The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-10
OOertOn Talks Of Work
 Done By the Legislature
WILL MAKE EFFORTS TO GET AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR GOOD DS-SUBMlTTED TO VOTE NEXT YEAR.

Senator John W. overton of Randolph came to Birmingham to attend the public reception to Lieutenant Governor Henry B. Gray and Representative Jere King in the matter of the Greater Birmingham
 legislation. He was one of the most important factors in the adoption of the bill.
 Senator Overton Is d lawyer. a news paper man and is also extensively inter- ested in mercantile enterprises in his county. He is noted for his love for hts friends and his loyalty.
 Randolph county is the native county of the Heflins, who are and have been conspicuous in the business, professional and political life of the state. It is the home of Maj. W. A. Handley. identified with the business life of Birmingham, and also prominent in the political af- fairs of the state.
 Speaking of the legislature, which con- cluded its labors on Wednesday, Senator Overton said;
 "As chairman of the committee on com merce and common carriers l introduced all the platform bills relating to those matters and defended and pressed them into enactment in the senate. As a result the bill reducing the freight rate on 10 commodities became a law. Under this bill the rate of freight is reduced to point only a little in excess of the Geor- gia and Mississippi rate.
 "The Gray 21a-cent passenger rate be- came a law. 1 am much pleased to see that the Southern railway has grace fully yielded to the expressed mandate of the people and public opinion will be mol lifted towards this corporation. The other corporations will find 1t far better to accept the orders of the people of Ala bama, expressed through their governor and legislature, than to farther persist in a policy which will but intensity the spirit of the people to compel the cor porations doing business in Alabama to respect the laws of the state and to deal equitably and justly with all the people.
 ''The legislature passed law em- towering the railroad commission to name maximum rate. This bill was ldi llltI dHtiutu lo ptIIIilt lHe Coliiils- sion to raise or lower the rates or equalize them.
 "The Sunday freight train bill was lost. The Lusk employers liability bill was not passed. but the subject was covered in the code which was adopted.
 ''I was deeply interested in the child labor bill. I know that it is the very Ia vV in in tba h ern states for all parties. While it pro- tects children it does not prevent poor children or the children of those depen- dant upon them for support from work ing for living for all While 1t per mts twelve hours labor it protects youth and innocence as far as legislation can. Under it's provisions only boys of 12 and girls of II may work in the day. Girls employed at night must be 16 years and | over.
 'I regard the appropriations as well in keeping with the demands of the peo- l pie and the revenues coming into the states coffers. The schools of the state and the old soldiers were well provided for. These two benehciaries of taxation are very near and dear to all the people and are entitled to the most generous appropriations permissible under the present tax rate.
 The legislature remedied certain evils | in the fertilizer business. Now fertilIs ,r must carry a tag showing just what 1t | contains. It was ordered that cotton seed meal sold as fertilizer must contain at least l4 per cent ammonia.
 "On the sales of drugs and spirituous liquors proper legislation was enacted. | The Miller hop jack bill is a law.
 The high schools for counties is all