The Dawson journal., 1885-07-16
Letter from Atlanta,
ATLANTA, Ga, !
j uly 18th, 1885. (
Or DAWSON LouRNtI.

EDITOR DAWSON JOURNAL
The Georgia Legislature is
now fully organized and prepared
for work. The present iudica-
tions promise long session; pos
sibly to the 18th Of Septc mber or
the list of October. With only a
few exceptions each member, both
of the Senate and House, has some
bill of lals own to introduce, and
thinks i quite Important that it
should pass at this session. In
fact, he cannot understand how
the State has been managed and
held together without his bill.
Up to this writing nothing Of i'm
portance has been brought before
TIE House except the bill of DR..
Felton,, of Barlow, to establish a
reforma5ory prison or a house Of
correction for all women, and ju-
venile convicts below the age Of
Is years, who shall hereafter be
sentenced for a term of three
months or more. After fully ven
tllating this question for two DAYS
1t was finally referred to com
mlttee of nine to prepare bill
and report at some future day-as
early as practicable.
The general local option bill
was the special order for to-day,
and was called up by Mr.. Brant,
OF Richmond. It has been freely
discussed, both for and against the
measure. The bill provides that
any militia district, town, city,
coanty,or within a radius Of three
miles of any church, upon petit
ton may vote upon
the question Of prohibition every
two years until prohibition pre-
walls. In my judgement the bill
IS Objectionable. For instance, at
least few counties in this State
have from s to Is militia districts
to say nothing Of the towns in
these counties, and each Of these
districts and towns viii have a
sufficient number OF voters to
force an election when there is
no hope to secure prohibition.
The result Will be strife, i'll will,
bad feeling in the districts and
towns among friends and neigh
bors. 1t is insisted upon that the
time has come to act upon this
all important measure If this
be true, and do not question it,
then | say let as meet it squaYely
and handle it in the manner it de-
serves by passing general pro-
hibition bill for the entire State,
and not only stop the sale but the
manufacture Of it in any manner.
This bill has had great deal of
publicity and it certainly deserves
deep thought and serious
reflection, and ! fully ap-
preclate my position, which
IS not a popular one. But such is
my deep conviction that { shall
disregard all popular senti-
ment and vote for it,
The bill to establish q. school of
technology introduced by Hon. N.
u. Harris, Of Bib, has been
made the special order for next
Thursday. 1t is regarded as one
OF the most ilnportanr bills. before
the House. [ hope to sec. it pass.
1t VIII certainly tend to open up
our State and build up our manu-
factories, make labor more eff
Client S and reliable. A goodly nun
Der OF local bills have been intro
duced, but none Of them affect the
county of Terrell, unless it be a
phi introduced by Hon. L. Arm
nm, OF Dougherty, to e5tabllsh a
stock law for the county Of Dourh-
erty. Ii this should pass it might
6e that Terrell would have to
Duild line fence,or a part of
1t, to protect herself.
AS TAR as | am able, | Will keen
You advised each week.