s20. 1 The section providing for $10 license on i dealers in witness certificates was stricken l out.
 Senator Spraggins made an earnest but l intellectual effort to repeal the back tax 1 provision in the bill MT. Spraggins got in l an amendment providing that before the l county tax commissioner shall summon | witnesses as to value of their property where raises are contemplated. he must submit the cause to the board of commis- sioners or like court. If this court finds the case meritorious then the tax com missioner can summon the witnesses.
 Taxes on Mortgages. l The provision for a tax on mortgages | at the rate of fifteen on the hundred dol | lars caused a long wrangle. Numerous l amendments were offered and voted down 1 and before the adjournment of the session I almost every member had spoken one or more times It was very clearly brought out that the intention of the tax is to reach the foreign mortgage
 The tax feature was championed by l Senators Dunn, Morrow Rogers, Thom- as, Powell, Goldsby. Senators Blaclmon, Bullock and Hogue opposed it. An amend ment exempting mortgages given for ad- vapces for making crops and all mort gages for less than StO0 was adopted. The section was finally adopted.
 The Oil Provision.
 The last section of the bill providing for tax of $10,000 on oil companies and 1 $150 additional in each county, was taken up. Senator Powell offered an amend ment that in lieu of the above provision a general examination of all oil sold in the state be had, none to be offered at 1 less than 130 proof.
 1 The examination is to be made by the state chemist at Auburn, and every gall Ion of oil must bear tag signed by the chemist and state auditor. 4 tax of three-quarters of one cent is placed on all 1 Illuminating oil, one-half cent to go to the state and one-quarter cent to Au- burn college. The senate did not finish the bill, adjourning at midnight.