The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-07

chise tax bill were also sent back by the Governor for an amendment for each. The amendment made the ope- ration of the bill harder on the com panfes which lend money on real estate mortgages and security of that kind The amendments applied particularly to the foreign money lending corpora panies express themselves as being greatly concerned over the working of these two tax bills.
 The greater part of the day, the Sem ate had nothing to do. There was not single local bill to he passed The calendar had been cleared of local bills at thet short session of Monday. There was no general bill, the passage of which was immediately necessary. These bills had already passed at pro- vious sessions of the Senate. The Sen- ate had no bius to pass yesterday, and passed none. It was in session to re- ceive and act upon conference reports. to receive and act upon messages from the Cove, nor, and for the President to formally sign all bills.
 The greater part of the day was spent informally. The Senators joked and chatted each other and visited their colleagues at the other end of the Capl- tol. Jesting motions and resolutions were now and then offered to help pass the time, and the supposed weaknesses of certain Senators were targets Tor the resolutions and motions which amused the Senate.
 The Senate's disposition of the Gov ernor's amendments to the various revenue bills. with it's attendant dis cussion come early in the session. The principal contest, however,, grew out of the Leith amendment to the license tax bill The amendment declared that sefing machine companies asd. piano and organ companies doing business in Alabma. should pay into the State Treasnrery s25 for each county In which the company should do business.
 This was the form in which this sec ton of the bill passed the House. The Senate, however. after a fight led by Ss Ssnator Teasley. amended this section by providing that a piano and organ company should pay an annual license of $100 in every county in which they had permanent place of business. The form of the original section. so far as 1t related to sewing machines was left untouched. It provided that the sewing machine companies should be required to pay license of sz5 in each county, and a license of 310 on each wagon used.
 Sewing Machine Amendment Up.
 The Committee on Confernce report ed a recommendation to the bill be sustained. The Senate members of the cimmittee were Messrs. Miller. Rev holds and Teasiey.
 Mir. Leith took the floor to vigorously oppose the conference report. He stood for the section as the bill passed the House. and for the second time. made his fight for 1t on the floor
 You propose to put special and extra tax on the poor mans necessity the sewing machine, and excuse pianos and organs which are luxuries. from the provisions of the bill,'' said Senator Leith. You know that these special licenses and wagon taxes charged in every county will pile up on the sewing machine companies. and you know the poor man will have to pay the taxes. ask you Is 1t right? Is 1t fafr?"
 Senator Reynolds said he had been widened at first to agree with the view of Senator Leith. but he had cause to think differently of the proposition af- ter he had talked it over with Senator Teasley, who seemed to be thoroughly familiar with taxation matters. He had been impressed by the argument that the pianos and organ companies main tained large stocks of goods at their established stores. and on these stocks they paid an au Vaiofem kax The amendment to the bill would equalize the licenses paid by the sewing ma chine companies, and the taxes paid by the plano and organ companies
 Senator Miller also argued the jus tice and wisdom of the amendment. He argued that 1t would be unfair to com pei a plano and organ company to pay heavy license tax and q heavy ad valorem tax at the same time, while the sewing machine companies paid only small license tax.
 Senator Miller intellectually paid a brief compliment to the service of Sen ator Teasiey on the Finance and Tax ation Committee.
 Without drawing any insidious com parisons," said Senator Miller. 'T may be permitted to say' that Senator Teas ley's service to the committee and to the Senate, has been more valuable than that of any other member of the committee. His experience, his wide knowledge of tax and revenue matters. have been invaluable to the commit tee.'
 On the. final vote, Senator Leith lost his fight, and the committee was sus- tained.
 The House resolution authorizing the