Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-13

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as the most economical plan. The report
was accompanied by a bill fixing the cost at
S165. .43l.
Mr.. Davis, Of Habersham, presented a
minority report in favor of branch asylum
In North Georgia. on the ground Of health,
safety and economy. The bill, the reports
and other papers were referred to the In
sane Asylum Committee.
The Agricultural Committee reported In
favor Of bill fixing the weight of rough
rice
The Finance Committee reported in favor
Oh the resolution requiring Francis Fon-
tame to furnish full and detailed list of
I'm immigrants brought by him to Georgia, and
where now located.
On a call of counties for new business.
Mr.. Summerlin, of Washington, introduced
bill to incorporate the Middle Georgia
Railroad from SandersVille or Tennille to
Union Point, on the Georgia Road. Also, a
bill prohibiting the sale of liquor within
three miles Of Davisboro Baptist Church.
Mr.. Wheeler, of Wslker-A bill taxing
dealers In aud agents for iron safes.
Mr.. Bull, of Troup-A bill requiring
Clerks OF Superior Courts TO keep q record
of certain judgments.
Mr.. Story, of Marion-A bill enlarging
the powers Of the county authorities to levy
tax for the support of paupers.
Mr.. johnson, of Lee-A bill amending
section 1856 Of the Code of 1873 as to the
time and hours for holding elections.
Mr.. Miller, of HoustOn-A bill altering
and amending section 369S of the Code of
1873 as to the fees Of jailers, they not to ex-
ceed one thousand dollars per annum, the
balance to 90 to the County Treasury. The
bill works no repeal of local laws.
Mr.. Rankin, of GOrdOn-A bill amending
section 32l3 of the Revised Code as to ex-
ceptiOns.
Mr.. Rice, of Fulton-A bill making it a
misdemeanOr to seek to be put on jury.
Also, bill authorizing municipal corpora
tions to provide for the forfeiture of bonds
in Mayors courts.
Mr.. Wright, of Floyd-A bill amending
sections 453S and 4540 of the Code as to
gambling houses.
Mr. Barrow, of Clarke-A resolution au-
thorizlng W. Fl. Harrison to publish the
laws OF this session.
Mr.. Walker, of Berrien-A bill incorpo-
rating the town of Alapaha.
Mr.. Mays, of Richmond-A bill to abolish
the County Court of Richmond
Mr. McCants, of Taylor-A bill changing
the time of holding Taylor Superior Court.
Mr. Hutchins, of Gwinnett-A bill to en-
able the University of Georgia to establish
free tuition by appropriation.
Mr. Miller, of Houston-A resolution re-
quiring the State Treasurer to keep separate
all funds received by him for tie sale of
public property, and not use it except for
paying the bonded debt.
The joint committees report as to the mat
ter of Col. Coles being permitted to paw
for the Macon and Brunswick Railroad in
United States per cent. bonds was present.
ed by Mr.. Davis, of Habersham. 1t decides
against the acceptance of such bonds
The convict lease bill discussion was re-
newed.
Mr.. Miller, of Houston, moved to amend
the Reese substitute so as to have the man
ayers elected by the General Assembly. in
stead of being appointed by The Governor.
Mr.. Estes, of Hall, opposed this, and
wanted the Governor to have the power OF
appointment.
Mr. Miller replied that under the new con-
stitutiOn prominent State officials were
elected by the General Assembly, and not
appointed, as under the old constitution, by
the Governor. The House then adopted the
amendment without further discussion or
opposition.
Mr. Sweat, of Clinch, had his November
bill, which provides for the old penitentiarV
system, read for information, and closed
his speech by stating that In case OF the
committees bill and the Reese substitute
are voted down, he should call for action
on his bill, as he believed that to be the best
plan for remedying the present evils and
abuses of the convict system.
Mr.. Jemison, of Bibb, spoke forcibly in
favor of the amended substitute, reading
from the convict lease laws to show that
the substitute does not alter them, but sim
ply provides for their proper and impartial
enforcement.
Mr.. Wheeler, of Walker called the pre-
vious question, but was voted down.
Mr.. Tharpe, of Bibb, moved to table the
bill. Also voted down.
Mr.. Estes, of Hall, took up the report of
the special committee who visited the
convict camps, and reviewed its
cases of cruelty and abuses, and
claimed that the lessees should
also be heard in regard to these charges.
He urged that the Governor should not be
accused OF negligence in the enforcement
Of the law without some defense being
made. Georgia should have just pride in
her present prison system, one OF the best,
cheapest and with the lowest death rate in
the world. There was no need of
any additional legislation. Yet he
would vote for Mr.. Reese's substitute,
IL the House favored it, but not the amend
ment of Mr.. Miller, taking the appointment
out OF the Governors hands. 81 will favor
the substitute" he said, "but fear that in
five years you will say we unwlsely sought
to better that which was well enough and
only made it worse"
MIR. Miller, of Houston, said he had thor
oughly investigated the prison systems OF
the world, and was satisfied that the convict
lease system was the best for Geor-
gia, but he believed that
this system should be supervised and car
ried out by men of high character and hu-
name feelings, who will enforce proper
punishment, aud at the same time prevent
cruel treatment. Such board of managers
would perfect our system and make its
operations just and impartial. The con-
yicts could then be properly classified,
humaDey treated and properly punished
The bill is as much in the interest of the
lessees as of the convicts. 1t protects
both.
Mr.. Spence, of Mitchell, called the pre-
vious question, but withdrew 1t for Mr.. Nc
Bride, OF Haralson, who moved to amend
section three so as to fix ten hours as a
davis work.
Mr.. Barrow, OF Clarke, explained that an
arbitrary rule would work hardship in the
winter, and that the managers would regu-
late the hours properly.
The amendment was lost.
He also moved an amendment to prevent
negro whipping bosses, but withdrew It at
the suggestion of several members.
Mr.. james, of Polk, moved to amend the
third section so as to provide that no man.
ager shall be directly or indirectly connected
with the convict lease.
Mr.. Spence renewed his call for the pre-
vious question, and the House proceeded to
vote on the Reese substitute, as amended by
Mr. Miller
Mr. Perkins, of Burke, called for the yeas
and nays.
Mr.. Miller, of Barlow, as Chairman, closed
the debate in a feeling manner, accepting
for the committee the substitute. He was
heartily applauded at the close of his re-
marks. Tue vote stood-yeas 121, nays %.
Mr.. Hammond, of Thomas, asked unani-
nous consent to amend so as to make
the salary Of each manager 81, 500 instead
of $4,000, as their expenses are also to be
paid.
Mr.. Lewis, OF Milton, said he was op-
posed to the whole bill, aud objected. Ap-
peals were made to him, but he refused to
yield.
Mr.. Hunt, Of Spalding, said; ''Then let
the people of Georgia know that an enemy
of the bill is responsible for the high salary,
II it is too high" The bill, as amended,
was then put on its passage, aud the vote
stood: Yeas 97,:nays A, Messrs. Basinger,
Nichols and Bacon supported the bill.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate the discussion on the bill
regulating the fees for weighing cotton was
renewed. The minority report was adopted
and the bill tabled for the present.
The House resolution ordering an investi-
cation OF the sale of the Macon and Bruins
wick Railroad was made the special order
for Monday. The polygamy bill was also
g. o., Is,aa1 nnn