Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-25
acting Governor until the disability is re-
moved, or, in case of death, until an cleo
tion is held for a successor, which " Ivo,fId
occur in sixty days. "0Ui0

7 ~ nOi until the disability is re-
moved, or, IN case of death. until an cleo.
tion is held for successor, which vvo1f1d
occur in sixty days. 0''O
ECONOMICAL LEGISLATION.
''Spence, of MITCHELL" is the onIv ,,a,,,
Der of the House to fill the imporfant no
sition occupied by ''Wheeler, of Walker
Spence is young man, but he has cot n
heap of hard sense, and he is never afraid
to cut off a useless and expensive debate
by call of the previous question" He
keeps sharp eye on every approach to
the State Treasury. Such members are
never popular, but they do the people
% more real good than dozen speechmakers
and treasury raiders.
Speaking of Treasury raids, it NAV be
Wen TO state that some measures for which
appropriations are sought, have merit in
them, and should be properly encouraged.
One OF these, the resolution TO subscribe
lor hVe hundred copies of Col. Charles
O. Jones' proposed history of Georgia. is
coIIlIhehoed Dy the best men in the State,
and appeals to the pride and patriotism Of
all who love this grand Commonwealth
Last year this resolution was defeated.
partly on account of bad management Inv
its promoters, and partly because
''Wheeler or Walker rallied n stron@
opposition to it. Major VIM. t. Gary, Of
Augusta, is its special champion this year.
and he hopes to win success for his zeal
Gus efforts.
CONSTITUTIONAL FAILURES.
The new constitution seems to be a very
harmless document, so far as it affects the
operations of the General Assembly.
There never has been a biennial session
since its adoption, and very much doubt
If there ever will be one so long as this
constitution remains in force.
AS TO the introduction of local and
special bills, the rules are constantly sus-
pended with the greatest ease, and such
Dllls are introduced and read the first
time without reference to the Committee
on Local and Special Bills.
Ihefe are two features of the cOnstitu-
tion that are constantly disregarded, and
know OF no way in which the matter
can be remedied. Several bills were intro
duced last year, but defeated, and some
OF them are again before the General
Assembly, to amend the constitution in
numberless ways.
am thoroughly convinced, after fair
trial, that we need a revised constitution.
but not a half dozen legislative amend !
ments, all of which may fail in the end
10 become law. The cheapest way, as
well as the surest and quickest. is to
nave Constitutional Convention. of |
snort duration and not expensive, to so |
amend the present constitution as that il |
may be purged of its present Objectionable |
features,
CHRONIC LEGISLATION.
The usual number of bills are now on |
the calendars for changing the time of |
holding Superior Courts. No court caIen- |
dar can pass muster after the Legislature
has met, as it never fails to make changes.
AS to the amendments to the Code. there
is always flood of such bills, and this
session big flood. Messrs James p. Har-
rlson & Co. have not yet fairly COM
menced the distribution of the new Code, |
costing ten dollars volume }, yet hun |
dred of its sections are now up for amend |
ment or repeal.
And then the much abused constitution. |
Ever since its adoption the General AS |
sembly has had good supply of bills on |
its calendars to amend its provisions. No |
matter how promptly or frequently they I
are voted down, these bills, in the same or !
some modlhed form, reappear at the next /
session.
| don't blame the members for wanting
to amend the constitution so far as to give
back to the Governor the appointment of
Judges. The election of these officials bv
the General Assembly has become a
nuisance, and a reform is generally de-
sired by the members. Judge George
Hillyer, of the Atlanta Circuit, was eT-
pected to resign, and yet ten DAYS before
he did resign there We're candidates lobby |
ing in the Senate and House for this an |
ticipated vacancy.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
Last year members used to introduce !
temperance bills and then go out and get |
drunk. We have had only one such case |
this session, which speaks well for the |
good cause.
the Chairman of the Temperance Commit
tee, and a most efficient worker. He has
before his committee a large number of
local bills, some for prohibition and others
for local option.
have given my opinion in a previous
letter on general temperance bills. [
don't think they will pass, as it is easy to
oppose and defeat such bills, although
local bills OF more stringent character |
are passed. Local legislation is quite a
different thing from general legislation.
The call for a Liquor Dealers COnyen-
ton IN this city on Monday next, to hold
for several days, has created quite a stir
IN the temperance ranks, and indicates
that the manufacture and sale of LIQUORS
IN TINS state cannot be wholly suppressed
without hard and prolonged contest.
The liquor dealers have money and infiu-
ence, and are preparing to protect their
Over in Alabama the contest has already
assumed large proportions. The temper
ince people nave sWarmed to the capital
1f the State and there held big conven-
non, not few Legislators being among its
eading speakers and workers. Here in
Georgia, however, the forces are divided
md a diversity OF opinion keeps the lead
'rs from pelting and working together on
me line.
FINAL PARAGRAPHS.
Our cotton receipts continue to imurove
md we are now hardly six tbOusan nd baIes
Iehind last year to date.
AT the inaugural ball there were two de-
signs. One was Governor Bronson.
.7S2'-and Governor Stephens, 1887
presume Governor Nathan Brounson |
vas intended.
3rounson came to the executive office
rom Liberty county, while Gov. Stephens
,ame to it from Liberty Hall.
Hon. Allen ID. Gambler is the second |
graduate of Mercer University TO be
elected to Congress. Hon. James ID. Mat
news, deceased, Of Oglethorpe county.
vas elected in reconstruction davs. but
vas not allowed to take his seat.
am glad to see the press waking nm in
egard to Miss Eva BrittOn, who travels |
bout alone in behalf of the Hurricane.
'ut mostly for her own amusement Her
areer in Atlanta was not such as to COM ]
mend her enterprise to the support of
enslble people.
Captain j. L. Rodgers, formerly of
andersville, but for several years past in I
aw practice here, announces himself as a
for election to fill the vacancy !
aused by the resignation of Judge '
Iillyer. 9
The question of building a new capitol r
lOes not excite much interest in legisIa-
i've circles, and it is safe to believe that ]
he bill will be killed during the present j
essiOn or laid over for final action during
he proposed summer session. G
AS to redistricting the State, there is a i
vide difference of opinion as to the best
Ian to be adopted to carry forward this l
cry important work, No singIe bill
ffered by any member can be depended I
pom to suit all portions Of the State, and
he Wlsest course appears to be found in
committee to consider and act upon the
natter during the recess and report a ner- {
ected bill to the adjourned session. \
The committee have been hard at work :
s constant call of counties for new
usiness has given them plenty of mate ,
Ial for consideration. This morning the
louise Judiciary Committee reported back
Inc bllls adversely, all of which are as
ood as dead now, unless the House shall
ally to the relief of the introducers and
Verturn the adverse reports. Unless the
resent session DuShpG ahead with 70. !