The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-27
Representative King De- mands Thorough
 Investigation. CHARGES A REVERSED VOTE State Officials Deny Any Funny
 Business" Say if Vote Was TamPered With It Was Done Before Senate Jour-
 nal Passed Into Their
CHARGES A REVERSED VOTE

The charge Is made fin Birmingham and. by no less a person than Repre- sentative ]. c. King. himself, the au- thor of the bill, that the Greater Bir- nlingham bill was tempered with on its passage through the Senate These defects in the passage of the bill as Mfr King names them, are in his opin- ion sufficient to invalidate the Dill, ana he fears that when they are presented to the Supreme Court. that body will declare the bill unconstitutional.
 In the meanwhile the State officials who have charge of the journal of the Senate. say that no charge has been made in it. and that if there was any funny business" about 1t, 1t was done before the Senate journal passed In their hands, and they produced the rec ord to show this t
 The Greater Birmin ham bill was the most notable local measure passed by the last Legislature There was more talk. more discussion. and more "scrappinsy" over this bill than over any other local bill. Much of the dif- ference occurred oyer the provision naking North Birmingham part of me city, In North Birzniashana there ks located some valuable furnace and mining property. The charge was made and repeated that the corpora tion owning this property opposed the passage Of the bill, and was un%hling for North Birmingham to be made q part of Greater Birmingham because. if this was done, they would have city saxes to pay.
 passage of the bill. And as he repre- sented Jefferson County. and as the Senate had been accustomed to allow the senatorial courtesy Of deferring to tho affected Senator on all local mat ters the bll stood but small chance of passage until the closing days of the session when it was carried through by a narrow vote ard with Senator Miller stiIl opposing it.
 Now that these charges have been made. and if the prediction ot Repre- sentative Klnty is correct that the Su- preme Court must declare the bill un- constitutional. # will be heavy blow to Birmingham, and If is more than possible that both Montgomery and Mobile in the next census will show a larger population in the corporate iim- its than Birmingham. B
 The case attacking the unconstitu- tionality of the bill and bringing for ward the discrepancies In the Senate Journal, is already before Judge A. O Lane, of the. City Court of Birrning- nam. From hls court the case will b. carried to the Supreme Court of thu State.
 Mir Kings charge made in the public press Is that the yea vote on the four amendments to the bill was changed tC The nay vote. He says. further, that the printed journal, sent out by tho State printers sh ows that the full yea and nay vote on the final passage oi the bill. but that in the official record now on file at the Capitol, the yea votl is given, but the nay vote is elini. mated.
 If Representative King is correct II his contention the bill will In all prob ability be declared unconstitutional. II the meanwhile it is said that a deman, wtIl be made from Birmingham oI Governor Conner to make a thorough investigation of the chaqges, and [, put the blame and punishment wh CT 1t belongs. if the charges are found t be true.
 A pretty sensation seems to b shaping, although 1t does come iron Birmingham. which Is, a storm cente of all things political. Capitol official yesterday said that they were at tn first of the alleged charges. and unti an investigation shows something deh nite. they are not inclined to take an of Clearinghouse political matter serl ously.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald in al editorial Saturday morning had tn following to say of the situation, whic seems to be the live thing now, sine the Sheriff and Solicitor have sheathe their fountain pens and gone away t some quiet spot to cool of:
 Representative King says the Great CT Birmingham bill passed by the Sen ate and signed by the Governor is no the bill that appears on the ofncial jour