The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-12
SENATE PASSES
 THE REFUGE BILL Provides for Institution in
 Birmingham DEBATE WAS LIVELY Some of the Prettiest PyrOtechnics Seen During Entire Session.
 Routine Work in the
 Senate Yesterday
DEBATE WAS LIVELY
Senate Yesterday

Montgomery, April 11.-(Special.)-Ca tain McDonald's bill which seeks to es- tablish in Birmingham a home for fallen women, under the title of Alabama Home of Refuge" passed the state sen ate this morning by a vote of 25.to 2. Almost one hour was consumed in the discussion of the measure, during the progress of which some of the prettiest pyrotechnics of the recent weeks were enjoyed The bill seeks to appropriate 5000 annually for the maintenance of the institution, which is to admit women up to the age of 25 years.
 The early session of the senate was entirely utilized in the transaction or routine business, the McDonald meas ure being the only important one to be considered at the early session.
 Preliminary Session
 The senate was called to order at noon with prayer by Senator Norman of Cham bers county. President Pro Tenn Hugh Morrow was in the chair and 29 senators in their seats. Reading of the journal was dispensed with.
 A message was received from Governor O'Neal calling attention to the impera- tiveness of having passed house bill 724, which seeks to place all of the state normal schools under one board of trus- tees. A half hour was then consum d by the president pro tenn in signing bills which had come from the lower house, while another 15 minutes were consumed ;,, 4l, a,i,, ++oa 1nrtc
 Consideration of the calendar was be- gun at 12:40 o'clock.
 Representative Browns bill to make the fees of constables in all the coun- ties of Alabama the same as sheriff s fees when they perform similar services, except in criminal cases, was passed by a vote of 19 to 1, without floor debate. The Mcdonald measure, however to es- tablish a reformatory for the benefit of of Alabama Home of Refuge was the occasion of a lively wrangle.
 Senators Frazer and Morrow spoke elo- quently for the measure, declaring that the state could do nothing better than to appropriate the sum desired. Senator Morrow especially impressed on the sen- ators the worthness of the bill.
 Senator Norman opposed the measure, declaring that 1t was extremely painful to him to have to oppose the instrument. He referred to a minority report which he had submitted to the senate on the question at stake. "I look upon the meas ure as extremely worthy" he said, but feel that the state cannot afford such an institution at the present time.'
 Senator Sherrod of Lawrence county ,.,11 H. i,, fat Nf f,,an t.a receiving the applause ot the senators in the course of his remarks. "I would be recreant to every instinct in my breast" ]" he stated. If I did not vote for the bill, and speak for it.
 Senator Plowman explained that he had joined with Senator Norman in sub hitting a minority report, but because he stated, II did not fully understand the text of the measure. Now that I do un- derstand the bill. I shall vote for it.'
 Senators C. W. Brown and Frazer insisted upon passage of the bill.
 Past Redemption
 Senator Atkins spoke against that sec tion of the mea asure which permitted the admission of women up to the age of % years. He said that such women were for the most part past redemption. He argued that the clause should be so amended to read up to IS years, an amendment which. he said, would obvi- ate much trouble in the admission of oc- cupants
 Senator Moulthrop said that the age should not be drawback. He cited Bib Heal instances to show that the Savior did not discriminate in extending salvation because of age.
 Senator Morrow, in a second speech on the question: insisted upon retention of the section to which Senator Atkins had objected. In responding to the lief ferson county senator, Major Atkins said that he intended to vote for the bill. q merely desired to call attention to a pitfall" he said.
 Senator c. w. Brown in again speak ing for the bill paid a glowing tribute to women.
 ''It is not sacrilege for me to say" stated Senator Brown, that I believe that if God Almighty had not made woman out of the rib of man, she would today be as pure as the dripping snow"
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