The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-04

passing q special law affecting the charter of a municipality. and one re- quiring the passage of general nu- nicipai code. That provision of the constitution is responsible for the mu- nfcspal code As to the wisdom of that Constitutional provision. I have nothing to say. The Legislature met and 1t was found that Mobile, Birm- ingham and Montgomery. Selma and many other cities. needed changes in their municipal charter. And 1t ap- pointed committee to draft code that would be satisfactory to all cities of the State. 1t was a stupendous under taking. It had utterly failed in the previous legislature both in the House and Senate. Mir .Gunter was elected Chairman of that Committee, a high compliment indeed to Mir. Gunter. Every city in the State. and especially Mobile. Birmingham. Montgomery and Selma. had to be consulted in the pre- paration of this code. Mir. Gunter and his fellow committeeman, under these circumstances prepared and submitted to the Legislature substantially the municipal code as it now is. It con- tains about two hundred sections and as far as I am able to judge. con- slider 1t one of the wisest. one of the most comprehensive, one of the most important pieces of legislation that the Legislature has enacted in many years. On the whole the law com mended itself to the Legislature and was passed almost unanimously. Among those voting for 1t. was MT. Maner. q relstive Of Mir. Tyson. and this vote ts undoubtedly one of the brightest spots in Mir. Maner's record in the Legfsla- ture.-- fApplause and much iaughter)
 The parts of this law relating to the Improvement of streets and side walks. have been distorted by Mir. Gun ter's opponents. I will not go Into details of this part of the law, I will only tell you that the law Is different in some respects from the law that we now have. Under the present plan. the assessment for Improvement may be paid within twenty years. and un- der the Municipal Code the assess mefft can be paid within ten years. Under the new Municipal Code, the Council. where the cost of the improve ment of the entire street or district in the aggregate does not exceed one thousand dollars. may require the prop erty owners to pay their pro rata of such cost immediately. This Is, of course. where each fifty foot would be assessed for few dollars. and in such event the property owner no doubt would prefer to pay small charge Of five or ten dollars immediately rath- CT than to have the same to run over period of teie years, The Municipal Code. unlike tie present law, gives the property owner the right to pay off his assessment at any time during the ten years at his election. Under the law as it now stands, a Council may by a vote of two o-thirds of ite mem- bers, order an Improvement where the Interest of the community requires, This provision was introduced into the Municipal Code to satisfy some of the smaller cities of the State. So. gem tIemen. have nothing personal against Mir. J. c. Tyson. and do not propose to say one word against him as a man. Like Mir. Gunter, he has serv- ed in public life in Montgomery. and like Mir. Gunter, he is soliciting the people to elect him Mayor. The record Of each man as a public off, cfal IS a legitimate and proper subject of criticism. I. therefore, have the right to speak to you upon the record that Mir. Tyson has made for himself as an Alderman from Ward Two. We have seen what Is Mir. Cutters record as a member Of the Council. now let us turn and for a few moments con sider what Mir. Tyson's record is. He has been in the Council for over two years. He has had ample opportunity to demonstTate his worthiness and fit- ness for the office of Mayor. Let us see what policies he has stood for and how he has distinguished himself. will now read you the most striking feature of Mrsa Tyson's record as an Aldernlans
 A careful examination of the min. utes of the City Council, since March | lst, 1906, sh ows that Mir. Tyson though present, did not vote either one way or the other on the following occa- sions:
 To appropriate s4.000.Oo for paying balance due United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Co. Adoption of ord inance,@ not voting. March 5th. 1906, D. 796.
 TO designate Trust Co.,. of America as fiscal agent. Not voting. p. sos. Dec. 10th 1906.
 Awarding contract for extension of sanitary sewer to Mitchell Bros, on Houston st. Not voting. p. sos, Dec. 10th. 1908.
 To appropriate $f,sOO.Oo for the pur- pose of paying Fabric Fire Hose Com pany amount due on account contract. not voting. p. sos. Dec. 17th 1906.
 To appropriate $5OO.0O to pay for cod flying the laws. not voting p. sos. Dec I7th 1906.
 To appropriate ss,4OO.OO to pay for extension of South street, not voting. D. SIS. Jan. 7th 1907.
 To appropriate money to pay E. B. Joseph $550.00 and interest; J.. N. Hall $2S3.35 and interest; Eliza D. No- bIe $S10.00 and interest; ct al. excus- ed from voting. D. SIT. Jan. 21st 1907. Resolution to advertise for bids to lay sanitary sewers on F. Jefferson Davis Ave, between Hull and Mo. Donough streets; Perry street from Fielder street to city limits; Court street from Fielder street to city lim- it's excused. p. SPA Feb. 4th 1907.
 An ordinance to issue paving bonds for High street. not voting. p. S31. March 4th. 1907.
 To pave sidewalks on Pleasant Ave. not voting, D. SS2.
 To appropriate S615.0O to pay for work done on Montgomery street. not voting. D. sS2.
 To appropriate ss20.OO for paying for work on Wilson street. not voting. D. S32, March 4th, 1907.
 Awarding hidk for extension of sani- tary sewers to Mitchell Bros. not vot- ing. D. S32. March 9th. 1907.
 Petition of N. J. Bell. permission to exeavate preparatory to erecting new ten story building. not voting, p. S32 March 1, 1907.
 To appropriate ss,2OO.O0 to refund amounts enormously collected as taxes on solvent credits. not voting. March 18th 190T. D. S34.
 To pay F. D. Moseley, a policeman. $3E64 for twelve days lost on account of sickness. not voting. March 18th 1907. D. S34.
 To pay a policeman. Carr $65.O0 on account of lost time on account of sickness, not voting. p. ss34. March 18th