The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-31
FIERCE DEBATE IN SENATE:
 APPROACHED DANGER LINE

- DsUsS~ ~esA ~N>s - farmer.
 T would not place the State in the umenv1sbas position of having assumed an obligation and then surrendering the means for meeting it." he declared. Hatmers Want the Tax. '76y constituents, and they ere for the most part farmers. are willing to pay this tax." said Senator Jones of Wilcox. we cannot secure more than is at present allowed for the support of the schools from the general fund. and. this being 50. I am not willing to see crippled any educational institution in the State. am confident that the committee which proposed the rate of 90 cents acted wisely. but would be willing to see the tax re- main at 50 cents."
 Senator Oliver of Shelby favored the proposed rate.
 The tax as it is. is not felt as special hardship in my district,' he said.
 T believe many of the Senators who have advocated the 3o-cent rate are recreant to their duty." was Senator Powell's declaration. If a 30-cent or 5o- cent tax Is wise. why not increase it to $l?"
 He presented figures from the reports of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries tending to substantiate his claim that the revenue derived from the tax was far in excess of that required for the support of the schools in question. and argued for a reduction to IS or 20 cents. e.-s
 Such tribute as the present law pro- vides should not be expected from any special class of our people," said he. "The present tax will pile up in the treasury by next October a surplus of s7800O, and from this should be taken what Is necessary to make up any pos sible deficiency in the revenue for the schools caused by reduction in the tax, instead of paying out of 1t the salaries of some of the constitutional officers as is now the practice"
 Senot Rodgers of Sumter was opposed on general grounds to the imposition of such tax, but inasmuch as the schools in question were largely dependent upon the tax thought it would not be wise to wipe 1t out altogethsr.
 The Auditors report" said he shows that Alabama Is cripped financially. It is better to have a small surplus, even In the general fund than to have a deficit to be met from that fund"
 Senator NeSmith of Lamar. offered an amendment reducing the tax to 10 cents. On motion of Senator Dunn 1t was tabled.
 Senator Powell submitted an amend ment making the rate 25 cents per ton. which was tabled
 Senator Lynne of Morgan presented an amendment fixing the tax at Is cents. which met the same fate, as did also senator Bostick's amendment to raise 1t to 50 cenrs.
 The substitute was then adopted. H to 5. Senators Harrison, Hogue. Nor man. Powell and Stone voting in the negative The bill as amended passed. 2s to f. Senators Bostick. Hogue. Nor man and Stone opposing it.
 Senator Johnston then asked leave to introduce his bill providing for a uniform system of text books for the use of the public schools of the State, He request ed that the measure be referred not to the Committee on Education as would be the usual course. but to the Commit te on Constitution aad Constitutional Amendments.
 And Then the Storm Broke.
 ''In making this request" he sad II do so in the belief that the Committee on Education. made irp as 1t is largely of hoid-over members of the same com mittee at the last sesslcn. is prejudced against the measure. What these mem bers thought and voted at the last ses- sion 1t is safe to assume they will think and vote now. I desire-"
 MT. President. l rise to a point of order" interposed Senator Goldsby of Mobile, 'I wish the remarks of tine Senator from Tuscaloosa reduced to writing"
 Senator Johnston disclaimed any inten- tion of casting any reflection upon the hoesty of the Senator from Mobile or of any members Of the Committee on Edu- cation.
 "I still insist that the Senator's re- marks be reduced to writing" said Sena- tor Goldsby. The chairman ruled the point we'll taken.
 Am I to understand that I am to re- duce my remarks to writing at this timer" Senator Johnston inqrAred.
 He was assured that this was not ex- pccted.
 Senator Johnston stated that the bill as drawn. if 1t operated in this State sue cessfully as similar one had in Tennes- see, would result in a saving of s100, 900 yearly for those of the State least able to bear any unnecessary burden.
 Stopped by Acree.
 He was interrupted by Senator Acree.
 T object to the discussion of the bill at this time. The Senator from Tusca- Ioosa Is out of order" said Mir. Acree.
 
 Johnston continued. why l asked that this bill be not referred to the Commit tee on Education. If the measure goes to that Committee, with three-ffths rule prevailing in this body for its recall from an adverse calendar. it will prob ably be lost. At the last session a simi- lar bill met the opposition of a rich and powerful Northern book trust and was downed, and I am confident we will have to fight this same book trust now. Know ing that a majority of the members of the Committee on Education have placed themselves or record in this matter think the bill should not be referred to them
 Senator Powell Of Butler. moved that the request of Senator Johnston be grant ed.
 Goldsby Denounces Report.
 Senator Goldsby objected.
 T rise to point of personal privilege" ." he said with spirit. T hope that I have been courteous in my intercourse with the Senators here certainly I have al ways tried to be; but there have per haps been occasions when it would not have been out of place for me to defend myself when matters such as this were under discussion. I had no intention of alluding to the matter of which I am about to speak in the presence of the Senate: but after the remarks of the