Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-13
AMEND TO ABSENTEEISM.
THE EFFECT OF A NEWS, EDI-
TORIAL IN ATLANTA.

n A.
Free Passes also on the List of Evils that
Iust Goa Memorial Session-Dfr
Stern's immigration Magnet-Notes
of General Interest to Readers of all
Glasses.
Correspondence ofAe Morning. Neacs.
ATLANTA, August 11.-At last the
General Assembly has been aroused to n
sense of its duty. This morning the Au-
gusta Chronicle was laid on every men,
ber's desk, and those present found on the
editorial page the protest of the MORNING
NEWS against free passes and absentee
ism, strongly indOrsed by the Chronicle.
Then came few copies of the Macon
Telegraph of this morning, with a brave
and timely protest on the same line from
its faithful Atlanta correspondent. 1t
was evident, therefore, that the House
would show some signs of having read
these manly but too long DELAYED protests.
Some OF the more faithful members de-
termlned to oppose the usual suspension
OF roll call, put themselves on record as
being present, adjourn for want of a
working quorum, and thus throw the
Odium upon the absentees. But a desire
to get rid of a lot of Senate bills for first
and House bills for second reading led to
cOmprOmlSe-that hereafter there shall
be no suspension Of the roll call, but every
days journal shall show who the absen-
tees are. Thus the crisis of to-day was
tided over and the absentees saved from
exposure. OF course some are absent
with good excuses, but the mass of them
ought to be here attending to the public
business for which they never fail to draw
the pay and take all the perquisites.
The MORNING NEWS has bravely start
ed the ball in motion in regard to the
evils OF free passes, and | am glad to see
that the press of the State is backing Won
up. The Augusta Chronicle even goes so
far as to state that passes are solicited or
demanded from railroad officials. think
some OF these officials can show letters
asking for free passes for clerks and
pages, etc, as well as members. Perhaps
some of the cOlOred pOrters have also ap-
piled.
As to adjournment, there will have to
be "a new leaf turned over" next week
and two or three daily sessions held. to
enable the General Assembly to get away
before the first of October. If the free
passes were abolished to-day the business
could be completed and a final adjourn
ment be reached within thirty days. Com
paratiyely little finishing work has vet
been done, and over one thousands bills
are to be acted upon in part or wholly
before adjournment. Few bills die
suddenly of their own weakness.
Most Of them require to be strangled
in the committee room. And then ''lost'
bills are too often ''found'' the next MORN
ing through motion to reconsider. The
average Legislator lacks backbone in this
respect He fails to believe that when
bill is once ''passed" or ''lOst'' that it
ought to stay so, but generally consents
to give 1t another chance to live or
DIE. as the case may be. All this great
ly retards the final disposition of the busi-
ness OF the day.
L notice that several newspapers are
giving Rankin, of Gordon, credit for the
famous defunct fertilizer bill of Raw. of
CoWeta. This grows out of the fact that
Kankln's railroad tax bill and Rays fer
tilizer bill were discussed and acted upon
by the House during the same week. and
the names of the authors have become
mixed. Mr.. Rankin asks to be relieved
OF the "soft impeachment" as the rail-
road tax bill is as heavy a burden as he
can bear up under during the summer
months. That will probably go to join
Rays bill.
The present session is not only
MEMORIAL SESSION,
but promises to pass into history as the
portrait session. We have passed in the
House resolutions to procure portraits of
Senator Hill and Governor Stephens and
Governor II. Y. johnson. The relatives
OF Governor Milledge have also secured
the Introduction of a resolution to pro-
cure portrait of that long deceased
Governor. This resolution has created a
general resolution authorizing the Gov
ern0r to procure, as the funds of the State
may justify, portraits of all the deceased
Governors whose portraits have not been
provided for. This prevents any par
tiality in the matter.
The press telegram stating that the
general temperance bill had passed the
Georgia Legislature, was ''tOO previous.v
Inc Dill simply passed the House. 1t now
remains for the Senate to confirm or reject
the action of the House. 1t is hardly pos
sible to now predict the result.
The plan of Mr.. Stern, of Savannah. to
encourage German immigration to this
State through the free distribution of a
German newspaper sent out from his CITY,
has been tavorably reported to the House
by the Committee on immigration. and at
their request recOmmtted to the Finance
committee, to have the financial feature
of the bill duly considered.
While there is some opposition in the
House to the Senate redistricting bill. |
hardly think the measure will be defeated
on its final discussion. The meeting
Wednesday night in opposition to the
bill, presided over by Mr.. Humber. the
able member from Putnum, did not de-
yelop sufficient strength to indicate the
probable success of any proposed changes.
in the Senate bill. To allow one change
Will be to open door for almost endless
discussion.
In my special about the State Road
lease resolution | notice an important
error. The word mot is left out of
remarks of Mr.. Little, of MuscOgee, who
argued that in dsmissing the suit the
State does mot" acknowledge the right
of the lessees to betterments. He would,
if he could, compel them to make such a
disclaimer.
Speaker Garrard is placed III a very deli
cate position. His son, fine bright bov of
thirteen, who came here with his fatherin
good health, has been stricken with dis
ease and lies in critical condition at
the residence Ofthe Speakers sister-Mrs.
Castleman. On yesterday the doctors
performed an operation which may or
may not ensure his recovery. In the
meantime Speaker Garrard is at his post
of duty. Deep sympathy is felt for him.
and his devoted wife.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN THE USUAL,
AMOUNT OF SICKNESS
among the members this session, only one or
two going home on that account. Whisky.
recently, has disabled more members than
disease, especially since the general tenn
perance bill discussion was started. This
is very strange, but solemn truth
Major Charles II. Williams, a we'll
known journalist, formerly of Columbus.
but for several years past a citizen of At.
lanta, left yesterday for Admission. Ala.
where he is to take editorial charge of the
Hot Blast, a new journalistic enterprise
to be started by the founders of that grow
ing town. The significant name adopted
Will make the paper popular with coal
and iron men all over the country. 1t
will always blow a hot blast for Annis-
ton and its numerous industrial enter
prises.
On yesterday the Governor confirmed
the establishment of three new militia
districts in Laurens county, the result of
a quartering of the 343d district. The
new districts are numbered respectively
1867, 1868 and 1869. The records of the
Executive Department show that quite a
number of new districts have been created
i'll the State during the past year.
The press is just now complimentino
Lieutenant Oscar j. Brown, L. S. A., on
his appointment as an INSTRUCTOR at the
West Point Military Academy Lieutenant
Eli ID. Hoyle was appointed Adiutant in
the spring, which gives Georgia two Off
GERS at the Academy, the first since the
war. General E. Z. Alexander, General
Henry &. Wayne, General John NJ. Cuyler,
General w. II. T. Walker, General Wm'
j. Hardpp Captain Harry EopDao ond