The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-07
GE0RGIA'S NEW CONSTITUTION.
SOME RADICAL CHANGES IN THE or
GANIC LAW.
Pay ana Mileage Of Lesislatsrs-Eta Lobbying
Made Crime.

Fay ana Mileage Of Lesislatsfs-V48 ing
Made Crime.
An Atlanta letter, written on the work
of the Georgia Constitutional Conven-
tion, says: IA just description Of the
conventions progress begins with the
fifth days work, when the list OF stand
ing committees was completed and an
nouneed. A summary Of the resolutions
introduced will be OF value as Indicating
how eonscientiously the convention is
working, and what choice of matter
the several committees will ul-
tiinately have to pass upon. To
provide for debtors release after
surrendering his estate, except
in cases of fraud. To prescribe the du-
ties and remunerations OF servants OF
the General Assembly and forbid extra
compensation. 10 iooate the seat OF
government by q popular vote, ire
spective Of the adoption OF the 6onsti-
tuition. TO report separate ordinance
for ratification concerning the home
stead law. To disfranetise persons
convicted OF "crimes involving moral
turpitude" whatever that may be. To
pay jurors Al day. To fix the home
stead at $1,000 realty and $500 person
atty, specie value. TO create twenty
judicial districts, judges to have $2500 o
year each. for four year terms beginning
In 1880. To admit no new couhties. give
each county representative and provide
for fifty senatorial districts. 10 deny
private charters and local acts by the
Legislature, and vest the right Of their
granting % passage In the superior
courts. To prohibit using the States
credit for the advancement Of private
vxfr tr.t< t.
made q defendant in its own courts.
10 abolish county courts and commits
sioners and confer their powers on
courts of ordinary. TO free all property
OF the wife at her marriage, or sl1bse.
duently acquired or inherited, from lia-
bility. for the husbands debts. To
create a State board Of education. To
collect taxes by contract. TO appropri-
ate no money but that derived from the
poll.tax for public school purposes.
To prohibit giving passes or re-
duced price tickets to legislators. To
change the court of ordinary to d
court Of probate. To fix the basis OF
representation and per diem of mem.
stead law To organize inferior civil
courts. TO provide for twelve judicial
districts, judges to be elected by the
Legislature. To forbid enacting special
or local laws concerning charters Of
municipalities, municipal affairs, chang
ing OF names, highways, ferries, cleo
tions, etc. To provide for an insurance
department and commissioner. To ex-
empt 800 OF each taxpayers property
from taxation. To provide for elections
to the General Assembly. An so on,
and SO on, for the above barely comes
half way down the list OF that days
notices.
The question OF per diem was dis
cussed on the 10th, one resolution fixing
it at 81, with five cents mileage one way,
and another at SO with an amendment
limiting the total expense OF the con-
vention TO 525, 900. Mr.. Tiff, In moving
the last. said that II members Of the
convention were hired for private pur-
poses they would naturally expect q
larger remuneration. At the same time
he would not have the pay Of delegates
cut down to mere nominal sum, which
would exclude poor men from serving,
though he recalled how under the $7
day allowance the Legislature was the
place to which all were anxious to
get. On the 18th it was proposed to Gre
ate the office OF Lieutenant Governor,
to regulate the expenses Of the General
Assembly, to provide for biennial ses-
sions and to limit the duration
thereof to forty days. Rather q nota-
BILE and novel proposition was that
to allow each county to fix the
pay OF Its representatives In
the Legislature-and defray it. The
finance committee reported an ordi-
nance fixing the mileage of members
and officers at ten cents mile, each
way; members, the door keeper, and
the messenger to have 81 per diem,
n nd IL.
resolution directed the same committee
to inquire whether the Industrial and
producing classes, as distinguished from
the class dealing in money and securi-
ties, can prosper under the present
banking system; asking by what au-
thority the system OF State banks is-
suing currency based on coin was
changed; whether the interest Of the
producer does not demand cheap money
and that OF the bondholder dear money,
and whether no improved plan Of cur
rency administration could be devised
by the convention.
On Thursday, the 10Th, the committee
OF final revision submitted it's first re-
portsEone s1as ,; authorizing the General As
sembly to raise and equip a State mill
tia. but giving it no pay except In cases
OF actual service, and another providing
that all elections be held by ballot, and
comforting the suffrage on male citizens
not minors, six months residence In the
State and three in the county and pay
ment Of taxes being required. Persons
convicted Of felony or larceny this
proposition aims at the negroes, Of
course), are ineligible, unless they have
been pardoned; SO are holders Of public
moneys contrary to law: so are duelists,
who are also disfranchised, and liable to
punishment as we'll; registration is
provided for; electors are privileged
from arrest, save for treason. felony,
larceny and breach of the peace, while
going to or, returning from the polls.
Atlanta at this session made her bid for
the capital, offering ten acres of ground
now unoccupied in or near the city and
the City Hall lot of five acres.
On the goth an important resolution
was adopted, providing for the submis-
sion Of the constitution for ratification
by majority of all the votes cast. The
bill OF rights was also reported. 1t is