The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-22
'Governor Will Call New
Legislature Together in
Time to Make the
Necessary Change
MAY CALL SESSION
OF PRESENT BODY
TO MEET BY JAN. !
Executive Indicates He Will Appoint
Successor to Senator Johnston in
the Next Few Weeks;
Insisting on His
Authority
Nv HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, October 21.-tSpecial)
Governor O'Nea1 gave assurance today
that the amendment to the constitution
making 1t possible for Jefferson county
to eliminate the fee system will be ef-
fectiye prior to the qualification of the
next sheriff OF this county.
This means that if there is no ex-
traordinary session of the legislature
the next regular session will be called
several days in advance of the period
provided in the constitution. For while
no trouble will be experienced In Sc
curing the ratification of the amend
ment which the people have already
ratified, 1t is anticipated that in gain
ing the passage of a bill setting out
the salaries Of various officials more
time will be required than that which
usually intervenes between the begin
ming of a regular session and the in
auguration of a new chief executive.
ssherffs of Jefferson county take office
contemporaneously with governors.
The governor authorized today the
statement that he is seriously consid-
ering convening the legislature in spe-
cial session. He also authorized the
statement that unless his mind under
goes a change he will name senator
from Alabama within the next few
weeks.
1t is believed that If the governor
was assured that the lawmakers in ex-
traordinary session would proceed on a
Set programme of remedial legislation,
esislatinn which practically everybody
admits is not only remedial but neces-
sary. and would refrain from extending
the session to undue length by the in
1ection of matters irrelevant or at any
Fate foreign to the call, he would with
out hesitation make provisions for the
assembling OF the body at any early
date, not later than January !.
1t is believed, furthermore. that this
assurance will be given, and that there
will be special session. Interesting
in this regard is the fact that the re-
pairs WHICH are under way in the cham
bers of the house and senate will be
completed by January /, and 1t would
cause little surprise We're on that date
Ahe legislature to convene in special ses-
sion
The governor declares there is need
for the session, and intimates his de-
sire to issue the call, that he would issue
the call but for fear lest some members
through their unfriendliness to the ad-
ministration, might subject the state
to an enormous expense without accom-
plishing legislation admitted to be neces-
sary.
Should the prediction that there will
be a special session materialize, Birming-
ham and Jefferson county will be cared
for. AS stated, the anti-fee amendment
will be ratified The financial condition
of Birmingham, said to be more serious
than that of the state, condition due
it Is probable, to an exceedingly low
tax rate will be treated. The governor
slhas the ksenest sympathy for the plight
of the states chief city, and it is rea-
sonably certain that if the call is issued
Birmingham will be included as topic
needfu1 of immediate consideration.
The finances of the state, the system
of taxation, judicial reformation, and the
ratification of the new amendment to the
federal constitution are among other i'm
portant matters which would feature the
call. There will be no provision in the
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