The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-04

ston's bill providing for a uniform text book system for the public schools of the State
 Chairman Dunn, in calling the meeting to order. referred to recent published ut terances of members of the upper House to the effect that the bill in question would likely be hung up" by the com mittee He declared that these state ments. while made probably without in tending any offense, had nevertneiess done the committee an injustice. He re- gretted the implication that the commit tee was not favorably disposed to the uniform text book idea and expressed the fullest faith in the integrity of the mem- bers composing it.
 The bill was read by Senator Thomas of Barbour. various features being dis cussed, and the merits of the whole con- sidered In a general way. The result was vote for favorable report.
 Senator Johnston was present and took occasion to state that his only motive In preparing and presenting the measure
 was to serve the State, and tighten in some measure a burden felt most serious ly by the poorer people of the State. He declared that the bill, If made law would effect a very appreciable saving in the cost of books and said that in Ten nessee where a law similar to that con- templated in the present bill Is in opera ton. a saving of s10O. 900 had resulted in one year.
 Senator Dunn expressed himself as un- eQuivocally in favor of a uniform text book system for the schools and most of the members of the committee took similar grounds.
 The understanding Is that a request will be made that Senator Johnston's bill be printed. and that when the meas ure Is brought up in the Senate every feature will be fully considered, and such amendments as recommend themselves to the Senate will be made.
 There are a few Senators in this chamber" said a member of the upper House yesterday, who are forever ready to oppose enactment of laws touching cor porations that would tend to increase the revenues of the State. yet who raise no protest when it is known that corpora tions are being formed under the laws of New Jersey for the sole purpose of operating in Alabama, paying into the treasury of that State thousands of dol lars that rightfully should come to Ala bama- These men are opposed to what they choose to call corporate aggression and their opposition Is one that does not profit the State"
 These men," he continued. do not realize that the South, though rich in the raw materials of manufacture. Is too poor to develop to the utmost its re- sources. Circumstances compel us to invite capital from the North. and the only course that commends itself to the men of the South who understand the facts Is to frame laws that shall not be restrictive; laws that are in accord with the trend of the times. It Is idle to sup pose that the idea of consolidation of capital can be successfully fought in these days. It is a matter of evolution in the business world. legitimate out come of present conditions. The laws relating to corporations now pending in this body are calculated to put this State in a position to profit largely and in a
 legitimate way by legalizing what in fact already exists and inviting further in
 vestment for the development of the only half-touched resources of the South.' Senator Norman of Chambers proposes | to equalize matters between the railroads and the public in the matter of demur- rage. In bill he introduced in the Sen | ate yesterday he seeks to have enacted a | law that will require all railroads hold | ing goods in car lots not delivered after | reasonable time to pay demurrage such as Is exacted by the roads when goods remain in cars more than two days after | reaching destination.
 The Senator says this is cnly a measure of justice to the public. He cited in- stances where the non-delivery of goods by roads had caused serious inconven- fence. where mills and factories had been obliged to shut down for want of coal ordered long previously and which had
 been side-tracked and held for days to suit the convenience of the railroads. He believes that the roads should be under the same regulation as the public as to dem urrage.
 number of business men and officials of corporations in Alabama were given hearing last night by joint meeting of
 the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation and the House Committee on
 Ways and Means The meeting was held in the Senate hamber.
 The subject under discussion was the gross income tax on public utility corpo- rations as provided by the general reve- nue bill.
 This feature of the bill was opposed in earnest speeches by w. F. Vandiver and Raphael Semmes of Montgomery; Robert Jemison and R. H. Pearson of Birming- HdI1, ana +, M. AhbOtt or Selma. Hon. John Craft of Mobile spoke against the tax levied by the bill on brokers. The original bill was defended by w. M Blakey, Tax Commissioner of Montgom- cry County
 The committee will meet again tonight
 The Agricultural Committee of the
 House held an important meeting yester- day afternoon at the capitol in the gal
 lery of the House of Representatives. The
 meeting was attended by a full commit
 tee. The two important matters coming
 up for consideration were the Senate bill
 reducing the tag tax on fertilizers to 30 cents and the bill which seeks to abolish
 the District Agricultural Schools in Ala
 bama. The Senate bill for the reduction Of the tag tax was amended so that the tax would be reduced to 25 cents instead
 of 30 cents The bill will in that shape be reported to the House today. The
 committee decided to adverse the bill
 aboishing the District Agricultural schools
 The sentiment for a divided session of the Legislature grows daily in strength Many of the legislators do not hesitate to predict that the session will be cut in two. The Senate has passed a resolution roising a committee of three from each house to consider the advisa bility of dividing the session. to suggest a date for the first adjournment and to recom- mend a date for the reconvening of the Legislature The resolution was refer red to the Committee on Rules which, 1t is thought will fayorably report 1t to-