The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-23
K|LbY COMMISSION BILL IS PASSED Afternoon Senate Session Was Important
  STEVENS BILL PASSES Kilby's Commission Government Bill
 
STEVENS BILL PASSES
Kilby's Commission Government Bill Applies to Cities Between 200O and 25,000 and Stevens Bill
 Creates Prison Inspector /


 Montgomery, February 2s.-4( (Specialels Measures of vital importance in the state were passed at the afternoon ses- sion of the Alabama senate today when Senator Kilby's commission gov ernment bill applying to cities of a population between 2O00 and 25,o0o and Senator Stevens bill to create the off, flee of state prison inspector were passed by overwhelming majorities.
 Tlie first measure was so amended as to make the first commissioners ap- pointed by the governor, upon vote on amendment offered by Senator Sprag- ins. The second measure went through unscathed Both of the bills were spe cial orders for the day.
 In the commission government meas ure the best provisions of the numer- ous commission government blils writ ten for the cities of Birmingham and Montgomery are included The prison inspectors bill Is a sweeping one which tends to make that department one of the most effective ones at, the capitol, The measure Is of great importance inasmuch as 1t enlarges the duties of Dr. W. H. Oates, who is now state inspector of jails and cotton mills, and in view of the fact that it authorizes additional appropriation in the employ ment of two assistant inspectors a . salary of $1500 each and stenoS rapher at salary of $900. The inspector Is given full charge of prisons and includes such provisions as will greatly improve the child la bor conditions in Alabama and assure enforcement of the jail laws.
 Second Special Order
 Twenty-one senators answered te their names at the afternoon session of the senate. The second special or der measure for the day was called for and in response Senator Kilby's com- mission government measure for the smaller cities of Alabama was called from the calendar.
 Senator Kilby took the floor in sup rorting his measure, (Which provides for cities having population ranging from 2000 to 25,000 people. The measure provides for three commissioners and has full recall features as well as par tia1 referendum provisions Referendum Is to be used only when franchise priv iliges are at stake.
 The bill provides two salary scales In cities of population between 15.O0U and 25,000 the salary is to be $500 for the mayor and $1200 for his two as- sociates. In cities less than 15,OOO the
  sioner. Election to determine whether or not the cities shall adopt the commission form of government shall be called upon petition signed by three voters for every 100 inhabitants
 Gubernatorial Appointments
 Full discussion of the measure was pre- cipitated by Senator Spragins of Madison county, who offered such an amendment : to the measure as would have the first commission appointed by the governor. The senator stated that the amendmen. would make material improvement In the measure inasmuch as it would not only do away with an election, but would tend to assure a wise commission rom the very inception.
 Senators Kilby, Allen and Norman wig orously opposed the amendment, taking the ground that best democracy demanded that the people should be allowed to say whom they want for the office. Senator Norman expressed surprise that the ad- vocates of the amendment should so soon go back on their local option principles. Senator Curry saw in the proposed amendment an excellent chance for the best government. He said that if the people really desired to get rid of the ring they had best start out with that end in view
 Senator Frazer supported the amend n1ent, declaring that too many elections made against best government. He thought that the governor could appoint a most satisfactory commission and that the question should be placed up to The chief executive.
 Senator Kilby stated that his community could look after itself and that it pre- ferred to do so
 Senator Spragins again spoke in defense nf r, ,ico yf,,or 1,ot it, line with the best government to have the first commission appointed. Vote on the amendment was taken, and it was passed by a ballot of 20 to 10. Those voting against the amendment were Senators Allen, w. T. Brown. Crumpton, Fite, J<ilby, Miller, Moody Nance, Norman and Plowman.
 Upon third reading the bill was passed by vote of 27 to o.
 Banking Measure
 Senator Sherrod reported to the senate that the joint committee from the two houses, which had been appointed to con fer on the senate amendments to the state banking bill, had agreed on the differ, ences The house members the senator stated, had agreed to urge the house tc concur in the amendment.
 The report of the committee was adopted. -e,..4z
 State Inspector of Prisons
 Senator Stevens bill, providing for the creation of the office of state prison in spector,> at salary of s4o0O per year, was called for special consideration at 4:15