The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-05
ALABAMA JOINS
POPULAR IDEA
IndOrses Amendment For EIec-
ton Of Senators b. People
MUCH FORENSIC APPROVAL
Hamburger Introduces Bill To Allow
Sunday Baseball In Sea Coast
Towns-Crawford's City Tax
Bill Is Formally Reported.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

hODISOillciSB Aug Ibl t--ADpttldl J-bOln
houses let out forensically today on the
proposed amendment to the national con-
stitution to make United States senator's
elective by the people. Mr. Jenkins and
one or two others In the house talked
moderately, but the senate crowd blew
ure that gave the first chance to talk
patriotism to life long principles in some
days. Friends of Mr.. Bryan, and they
were many, took new occasion to laud
him to the skies.
The resolution came over from the
house. where 1t had been easily passed,
and was sent to the rules committee. In
a short time it came back with favor
able report, and the fun begun. President
Pro Tenn Perry Thomas who had been
left in the seat of the high and mighty
when President Henry B. Gray was called
down town, retired in favor of the sem
ator from the Druid City, Mr. Moody, and
sition be postponed to Monday, with 300
copies printed. He thought it a matter
that should be given some time.
But he reckoned without the crowd.
Overton got the floor and talked of the
platform and the peerless leader Mer-
ritt did the same thing and Reynolds and
all the rest-that is almost ALL One would
have thought that the resolution was
going to be chewed into bits, and Ma
tional Committeeman John w. Tomlin-
son, friend of Mr.. Bryan and keeper of
the democratic faith in the national
household at whose instance the matter
was offered, looked scared for his child
But only one man was not for it, and
that man was MIR. Thomas. The Is
others voted aye, and the excitement was
over.
Senate Session.
In the senate today bills were present.
ed by Mr.. Hammer to regulate game ana
fish protection
BY Mr.. Phillips, to provide for court
at Albertville.
BY Mr. Reed, to amend Covington coun-
ty inferior court act.
By Mr.. Thomas. to regulate fine and
forfeiture fund of Barbour county.
BY Mr.. McWhorter, to regulate en-
balming bodies.
BY Mr. Hamburger, to prohibit usury
in Alabama. Also to create office of as
sistant solicitor for Mobile county Also
to amend 1918 of code loking to Sunday
baseball in coast cities
BY Mr. White. to regulate injunction
cases. Also regulate proceedings in
practice of courts.
Mr.. Hays reported favorably for the
committee on constitution the tnpop,a 10 y
resolution.
Bills were favorably reported to pro-
vide for two assistant bank examiners
and a way to pay them. Also to provide
for transfer of business by mutual aid
companies and deposits by certain life
companies.
For Sunday Baseball.
Mr. Hamberger's baseball bill seeks to
allow baseball played in seacoast cities
under strict police supervision on Sun
days between the hours of and D. M
His usury measure provides for putting
loan sharks out of business. In a per-
sonal statement Mr. Hamburger said
that Mobile had some men of this class
who are heartless and have been known
to charge as much in interest as 10 times
the principal. Mr. Hamburger says 7NJ
people, among them ministers. had petit
IlOneQ IOr the SUNDAY DaSeDdll provision
presented in the bill
Bills to provide for return of licenses
or other payments over the amount due.
and to increase time of appeals In courts
OF records from six months to a year.
were pa assed.
The bill to allow justices of the peace
jurisdiction In violation of the game law.
passed Tuesday, was brought up by Mr.
Hinson on motion to reconsider
Mr.. Merritt Mr. Moody, Mr. Reynolds
and Mr.. Horton opposed more power to
justices of the peace. Mr.. Horton said
In his section the justices of the peace
were too often disturbers of the peace
Mr.. Reese came to the rescue of his
legislative offspring on the theory that
laws should be obeyed. which as now
they are not He had found that vio-
lators taken before the courts had been
heavily fined much more than If taken
before a justice.
The bill was recalled and killed.
Mr. Gambill presented a bill for com
pensaton of probate judges in certain
cases.
Long Talk Arises.
A resolution looking to amendment of
the constitution providing for election of
United States senators by the people,
reported by the rules committee John w
TOmllnSOn, memDer from AlaDama on the
national democratic committee, was in
the senate chamber at the time.
Mr. Thomas, holding the question of
great Importance, moved to make the
resolution special order for Monday,
with 800 copies printed. Mr.. Thomas was
supported by Mr.. Lowe. Mr.. Horton and
Mr. Overton saw no reason to postpone
action, as 1t Is democratic doctrine.
Mr. Overton moved to table the motion
of Mr.. Thomas.
About this time former Lieutenant
Governor R. NJ. Cunningham was seen
shaking hands with friends in the senate
chamber, where he formerly presided as
president of the body.
Mr.. Reynolds wanted time, agreeing
with Mr.. Thomas. He said that plat
forms did not hold for all time, citing
the fact that the legislature had advanced
from local option to general prohibition.
Mr.. Merritt saw no harm to come of
delay. He paid high compliment to will
liam Jennings Bryan.
Mr.. Miller was for the measure, but
thought to let 1t go over to Friday. as
Mr.. Merritt suggested.
Mr.. Leath was against delay. The