Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-09
RAYS BILL LOST BY A VOTE.
It's Defeat just Accomplished After a
Long Debate.


ATLANTA, July I'm the House this
morning the Judiciary Committee re-
ported that local and special bills cannot
be relieved by a single resolution to cover
all, but must be voted on separately.
Mr.. Rays fertilizer bill discussion was
renewed and Mr.. Ray spoke about au
hour, followed by Mr.. Atkinson, of Merl-
Wether, in opposition. Mr.. Wright, of
Washington, moved to recOmmit the bill
to the Judiciary Committee to have it
duly considered and perfected. The mo-
ton was lost by a heavy majority.
Mr.. Falligant opposed that part of Mr..
/ Rays speech which referred to LAWYERS
and the law, and ridiculed some of his
illustrations, much to the amusement of
the House. He desired to have the bill
printed and a day set to renew the dis
cussion, as the bill was very important
and should be thoroughly understood.
The motion was lost by yeas 60 to NAYS II.
Mr.. James, of Douglass, resumed the
discussion, and made an impassiOnate
speech in favor of the bill. Mr.. Lettre, of
MuscOgee, opposed the bill and confined
his remarks to the legal points.
He contended that the Legislature
should not pass this law to encourage
farmers to repudiate their guano debts.
1t allows them to plead failure of cOnsid-
GRAFTON, and thereby repudiate their
guano notes. He claimed that farmers
were not compelled to sign these notes,
but law and good morals require that
when they do they should pay them. The
present laws are ample to protect farmers
from frauds on the part of fertilizer
dealers. Mr. Little made a lengthy argu-
ment, and was frequently questioned and
cross questioned by Mr.. Spence. of
Mitchell, Mr.. Patton, of Thomas, and
others, but he held his own with rare
ability.
Mr. Middlebrook, of Newton, favored
the bill, and claimed that many ignorant
farmers signed these notes. and this class
should be protected by the passage of this
bill.
Mr.. Spence, of Mitchell, called the pre-
Yious question, and the motion was car
ried.
Mr.. Peck, of Rockdale, Chairman of the
Agricultural Committee, was allowed 20
minutes to close. He cOntended that the
farmers on the floor of the House did not
advocate this bill. Its passage would pre-
vent them from getting fertilizers except
for cash. The present laws amply protect
the farmers. The yeas and nays were or
dered and resulted in 81 yeas ard 81
nays, lacking the one vote necessary to
make it constitutional. The Speaker
declared the bill lost, which called forth
considerable applause from the opponents
of the measure. A strong effort will be
made Monday to reconsider and pass the
bill.
About a dozen leaves of absence were
granted.
In the Senate leaves of absence were
granted five Senators.
The rules were suspended and the fol-
lowing bills were read for the first time:
BY Mr.. Oliver-Changing the time Of
holding the Superior Courts of Scriven,
Emanuel and BullOch counties.
BY Mr.. Baker-Authorizing creditors
to redeem the property Of debtors sold
under tax ii. fas.
By Mr.. JOnes-Amending the act for
the publication OF Supreme Court reports.
Senator Tutt was added to the Judiciary
Committee.
A bill to establish branch college at
Waycross was Withdrawn as local and
goes to the House.
The bill to accept the Walthourville
Academy for university was recon-
mitted to the Education Committee.
The bill to amend section 1910 of the
Code was read second time and was
lost on the adverse report.
The Governor has been pushed to-day
with appeals in regard to Judge and
Solicitor of the City Court, applicants
and friends pressing claims. Solicitor
Ellis retires, and half dozen young law
yers are after the place, all well backed.