to 1901 1900 11. Governor Samford.-The main issue in the political campaign of 1900 was the question of calling Dec. 1, 1900 William J. Samford . a convention to draft a new constitution for the State. William J. Samford, of Lee county, won the Democratic nomination over Charles M. Shelley, John W. Tomlinson, Jesse F. Stallings, and Charles E. Waller. In the general election following, he overwhelmingly defeated Dr. G. B. Crowe, Populist, and John A. Steele, Republican. Mr. Samford was a big-brained, big-hearted, welleducated Southern gentleman. Possessing the strong qualities of his gifted father, William F. Samford, he won the confidence and admiration of his fellowmen. He was a profound lawyer, a devout Methodist, and a strong leader of men. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1875, and had served in both houses of the general assembly and in Congress. Mr. Samford's term was to begin on December 1, 1900, but he was so ill at that time that he could not appear in Montgomery to take the oath of office in the presence of the two houses of the general assembly. By special courtesy of the lawmaking body it was arranged that he could take the oath in his sick room in his home at Opelika. William 1900 1901 Dorsey Jelks, president of the senate, became temporary governor by provision of the constitution of the State. Governor Samford took charge of his office on December 26, though physically unable to Dec. 26, stand the strain of the heavy duties. The public approved his few official acts. He died at Tuskaloosa on June 11, 1901. Mr. Jelks succeeded him in office. June 11, The general assembly enacted laws for the regulation of child labor in factories, better treatment of convicts, better protection of prisoners, larger appropriations for schools and Confederate veterans, and the creation of the department of archives and history. It refused to confirm the sales of the University lands, which had been made with the approval of Governor Johnston. The buildings and lands at Mount Vernon, which had been granted to the State by Congress, were set aside as a hospital for insane negroes. 12. Constitutional Convention.-"An act to provide for holding a convention to revise and amend the constitution of this State" was passed by the general assembly and was approved by acting-governor Jelks on December 11, 1900. The act further provided that the question of calling a convention and the selection of delegates to it be submitted to a vote of the people. A majority favored the call and the delegates were elected. The convention was composed of one hundred and sixty-five members, many of them the most distinguished men of the State. All but thirteen of them were Democrats. John B. Knox, a distinguished lawyer of Anniston, was chosen to preside over the convention. May 21 to Sept. 3, 1901 Nov. 28, 1901 After the constitution* had been framed, it was submitted to the people. The records of election returns gave a majority of votes in favor of ratifying it. By proclamation of the governor, it went into effect on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 1901. *Under the new constitution the requirements for voting are such as to virtually exclude the masses of negroes from taking part in elections; the limit of tax assessments is fixed at six and a half mills on the dollar, three mills of which are apportioned to public schools; counties are permitted to levy a special county tax of one mill for school purposes; the office of lieutenant-governor was created; provision is made for election of circuit solicitors by the people, and for holding sessions of the legislature every four years; a State executive officer is forbidden to be his own successor; restrictions are placed upon local legislation; and the lawmaking power is vested in a legislature. Before this time elections were every two years, the lawmaking power was vested in a general assembly, which met every two years, and circuit solicitors were elected by the two houses of the general assembly in joint session. SUMMARY Since the overthrow of Federal military rule, Alabama bas recovered from the wreck and desolation of war and reconstruction, and has risen to the prosperity of the present time. It has saved its credit by refunding the enormous debt brought on by carpetbaggers, scalawags, and negroes, passed through money panics, and lived in peace and made progress under the constitution of 1875. QUESTIONS. 1. Sketch the life of George Smith Houston. 2. How and by whom was the State debt refunded? 3. Mention the principal events of the administration of Governor Cobb; of Governor O'Neal; of Governor Seay. 4. Describe the convention of 1890. 5. Sketch the rise of the Populist party. 6. What important events occurred during the governorship of Thomas G. Jones; of William C. Oates; of Joseph F. Johnston? 7. What was done by Richmond Pearson Hobson in the Spanish-American War? 8. Describe the election and inauguration of William J. Samford. 9. Give an account of the constitutional convention of 1875; of 1901. CHAPTER XXXII UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1901 (1901-1914) Railroad Methods Unsatisfactory. The general belief that freight rates in Alabama were higher than in Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and other Southern States produced widespread discontent. The members of the railroad commission were among the best men of the State, and they had collected much valuable information about commerce and industries, but the commission had failed to secure reform in railroad methods of handling freight and settling delayed claims. Many people believed this failure due to the facts that the members of the commission were appointed by the governor and were shown very many special courtesies by the railroad officials. As a result of this discontent, a number of business men met in Birmingham (1901) and organized "The Shippers and Buyers Mutual Aid Association of Alabama." The next year, by the suggestion of Mr. B. B Comer, this name was changed to "The Farmers, Merchants and Laborers Association of Alabama." This Association worked hard to elect as legislators men who would make laws to have the members of the railroad commission chosen by the people and given authority to compel railroads to reform their rates and make prompt settlement of claims. [301] The railroad officials denied the right of the State to interfere with freight or passenger rates, or to dictate in any respect the way in which the railroads should carry on their business. They supported candidates for the legislature who were thought to be favorable to their interests. Governor Jelks.-William Dorsey Jelks was nominated for governor over Joseph F. Johnston in the Democratic primary election of 1902, and in the general election which followed he was elected gov ernor over John A. W. Smith, Republican. The legislature of 1903 made the railroad commission elective by vote of the people, and set the first election in November, 1904. It gave the commission power to supervise all railroads in the State; to demand reports from them; to revise tariffs; to hear and determine complaints; to bring suits, and otherwise compel the railroads to give satisfactory service. An amended bill changed the date of the election of two members of the railroad commissioners from November, 1904, to November, 1906. This amended bill extended for two years the terms of office of the associate railroad commissioners, William T. Sanders and Wiley C. Tunstall, who had been appointed by the governor. This legislature also established a Summer School for Teachers in the University; it increased the annual pay to old Confederate soldiers; it appropriated $25,000 for the founding of the Old Soldiers' Home at Mountain Creek, an institution which had been dear to the heart of Colonel Jefferson Faulkner; and |