The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-15
ALABAMA IS NOW 88 YEARS OF ACE Last Year Has Been One of Many Important Events WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE Hervey w. Laird Gives a Brief History of Important Work of Lawmakine
 Body and Other State
 Developments.
WORK or THE LEGISLATURE
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.
 Montgomery, December 14.-(Special) -Alabama is SS years of age today, and perhaps in all it's history it has not had a more eventful year, unless it be that in which it was decided to break away from the union and join hands with others of the south in an effort to set up new government. Influences have been set on foot since the first day of last January that will run long for the good of the common wealth and it's people even though things have been either worked out or begun that some do not think for the highest and the best.
 Will Live Long.
 It is in the work of the legislature that this advancement is discovered, that being a culmination of public sentiment growing for a long time. There is a difference of opinion as gen. eral as there are people about much of the lawmaking that was done and there are few but believe that in the end some of it will fall to stand the test of the courts. However this does not apply to a great deaf of work that may be termed institutional and must, in the light of history, make for good In the years that are out be- fore.
 Bills Passed.
 This work cannot better be shown than in a recitation of some of the bills passed and approved They pro- vide for a game and fish commission and adequate protection for the game and fish. a bureau of cotton statistics, modern tax mach inery by which all values may be equalized and the bur den of government be laid alike on all the counties, and the preservation of the forests, yet rich enough to make such care worth the while. Along with the others in that line, too, is the soil survey provisions, this being re- garded as a distinct mark of the up- building of a wholesome sentiment for civic progress.
 Humanitarian Service.
 An epileptic colony and tuberculosis sanitarium are two of the evidences that humanitarian ideas were dominant Tn the minds of the lawmakers, as well as the increase in the allotment for the keep of the insane at Tuscaloosa. Oid soldiers get more money and the home that shelters them when they need aid is adeonately supported The board of pharmacy is recognized and the sale or narcotic poisons, through which the ne- groes and many of the ignorant Wh'tes are going to physical ruin, has been regulated. It is also worthy or speciai note that provision has been made to reg ulate the work of children r 1actorie and see that all prisons ana houses are properly kept.
 School Support.
 Every one is familiar with the increased support given to the school systems from the bottom to the top. New schools have been provided for along with mod ern buildings in every county, more equipment and better provisions. A bet ter class of teaching is to be had under new laws, and above all, possibly, there has been provided means TOT high school in every county. Library exteh- sion is secured and a text book commls- sion authorized that will be wieldy ana capable of effective service in the pest manner. In fact there is not inc or avenue of educational effort that has not been given hearty support.
 History Preservation.
 Tn the interest of history and preser- vation service the legislature was partlc- uIarly industrious. Provision is made for securing the names O. every old Cohled- crate with data about his war ana per sonal record, and thus saving to the state no,Ioh in the way of information that might be lost without it. In addition, nrovision is made for erecting monu- ment to Jefferson Davis on the state cap itol grounds Also monuments and mark CTS on historic battlefields to show the deeds and keep the memory Of Alabama heroes of the war of secession. Ihe Tooth anniversary of the defeat or the Indians at Horse Shoe Bend is also to be celebrated.
 Departments Reoreanized.
 Most of the state departments have heen reorganized so as to make them more efficient, including the railroad commission, which has been given en- larged and extensive powers; new code is being printed and municipal code wide and comprehensive in scope has been made into law, thus relieving stua- tions about town and city government that have long been troublesome. Pro- vision has also been made to take bet ter care of the convicts and prisoners generally and to give the state in every way modern laws in the administration of all the activities of the people. Nota- ble among these is the law to put tho money of the state III clrcuiation py ioah- ing to banks.
 Railroad Laws.
 All this Is in addition to the railroad and corporation laws that are either in force or being contested in the courts. There is much difference of opinion about them. so they are not taken into the list of certain benefits, though 1t is certain that few will say that in the main the ideas of the acts are not for the best for the state and the interests affected, though many may not think the methods what they should be. Even with this out it is without question one of the greatest years in the states history.
 Other School Acts.
 Besides the school appropriations laws that were very generous In their gifts to the cause, acts were passed for reliable enumeration of children, redistricting, setting up new
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