The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-22
SENATE WORKS WITHOUT TALK Lawmakers Industrially
 Inclined TO STOP CONTRIBUTIONS Bill Introduced to Prevent Cam
 paign Fund Gifts. In.k Measure At First Applies To Presents From Corporations
 Senator BIackmon Would
 Make It Sweeping,

 was industrially inclined yesterday and after putting in an hour and half, 1t had completely done its work. and had done 1t with no talking or speechmak- ing.
 The Senate took no back tracks at its yesterdays session, although recon sidera ton had been looked for. The pre- liminary motion for reconsideration had been made by Senator Blackmon, and he was expected to follow up his notice yesterday, but he said at the close of the session, he had changed nls mind on the matter, and would not pur- sue it any further.
 The bill in question was the first bill passed by the Senate, fixing a new method by which the Board of Equal ization could assess the railroad prop erty of the State Whatever defect was in the bill, if any, will remain for the present undiscovered. It is understood a copy of this measure was carried 10 Birmingham and examined by H. C. Selheimer, the constitutional lawyer or Governor Conner. who will pass upon the validity of all bills in which the administration is specially interested.
 The I.usk two-cent rate bill was the orly measure that remained on the cal endar, when the Senate got through yesterday. and 1t was there only be- cause the bill itself was In the hands Of the printer. and the Senate could not get hold of it. This bill will be so amended in the Senate that 1t will fix the passenger rate in Alabama at two and a half cents a mile. Such Is the recommendation of the Governor in his message, and 1t is safe to say the Sem ate will carry out that recommenda- tion, Just as the House carried out the recommendation of the Governor on the appropriation of $30o.oO0 for the com mon schools
 Forbids Political Contributions.
 The appearance of the Lusk bill, for bidding corporations from making any contribution for political purpose, appeared for few moments, and dur ing it's consideration, the industrial quiet of the Senate was threatened. Hut an oratorIcal display was avoid ed by a resolution instructing the Sec retary to have three hundred comics of the bill printed for the information of members of the Legislature. This was done at the request of Senator Reese.
 In the meanwhile. Senator Blackmon had offered an amendment making the bill apply to persent IS well as corpor- ations. If the amendment and the bill Is passed, it will be a sweeping meas ure. No corporation. and no person. If the amendment sticks, can contribute either to the campaign fund of party or an individual The bill yesterday did not get far enough for discus l sion.
 The introduced bills yesterday in cluded an important measure from Sem ator D. NJ. White. of Coosa- The bill deals with the tag tax on guano It is ed by thirty cents tax on every ton of guano sold in Alabama. and turn 1t over to the common school fund.
 The session of the Senate began with prayer by Rev. J. W. O'Hara, pastor of the Clayton Street Baptist Church. There were thirty-three Senators pres- ent.
 The roll call for the introduction of bills brought out a large number. A bill of Senator Hammer, although a To- cal measure, Is of sufficient importance to attract attention all over the State. The bill seeks to prevent the sale ot whfskey at Mountainboro. in Etowah County. The disorder at Mountain boro. with attendant crimes of vio- lence have filled considerable space in the newspapers of Alabama.
 Mountainboro in the rast year has achieved a reputation for lawlessness second only to western mining camp. Several crimes, from brutal murder down the calendar, have been commit ted. A number of men and women liv- ing at Mountainboro have had trouble with the law officers of Etowah County. A reckless gang 1t is said. operates about the little mountain town and their center of operation is said to be about a saloon in Mountainboro.
 Soft Pedal For MOuntainbOrO. MT Hammers bill |. an effort to put the soft peoaI on Mountainboro. and | have it become as quiet and orderly as | the average Alabama town of the same size It forbids the sale of whiskey within three miles of Sardis Church In | Etowah County.
 The first bill called up for final pas sage was the bill of Senator Miller of Jeffeson County, which amends the present chartered clubs The present | law limits the membership of such clubs to 300 members. The bill re- moves any limitation on the number of members who may belong to the club | The bill was passed without opposi | ton
 Senator Lusk's bill to forbid corpora tions making campaign contributions, was next taken up, The bill forbids and corporation doing business under the laws of Alabama to make con tribution to the campaign fund of any party or any candidate.
 Seantor Blackmon offered a resolu- ticn. making the bill apply to persons as well as to corporations. The effect | of the amendment Is to make 1t unlaw full for either a person or a corporation to make a contribution 10 either cam paign fund or to the expenses of a can didate.
 Senator Reese. of Dallas said he did not understand the bill, and as it ap peared to he an important measure. he asked that 300 copies of the bill he printed for the use of the Senators. Senator Lusk agreed to the sugges- tion of Senator Reese, saving, however. that 1t only embodied plank in the Democratic platform.
 The two fnal bills on the days cal endar were bills In which Selma Is es pecially interested. The first bill es- abolished the office of Deputy Solicitor of Dallas CJunty. The Deputy SN- licitor is to receive an annual salary of S1 700. and is 10 serve the City Court of Selma.
 Teh second bill, also local measure, provided for the extension of the bound i aries of the city of Selma Both bills { were passed without oposition. 1 The Senate adjourned after a session l of an hour and fifteen minutes.l 1 TO FRAY FOR TEMPERANCE.