The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
TWO BIRMINGHAM BILLS ARE PASSED Commission and Viaduct Go
 Through Senate TO GO TO MARDI GRAS Measure Is Passed Making It Mis- demeanor to Steal Watermelons.
 Spragins Defends the
 Youngsters
TO GO TO MARDI GRAS
By BERRYMAN G. BETTY


 Montgomery, February 2S.-(Special)- Two measures on which the city of Bir- mingham has set It's heart were passed in the Alabama senate today, when unan- imous vote was given to the passage of that citys commission government bill and the bill authorizing that city to con- struct and maintain viaducts or other subways and approaches, dividing the costs with such corporations as desire to secure the improvements. The bills were called from the calendar at the request of Senator Morrow and given hearty in dorsement.
 Passage of the commission government | bill now leaves the question altogether in the hands of Gov Emmet O'Neal, the house having already acted upon the measure. The viaduct bill originated in the senate, however, and must yet be re- ferred to the house. Upon motion it was sent to that body without engrossment. Resolution which originated and passed in the house. and which provides for an | adjournment of the legislature from Sat urday until Wednesday noon, in order 1 that the soons might attend the Mardi | Gras celebrations in Mobile on Monday and Tuesday next. was unanimously passed in the senate. An attempt was made by Senator Sprott at the same time to have the legislature take re- | cess from March to July Il, but his res olution to that effect was referred to the 1 committee on rules.
 Theft of Watermelons
 The real feature of the work in the senate was passage of a bill which makes if misdemeanor to steal watermelons, "goobers," sugar cane and such crops An attempt was made to tag on an amendment which would make it mis- demeanor to steal dogs of a registration value, but this met with defeat. The bill was so amended, however by Senator Spra gins as to make the offense of steal ing the crops set forth in the measure rnisdemeanor punishable by fine or nm prisonment," rather than by "imprison- ment and fne."
 The position of the Madison county rep resentative was that young boys who have a penchant for melons should not he committed to jail for that offense, at | least on first conviction. He called at- | tention to the fact that the weakness IS one that is common with all youngsters
 Senate in Detail
 The Rev. W. H. Preston of Clay county Tod The senate in prayer at 11:05 o'clock with President Walter D. Seed In the chair and 2S senators present Reaqlns of the journal was dispensed with.
 A message was received from the house announcing passage of several oiils Ill the lower body one of which authorizes holiday on October F, to be known as "Columbus Day"
 resolution was offered by Senator Sprott authorizing adjournment of the | legislature on March to July Il, during | the recess of which a commission rom | the two houses is to sit on important | legislation now before the state soiohs' His resolution was referred to the com- | mittee on rules.
 senator Moulthrop's road bill resulat- ing the employment of convlcts on the public roads, was called from yester- | days calendar and passed. Those voting against the bill were Senators Crumpton, Godbold, Lovelace. Nance, Plowman. Ren- | fro Sherrod and Spragins. The bill IS as follows
 By Mir. Moulthrop (revision of laws), s. 56, ITO provide for the future employ ,nent of felony and misdemeanor convicts | upon the public roads of the several counties of the state, except certain classes, and to prevent the hiring of such convicts to private persons or to cor porations; and to make violations Of cer- tam provisions of this act crime and to provide punishment therefor. and for other purposes" Passed, Il to S.
 Tribute to Dog
 Representative Jackson's bill to provide for the protection of crops was called up for discussion at Il 50 o'clock, a special oI der for the day. Senator c. w. Brown arose to explain the purpose of an amend ment to the bill, which sought to make the thefts of registered dogs a misde- r,eanor. He paid a splendid tribute to the canine tribe. He said that the amend ment was designed to protect not only the | valuable animals, but the CUTS as well 1.-The dog" the senator said. lis always your friend. Men may change"
 Senator Morrow spoke against the amendment, saying that law ought to be passed to make the thefts of all dogs a larceny.
 Senator Norman said that the word l dog" ought not to defeat the measure He referred to the other sections which made 1t a larceny to steal sugar cane growing crops. 'goobers" and other plants These sections make such thefts misdemeanor
 Senator Morrow moved to lay the reg.
 
 which was ordered by viva voce vote.
 Senator Spragins spoke in defense oi the boy "who steals a watermelon" He said that the penalty ought not to be a Jail offense. He thought that a fine ought to be Imposed, or a reformatory punish. ment meted out.
 Morrow COrnered
 Senator Morrow stated that the stat utes now provide imprisonment fol the theft of crops in the same category as watermelon and sugar cane. H. was asked by Senator Spragins if h, had ever stolen a waterm elon, to whicl the Jefferson county representative re sponded that he had.
 Senator Spragins then moved that tn, vote by which the bill~had been ordered to third reading be reconsidered in or der that he might propose such al amendment as would make the offens, punishable by fine or imprisonment, rather than Imprisonment and fine Upon vote the bill was reconsidered ant the amendment was passed by vote o 23 to 1, and the bill as amended wa then passed by vote of s23 to ?.
 Railway Policemen
 Message was received from Gov Elm met O'Neal announcing that the sen ate bill providing for the appointment of policemen on railroads. and by othe public utilities, had not met with hi , approval. He suggested that the bill be so amended as to allow appointment of such policemen only on railways an, street railways. denying the privilege t public utilities. Effect of the suggestio, was to make the bill conform to 1t