The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-09
HOUSE VOTES ANTI-L0BBY John Measure Passes Lower Branch. LESS DRASTIC THAN FIRST Ell is Robbed of Most Radical
 Features. Provides Against Forsons Working for Passage ef Proposed Law for
 CompeBsat,on---nuIg r Amend
 meat Is Refused.

Johns antl-iob5y bill passed the House yesterday in an amended form :. The measure had been twice before the Committee on Judiciary. and the final measure adopted was the product of a subcommittee of that body. head- ed by Mir. Guntcr of Montgomery.
 The measure as 1t passed is much less drastic than in the form in which It was first presented. In it's original form the measure provided that no person, under any circumstapces. might discuss any pending legislation with a member of the Legislature, without having first registered his name as a lobbyist for or against that particular bill. without becoming liable to heavy penalties.
 The committee substitute, on the other hand, while it contains a gen. eral provision that all persons desir- ing to discuss pending measures with any members of the lawmaking body shall register. provides no punishment whatever for failure to so register. unless the person is lobbying" for compensation. In other words, failure on the part of any citizen who has come to the Capital City to see his legislation in general or some par ticular bill, to inscribe his name on the lobbyists register, is not made a penal offense.
 Wnl Not Exclude Unpaid Lobbyist.
 The only contest on the passage of the measure was over the adoption of an amendment proposed by Mir. Bulger of Tallapoosa, exempting persons who receive no pay for lobbying from the Llent was designed for the protection of the citizens of the State who might desire to come to Montgomery to work for or against any bill on their own behalf, without compensation and also that large class that might desire to talk with members of the Legislature regarding pending legislation in gen. eral.
 The amendment was discussed at considerable length. both pro and con. and when it finally reached a vote was defeated by the friends of the bill as reported by fairly close vote.
 The provisions in the measure against any corrupt solicitation of votes are as stringent as in the original bill. The penalty for conviction of such of- fense is placed at from one to two years in the penitentiary. Failure by lobbyists working for compensation to register according to law. or for know ingly making errors in registration. Is punishable by Imprisonment for shorter terms.
 It is provided in the bill that every grand jury in the State fin the future shall be specially charged with the act, and 1t Is made the duty of the Gov ernor to enforce the law.
 Wants House to Get Busy.
 Hon. ". J. Price, Representative from Russell County, opened the ses- sion of the House with prayer. The morning roll call showed seventy seven members present. As usual the journal was approved without reading
 The Rules Committee reported three special orders for next week, as fol- lows:
 To prohibit the display of nude pie lures in public places except art gal leries February 15.
 Immigration bill, February It.
 King fee bill, February i3, at s:15 p. m.
 All were approved by the House.
 When the special order for We'd nesday night was reported. Mir. Pitts of Dallas protested against special or- ders for the evening sessions. and gave notice that in the future he would actively oppose any attempts to make such special orders He wanted the House to get down to work on the cal endar some time during the session.
 Among a large number of bills upon which reports were received from
 
 to exempt the Central Alabama Fair Association of Selma from taxation. liquor license fee, etc. with q favor able report from the Committee on Local Legislation.
 The Committee on Appropriation reported favorably on the bill to erect tomb at the grave of John Murphy. fourth Governor of the State.
 The committee also reported the blOs for appropriating money for the sup port of the State University at Tus- caIoosa. the Alabama Polytechnic In- stitute at Auburn. the Girls Industrial School at Montevallo. the, Boys Indus- trial School at East Lake, and. the Medical College at Mobile
 On motion of Mir. Carmichael of Col bert, the privileges of tho floor was extended for the day to Judge Simpson. Probate Judge of Colbert County. and on motion of Mir. KorneSay of Dallas, to Judge Pitts, Probate Judge of Dal~ las County. At the afternoon session the privilege of the floor was granted to Congressman Sidney J. Bowie and to x-Represontative Joiner of Tal- ladega.
 Adjourn Over Mardi Gras.
 MT. Hoffman of the joint committee to arrange for the trip ts Mobile to attend the Mardi Gras festival Mon. day and Tuesday, reported q concur rent resolution that when the Legisla- tura adJourns today. 1t shall adjourn until "Wednesday morning at II o'clock. Under suspension of the rules, the res oIutlon was passed without opposition.
 MT. Long of Butler. Chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Common Carriers, called up Senate Bill No. li, fixing the freight rate upon hundred leading articles of commerce, which was made special order Thursday for that hour The question came up on the adoption of some minor amend mcnts suggested by the Committee
 Mir. Pitts of Dallas said he had read the bill, but knew no more what It was about than the King of slam knew about the mcAnderings of Pole Cat fvreek Hc should therefore vote