The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-30
SENATE TAKES NEGOTIABLE
 BILL OFF ADVERSE CALENDAR

Association, was taken from the ad- verse calendar yesterday by the Sem ate with only six votes opposing it. The bill is regarded by both the bank , CTS and the lawyers of the State as be- ing a great step forward in the com merce of the State.
 If the bill passes. Alabama will be the thirty-second State to unite on a general negotiable instrument bill. The bill provides for a uniformity of ne- gotiable instruments which can be handled In all States. acting under the law framed on the same general model.
 While Alabama was tardy in adopt ing the idea which has been made part of the commercial law of those States which have been better known industrially. the idea came from the brain of an Alabamian and 1t SO com mended itself to the bankers and thinkers of New York that 1t was put in the law of that State The value of the idea was then so we'll recognized that other States in quick succession embodied the idea into their own com mercial law.
 The plan which has meant so much to the business world of the common country came from the brain of Col; H. Clay Tompkins. a distinguished Montgomery lawyer of a decade ago. He worked out the idea in a masterly paper to which he devoted his best thought and care. This paper he read before the American Bar Association on August 20. 1890. It made a deep impression. It was the subject of care. ful research and study, but study it as well as they might. the able law yers that made up the American Bar Association could find no fault with 1t.
 Alabama Was Backward. Lawyers and bankers combined in an investigation of the idea, but its sim- plicity and strength was its own re- | commendation. New York led of in the adoption of it. She was quickly fol- lowed by other States. But Alabama. where the idea was born, manifested singular indifference to it. The State Bankers Association of Alabama. however. became enthusiastic over the proposition. but for several years failed of their hope of getting 1t incorporated into law. Twice before the bill has passed one House. The | last meeting of the Association named | Legislative Committee, headed by Chappe1l Corey of Birmingham. to push the bill through the Legislature. It had already passed the House, but in the Senate it had been hung up. Un- der an adverse action of the commit. tee the measure was sleeping. The friends of the measure went to work. however, and had 1t taken from the adverse calendar.
 Senator Lusk went out against the bill and the motion. He was opposed in A11 l attacked the lobby which he declared had been at work for the bill. The Senators had certainly seen the lobby from the bankers he said, in the Ex. change Hotel. and in the Capitol lob bies The bill was a measure, he de- clared. to put power in the hands of the interruptions to the detriment of the uninformed. He. saw vast possi- bilities for evil in the measure.
 Senator Moody. who Is himself a banker, took an opposite view He mad he said. felt like the Senator from Marshall at one time. But since then he had examined the bill more care fully. He had studied the idea and he was impressed with the wisdom of the proposed measure.
 Senator Moody said that while he was conservative by nature. under the common acceptance of the term. he nevertheless did not stand in the way of progress. The bill, he believed, con- ta1ned provisions which would mean much for the progress of the State.
 The merit of the bill was discussed by senator Spragins. He had given thought to the bill and he was pre- pared to give 1t his earnest support. The uniformity of negotiable fnstru- ments was the desire of bankers and commercial men throughout the coun- try Alabama should not lag behind her sister States
 The bill and its bearing upon the banking industry of the country were discussed by Senator Hammer of Eto- | wah.
 Dtscussion Grows Lively.
 The discussion of the negotiable in- struments bill was lively because oi the vigorous attack made upon the measure by Senator Lusk. Incidental, | he declared: | No home will be safe from the slick tongued swindler who may secure q mans signature by fraudulent mean, ana take away every bit of property | he owns. y
 Senator Moody in his discussion oi | the Dill took notice of the mora wig. orous remarks made by the Senate, | from Marshall, which by his line ot | argument he intimated were directed towards the criticism of lawyers an
 bankers In speaking of the adoptior
 Of the bill by several of the Northern bStates. he said they had shown an en. Frightened sense
 Because said Senator Moody
 wherever there is a lawyer to prose
 cute, there is a lawyer to defend. Tn,
 Senator from Marshall. like many hon
 est and sincere men lets his preiudic,
 run away with his judgment Banker,
 and lawyers are honest honorabl,
 men,"
 T admit that" said Senator Lusk. | Then why not pass the bill?" sait
 Senator Moody. for more lawyers thaI
 bankers want the bill passed"
 The motion was then put and tn,
 bill was ordered to be placed on tn,
 regular calendar by vote of Is to 9
 Incident to the morning session, Sen
 ator Jones set in motion a movemen
 to abolish capital punishment in Ala
 bama, He introduced a bill to abolisl
 capital punishment and to provide tha
 the severest punishment to be inflicted should be imprisonment for life a hard la bor.
 Fertilizer Bill Up. The Leith bill regulating the sal and manufacture of fertilizers in Ala bama was brought up by its author Senator Leith of Walker. The bill is result of the investigation into tn fertilizer business In Alabama by tn special Legislative Committee whicl sat during the recess. The inVestiga ton itself attracted general attention )M~