The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-19
SENATE PROVIDES $1OO,OOO
 FOR HEROES OF CONFEDERACY

cers could be chosen at the next regular election, was passed without debate. | House bill AS, called up by Senator | Lynne of Morgan, did not pass though ably defended by the Senator from Nor l gan' The bill provided for the establish | ment or the law and equity court of Nor l gan County. It was held by number of | Senators that since a committee had been l appointed to take action looking to the redistricting of the State, it would be un- | wise to legislate in this direction until the committee should report and make | recommendations.
 The measure was opposed by Senators | Castleberry, Harrison, Powell. Spragins | Dunn and Norman.
 On motion of Senator Spragins, action | on the bill was deferred until the redis- tflcting committee had been heard from. The osteopathy bill on motion of Sena- | 'or Hogue. was made the special order for | l o'clock today
 , On motion of Senator Hogue, a recess was taken until 3:30 o'clock in the after | noon.
 Two bills were qdicklv passed on recon- vening These were Senator Dunns bill, to amend the Code of 1896. providing for the recovery of damages to trees by the owner, and House bill l70 providing for guards Tor the Montgomery County jail.
 Confederate Appropriation Bill.
 House bill 3s6 approprating s1oo 900 yearly for the relief of needy Confeder- ate soldiers, sailors and widows, was then called up by Senator Jones. who made a spirited and earnest defense of the measure.
 Senator Screws followed with an elo- quent appeal in behalf of the disabled berces of the late war
 "A more n eritnrinuS hill uac paver pra- sented to the Alabama Legisiature.' he declared. No Confederate soldier since that sanguinary conflict has ever been seen about the Capitol asking alms for they are too proud to beg. 1t is for the remnant of that yearly lessening band that this message seeks relief, and if 1t tails 1t will be a deed of dishonor on the part of the State"
 Senator Frazer of Bullock declared that II was the regret of his life that he should De obliged to oppose the measure at this time. He held that this was not the time TOT such action, and moved that the bill De committed to the Finance and Taxa tion Committee until there had been some action on the revenue bill, He declared that he was not less a friend of the old soldier because of the stand he had been opilged to take, but to pass the bill at 'he present moment when all was so un- o heId, would be unwise and unsafe Senator Dunn of Clarke was willing to go as far as anyone to do honor to the old soldier, but held that the Senate was assembled for business purposes and could not afford to be carried off its feet by sentiment. He lauded the course of the State In its efforts to care for the needy soldiers. but declared that the Sen ate should go slow at present until the members of the Legislature could see where the money appropriated was com- ing from.
 Acree Willing to Incur Debt.
 T have earned the reputation of voting for everything" said eSnator Acree of Dale. and l am not going to break my record now. The opposition is using the same tactics now as were used two years ago. and which resulted in the defeat of measure similar to this It Is better to pin flower on the lapel of a living soldier than to scatter thousands on the graves of the dead. It is better to help the few veterans that remain than to honor them with monuments and empty eulogies after they are gone. I don't care what the condition of the treasury Is; the State can float bonds with which to meet the expenditure this bill calls for if necessary l am willing that the State should go in debt if the old soldiers can not otherwise be provided for"
 eSnator Acree was vociferously applaud ed as he sat down.
 Senator Harrison of Lee. who is com mander of Alabama Division Cnited Con- federate Veterans made a fervent ap- peal for aid for the needy Confederate veterans and indulged in some rather warm reference to Senators Dunn and Frazer for insisting on moderation and rnc ctStIY naa lad ,tn1 1c that had been made for relief for the old soldiers. He lauded Senator Acree for the stand the latter had taken, and de Clared he would vote for the bill If he knew there was not dollar in the treasu- ry. He held that this measure should not be considered coldly and dispas- sioHately. and that 1t should not be re- ferred to a committee which could act only in a business-like manner.
 Hogue Ready to Vote.
 T am heartily in favor of the bill, and ready to vote for it now" said Senator Hogue
 We owe something to the old soldier" declared Senator Oliver. This Is not merely a matter of sentiment. Voting for this bill is duty not to be avoided You have my vote and my support"
 Senator Johnston of Tuscaloosa recalled the futile effort at the last session of the Legislature to get a similar bill through He was satisfied that if this bill was referred to the committee it would meet the same fate.
 "When we recall what the old soldiers did for us" said Senator Johnston, it Is not in the power of the Legislature to repay the debt we owe for the sacrifices they made. If there is not sufficient money with which to properly care for the Confederate veterans 1 would will ngly vote for mourning a debt of $10O,OOO