The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-11
Work Not Confined to the
 Moral Issues"
EFFORTS FOR NEW COUNTY
pr. RagsdaIe Carried Into House. Measure Is Still in Danger of Going Through = Bir-
 mingham Lobby.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery August 10.-(Special) )-The constant presence of preachers in the lobby at the present session of the legis- lature has. caused comment, some approv- ing and some condemning, and others in- different, and the question Is often asked if the legislature Is getting better or the preachers worse, that there are many of these spiritual leaders taking note in ac- tive way of the doings of the lawmakers.
 Take New Move.
 For the most part the ministers have spent their influence in favor of the laws that involve moral questions, and, in the main. there is no objection to 1t. As a matter of fact, general poll of all the people would no doubt show approval of the lobby on moral questions, but those who are working for purely material things are not escaping feeling that 1t would be best for them to keep away
 For New County.
 special notice came of this this morning when a couple of the most prominent preachers of the North Alabama Meth odist conference appeared on the scene to work for the adoption of the new county of Pettus, to be made out of part of Jefferson with Bessemer as the seat Of sovernment The very large element against the reduction of the great min eral county took this as an affront that could not be explained in the ordinary ways of doing things. However, they say it Is their own affair, and no one, per- haps. has a right to say them nay.
 Raasdale in House.
 Another evidence of the warm fight the Bessemer people are making for the new county is the fact that they carried Dr. Ragsdale, the Bessemer member, into the house early in the morning, accompanied bv his wife and physician, and he re- mained seated near the speakers stand, with his wife, by special permission of the house. near to administer to his wante. Both attracted much attention and there were many to show interest in the popu- lar member so well known and so gener- ally liked, who has been kept away most of the present session.
 Birmingham Lobby.
 Birmingham is sending down good sized lobby to fight the Bessemer county bill but the outlook is that 1t Is going to have a much easier time than was thought, and 1t may get through after all. The friends of the measure are showing an ability to keep things coming their way that few have noted in the session that is now on.
 Money for Solicitors.
 A bill pending in the house. presented by Speaker Carmichael, looking to aid for solicitors, seeks to give these of ficers much more latitude than they ever had before. It is provided that each one shall have $250 this year and $500 next year to aid in the discovery of the crimes of failure to keep the liquor laws, the money to be used as thought best. but &C., count made of such use. Ut Is a good bill, and not out of reason in any way" said the speaker.
 Urquhart Is Game.
 With the odds against him in the house, and the committee on municipali- ties carrying an adverse report, Repre- sentative Urquhart is not ready even vet to give up his fight for commission form of government in cities. He says that the people of the three large cities are with him If they are ever aroused, but has found the difficulty of arousing them very