The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-16
New President Of Senate is
Warmly Received
SPEAKS OF HIS APPRECIATION
Senators Escort New Lieutenant Gov
ernor to the Stand Decorated With
Huge Bouquets of Flowers-The
House Has Busy Session.

Montgomery, January 15.-(special.)-
One of the important features of the
opening of the senate session today was
the induction into office of Lieut.. Coy.
Henry B. Gray, who was presented to
the upper body of the legislature at 1O:4S,
by the president, protein, Hon. Perry
Thomas of Barbour. There were large
number of Birmingham ladies and gem
tlemen in the gallery to see this honor
received by their fellow citizen and friend
and a huge bouquet of white and pink
roses was on the stand. the gift of
two of the well wishers of the family of
the new officer.
After the opening of the senate and
the offering of the invocation by the
Rev. Brooks Lawrence of Birmingham.
head of the Anti-Saloon league of the
state. Senator Reese of Dallas moved
that the president, pro tenn, who was
presiding in the absence of retiring Lieu
tenant Governor Cunningham, appoint a
committee to escort the new lieutenant
governor to the desk of the president. The
motion being adopted, President Pro
Tenn. Thomas named Reese of Dallas,
Miller of Jefferson and Teasley of Mont
gomery. In few moments they returned
with Mr.. Gray and in few words Pres
ident Pro Tenn. Thomas introduced him
Mr.. Gray bowed his thanks to the SEN
ator introducing him and spoke his APP
probation to him and the members of
the body. He said that the people had
elected a senate and house in con-
formity with the wishes of the governor
and that it was one of the most har-
monous of organizations far he
could see. 1t would be his purpose as far
as he is able to carry out the will of
the people thus so generally expressed.
Some of his motives had been questioned
on the floor of the senate but he had
been actuated by the pure motive of
keeping his obligation to the people. 1t
was his purpose to do his duty as IT.
seemed right and that in the face of
whatever of opposition and contention
he might have to meet. 1t had been
established by ths new rules of the SEN
ate that the majority was to rule and
he thought this the only democratic prin-
ciple. This will prevent any one man
thwarting the will of the people He asked
for the hearty support of every men,
ber of the senate and pledged them his
determination to do nothing short of his
duty.
The speech of Mr.. Gray was received
with evident good will by the members
and visitors in the senate hall
Appreciation of Cunningham.
After the induction of Lieutenant Gov
ernor Gray today, Senator Doster of Au-
tduRa OnereQ q lndl was duOpI-
ed with somewhat of enthusiasm, express
ing the appreciation of the senate for
the retiring lieutenant governor, DR.. r.
M. Cunningham
Mr. Reese asked to be relieved of
service on the committee on revision of
the Journal and the speaker pro tenn
the same with regard to the committee on
enrolled bills. Both requests were re-
fused, failing to obtain unanimous con-
sent In each case Senator Spraggins of
Madison was the objecting party.
On the call of the counties for intro
duction of bills, Senator Lusk was the
first to lead off. He presented one to
provide for subordinate employees of the
senate; also to provide for the settle
ment of claims against railroads; also to
provide for the taxation of railroad prop
erty; also to define and prohibit the un-
lawful use of money by interpretations
and others; also to provide for two cent
fares on all railroads; also to regulate
the liability of employers and masters
and their servants; also to prohibit free
passes or other reductions to individuals
by railroads and other common carriers;
also to regulate the practice in habeas
corpus cases; also to prohibit unlawful
use of fire works; also to reduce the legal
rate of interest to per cent; also to
regulate the sale of whisky and other
intoxicants.
Meal Packages.
Mr.. Hammer introduced a bill to pre-
vent the packing sacking of flour and
meal in other than lawful weight pack
ages and to define what is lawful
Mr.. Blackman introduced bill to give
the common schools the sum of S40O 900
a year in addition to what they have
Mr.. Overton presented several bills as
follows: To make the present rate of
freight in the state the maximum rate;
to fix and establish rates and cassifi-
mon carriers can contest the reasonable
ness or otherwise of any rate fixed; to
prevent common carriers from charging
higher rate of freight than is allowed
by the state.
Mr.. Strother wanted to give more money
for the support of the schools. Mr..
Heacock presented several local meas
ures, one of which was to give the COM
missioners' court of Talladega a stenog-
rapher, another to regulate claims on the
fine and forfeiture fund of that county
and to amend sections 50O5 and 5016 of the
code.
Mr.. Doster Joined the many Others with
an anti-bucket shop BILL and also got In
the crowd with a bill to give $500 900 a
wear in addition to what is now received
for the public schools Mr.. Reid asked
for dispensary at Georgiana and some
amendments to the code.
Books for Poor.
Mr.. Reynolds came to the front with
bill to provide that the state give to in
DECENT children school books.
While Mr.. Reynolds was up the message
of the governor was received and after
some discussion regarded read, with
an order that 800 copies be printed for use
of the senate.
Mr.. Reynolds had bill to prevent ship
ping of liquor into prohibition counties OF
the state and to provide against the
United states issuing licenses for the
sale of such in counties in which the
state does not allow it.
A bill was introduced to change the
methods for licensing teachers by Sena-
tor Jones. The speaker pro tenn wanted
a couple of local measures and Mr.. Gard
ner joined the ever growing procession
of those with bills to regulate the COM
mon carriers He would have new
commission law to fix the liabilities of
common carriers, provide rate making
lCoNTINUED ON PAGE A.