The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-25
TALK
 OVER PASSES Tits Between Senator's
 on Question. ACTION OF SEVENTH DISTRICT Though Burnett Showed Passes. He Was Reelected Over Lusk. Hamburger Calls Up the Incident Du- ring Discussion Over Bill to Let
 shcrins Ride without
 Paying Fare.
ACTION OF SEVENTH DISTRICT

Paying Fare.
 The Senate yesterday in a session as hot as the weather. went on record as favoring the amending of the anti pass law so that Sheriffs and their chief deputies and United States mar shals and their deputies would be al- lowed to ride on passes. Nothing in the Dill which was favored by the Sem ate relates to newspaper men.
 It was the livelIest session tho Sem ate has had since 1t reconvened and one of the liveliest sessions it has ever had. The heat of the depate at one time was sizzling. but 1t simmered who had been glaring at each other across the Senate smiled amiably. one on the other.
 The old Seventh District campaign in which Senator John Lusk was de- feated for Congress by Congressman John L. Burnett. was resurrected from the past and the incident In which Congressman Burnett pulled from his pocket a book of passes was touched upon several times. Senator Lusk was reminded of his defeat and of the ac- ton of the people upon the railroad pass question when Congressman Bur- nett won out notwithstanding the is- sue.
 It sprang up suddenly when Senator Lusk was speaking against the bill, which was introduced by Senator Fred L. Blackmon. Senator Lusk declared that the use of passes had been found to be corrupting. The people of the State had SO declared. They had. Democratic Convention, made that dec laration. The question had been threshed out again and again. They had been used to influence legislation and he deplored the fact that State off, ficials and even judicial officers had condoned their use.
 Hamburger Asks . Question.
 He was interrupted by Senator Ham, burger. who asked: Did not q certain distinguished gen. tlemasi cf the Seventh District, when a candidate for Congress. produce, when asked, a handful of passes. and did not the people of his District return him triumphantly to Congress. in spite of those alleged corrupting infuences?"
 Senator Lusk admitted that such was true.
  trict have passed upon the pass ques- tion and have declared that a man can be an honest man and carry passes in his pocket? And do you not think that the gentleman in question Is an up- right man who reflects credit on the State of Alabama?'
 In replying to the questions Senator Lusk became somewhat excited. He declared he considered no man an hon. or to the State who rode on free passes.
 "The gentleman alludes to a Seventh District candidate for Congress. I have evidence in my pocket of his cor ruption and I will produce 1t if 1t is demanded. I say no man should be in Congress who would write to the Vice President of the railroad saying: roads. Don't you think that you had better come around and see me?'"
 Senator Hamburger, taking the floor. declared that the people of the Seventh District had made perfectly clear their position on the pass question and on the suitability of candidates for Con- gross. He denounced any idea that would condemn a man because he car ried passes. The gentleman in ques- tion was one of the most honorable and useful citizens of Alabama.
 Senator McWhorter said he would re- ply to the question asked by Senator Hamburger of Senator Lusk. He as serted that he felt shame that any representative of the people of Ala bama who carried and rode on passes should be considered a leader. He felt a sense of shame that any Ala bamian in an official position should submit himself to the corruption of a pass.
 Everybody Opposes Passes.
 Senator Blackmon together with sew eral of his colleagues was endeavor- ing to make the point of order that the entire discussion was out of order. Order was restored and Senator Reese spoke in favor of the bill. He paid tribute to Congressman Burnett, whom he said personally he knew only slightly. and he agreed with his fel- low Senator that the discussion of the incidents of the campaign in the Sev- enth District was out of order
 He did not think that judicial of hcer should ride on a pass. Nor would he even though It were permitted un- der the law. ride on pass while a member of the Legislature. But the bestowing of the pass question on sheriffs was an act which would assist the administration of justice. It would permit him to go after prisoners. whom he otherwise would not get
 Senator Overton favored the bill. He did not think that the sheriff should he required to pay money out of his own pocket when he was travelling in the interests of justice His own po- sition on the pass question was well known. but he believed that the sheriffs of the State were honorable men and that the interests of justice demanded such legislation.
 Senator Hamburger was for the bill '. He was getting sick and tired of the interminable talk of men being bought and corrupted by the use of passes. There never was any truth in il.
 The bill was opposed by Senator Me Uhorter. It would give a powerful advantage to railroads having litiga- ton in the courts. Senator McWhor- fer denounced the policy of giving and receiving passes V
 The proposed bill was a step back ward. in the opinion of Senator Key holds The Legislature had carried out inc will of the people and had adopted reform which the people had de- handed. He was opposed to taking any steps backwards.
 Did not the Senator this morning vote for three bills to undo some of inc work which the Legislature did in the winter?' asked Senator Thomas.
 he