The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-29
SHER|FFS GET FEES
 ON TECHN|CAL|TY Godbold Gets Measure Through
 the Senate MEANS LARGE INCREASE Feat Is Accomplished By Substituting g the Word "Guard" Fee for "Turn- key" Fee-Day's Session
 in Senate Quiet
MEANS LARGE INCREASE
BY BERRYMAN G. BETTY

Building up an excellent constitutional statute from foundations based on a tech nicality, Senator N. D. Godbold of Wil- cox county today succeeded in manipulat- ing through the senate his sheriff guard fee bill. By means of this measure should the house of representatives take simi- lar action the sheriffs of the state will have the emoluments of their office in creased by s2 per prisoner, a compensa- tion which two weeks ago was quite de- spaired of Moreover, the measure is to be operative at once, thereby permitting the sheriffs who went into office January Is, last, a greatly increased salary, which Is said to be an imperative need in the | smaller counties.
 The technicality which Senator Godbold made use of was the substitution of the word guard fee" for turnkey fee" Use l of the last phrase would have succeeded in maiming the compensation so far as l the present sheriffs are concerned, owing to the fact that it would have reinstated cn the statutes a law which, under the constitution. could not have been made effective before January of 1s15
 
 day was II in favor of passage, as op- posed to one vote against it.
 Lucky Evasion
 Evasion of the constitution in the meas ure is calculated to be fortunate one for the sheriffs. At the same time it brings to light successful effort to put the sheriff's office on a higher plane h rOii obnif ho to the officials compensation which will enable them to keep their office up to a higher standard of usefulness.
 According to the constitution of the state. the salary of officials in office can rot be increased unless new duties should be inflicted upon them, whereupon the legislature can make such provision as is deemed necessary Using the argument that the new code did not intentionally l omit the sheriff turnkey fee of g. which was originally given, the sheriffs got busy with plans to evade the constitution by substitution of the word guard" for turnkey" thereby pointing to new duties.
 for turnkey fees was recalled from the calendar upon retirement of ex-Gov B. B. Conner from office on January Is | last. The guard fee bill was immediately | introduced in the upper body of the leg l islature, with the result that it was read | fly passed.
 Easy sailing is predicted for the meas ure in the house.
 Employ Accountant | Owing to the great volume of work | required of the senate and house joint committee which was appointed to make a report of the books in the office of the | nh f,rao Moody today secured passage of a joint 1 resolution in the senate which seeks to l authorize the committee to employ an expert accountant. and assistants, at an expense not exceeding $20 per day, to aid the committee In its investigations Ac- cording to Senator Moody, the investiga- tion has been held up owing to impossi- | bility of the committeeman to find the | time to devote to the task. Upon suspension of rules the senate | passed resolution accepting an invita- | tion of a patriotic society of Montgom- cry, inviting both houses of the legisla- | tUre to participate in the semi-centennial | celebration at the capitol of the inaugu- ration of Jefferson Davis as president o1 l the Confederate States of America The | celebration is to be had at noon, Febru- ary IS.
 A communication from Congressman I Richmond Pearson Hobson of Alabama Inviting the state senate to hear his ad- | dress at the Young Mems Christian as- sociation tomorrow was read The con- gressman will speak on the temperance | question.
 Routine Interest For the most part the session of the sen- ate was of only routine interest. Senate was called to order promptly at Il o'clock 4 with President Seed in the chair. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J.. M. Chiltor l of Montgomery.
 Under the head of reports from com mittees the committees on Judiciary, re. vision of laws, commerce and common carriers and agriculture reported. The agriculture committee adversed the bil to .perpetuate the United States govern ment land survey, and further adversed l the bill to regulate and define filters usei iil commercial fertilizers.
 II On the call of the district, bills were ip troduced, read one time and referred, a. follows:
 By Mir Sprott-To amend sections POI and 2023 of the code of Alabama of 1907.
 By MT. Moulthrop-To ratify, confirm and validate the census of the cities ant towns in the state of Alabama, wher, the. same has been taken as provided b, |, the code of Alabama of 1907, and the re port of the same, filed in the office of tn, secretary of state.
 Il By Mr Moulthrop-To ratify, confirm and validate all ordinances, resolution