The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-08

anu oendte. nave called you together in extraordinary session to consider ques- lions which are deemed of the utmost importance to the state; questions the proper solution of which will aid in set ting state policies and state rights. the establishment of which it is dangerous to defer and which ought to be clearly de- fined. I submit to you the following mat ters which I consider worthy of your con- sideration:
 Reversal of Criminal Cases On Techni-
 calities.
 As unfinished business at the adjourned session, you had under consideration a bill looking to the limitation of reversals of criminal cases on technical grounds I am informed by experienced and capable meh from every section of the state that this is an important measure and should be passed. It is strongly urged that such a bill will greatly aid in securing final court decisions and promote the cause of justice in very important cases.
 Cotton Seed Meal and Fertilizer Bill.
 I am told that the cotton seed meal and fertilizer bill, which was passed at the recent session of the legislature, in some of It's requirements, works a hardship both on the manufacturer and the con- sumer. This Is very important matter, which should be most carefully consd- cred and any defect remedied.
 Forestry Preservation.
 There Is a general fear that under pres eAt conditions the timber lands of Ala bama will soon be consumed It has been suggested that remedial forestry legisla- tion should be enacted to prevent this re- suit. Such Legislation will undoubtedly be of great advantage to the future of the state, as well as to the owners of our vast timber interests.
 Epileptic Colony
 By error in the draft of the epileptic colony bill, which was passed at the re- cent session, there was no provision made for future care and maintenance. I did not sign this bill, because I thought it unbusinesslil5e to approve a bill which carried no provision for it's maintenance. I recommend that the error in the orig inal bill be corrected and similar bill passed.
 Regulation of the Sale 7f Cocaine, Etc.
 A growing evil demands that the sale of morphine and cocaine should be more strictly regulated by law. and I suggest NNo%~%NNN@CiA
 Compulsory Education.
 The bill providing for compulsory edu- cation which passed the senate and was pending on the house calendar at the adjournment of the recent session, was then, perhaps, not so we'll understood by the people as it is now. Since the legis- 1ature adjourned I have been through the state quite bit and find that public in- terest has been greatly aroused in the cause of education. There Is deep and widespread appreciation of your large ap- proprations for the benefit of our educa- tonal institutions, and a general feeling that if class of our fellow citizens is not disposed to take advantage of the lib- erality of the state along this line the future well being of the state requires a compulsory education law, that the state should exercise it's power to see that ev- cry child is given some benefit from the states bounty. I, therefore, recommend the consideration and passage of a law requiring attendance on the schools of the state and suggest that the provisions thereof should be fair and reasonable, but adequate to accomplish the important end in view.
 Regulation of Bulk Sales of Goods.
 The regulation of the sales of stocks of goods and merchandise in bulk, looking to the prevention of dishonest transactions by disposing of entire stocks of goods overnight, when evidently done to avoid the payment of equitable and just claims, demands your attention. Such a bill passed the senate at the adjourned ses- sion and was left on the calendar of the house. It is represented to me as very important measure, which should receive your attention.
 Excess Baggage Bill.
 The excess baggage bill. which passed the senate and was left on the calendar of the house. I am informed, simply lack ed time for it's final passage. Many deem this measure beneficial and just and I refer the same to your consideration. Regulation of Passenger Transporta-
 ton on Street Cars.
 A question has been raised as to wheth- CT or not your statutes regulating public service corporations allow street car com panies to furnish free transportation to policemen and firemen and reduced rates | to school children. This is an important question and I refer the same to you for consideration and appropriate action.
 Amicable Adjustment.
 Mindful of the constitutional injunction that as governor, I Shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed" and in full accord and agreement with the rail- road commission, the attorney general and the states associate counsel 1 have used every effort to settle amcably with the public service corporations of the state, so as to secure adjustment and the adoption of your laws to their conditions.
 The laws comprise the abolishment of passes, the abolishment of contributions by the railroads to campaign funds, the establishment of a 2h cent passenger rate, the making of the then freight rate the maximum rate, not to be changed with out consent of the railroad commission, and the maximum rate on no commod- tiles; the latter to be the rates that the roads of Alabama, which are also largely the roads Of Georgia, should charge on these articles; making these rates the same in Alabama as they are in Georgia, instead of permitting the changing of the and rate to higher plane as soon as the state line is crossed be- tween Alabama and Georgia The state conceded to the Southern and its allied lines some points to prevent conditions that they thought would prove and harmful. The Southern l railroad then agreed, with this modifica- tion, to put in your passenger rate bil' your no commodity rate bill and yo maximum rate bill, and to withdraw suit from the federal court, thus givin. your statutes a fair trial. The state '-- ther agreed that in the event that operation of these rates should prove gerous or confiscatory to the rail the railroad commission would ther fly and rearrange them. The off the Southern road made this agr