Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-02
GE0RGIA'S LEGISLATURE.
SCORES OF MEMBERS ALREADY
AT THE CAPITAL.

al II ~
ONCE Seekers Putting Every Wire Pos
"ible-Hon. John $. Davidson Almost
Sure Of the Presidency OF the Senate
Mr.. Little's Mortgage on the Speaker
ship Almost sure to Hold Good.
ATLANTA, Nov. 1.-For some time
workmen, under the direction OF Adjt. Gen.
stephens, eX-ofiicio keeper OF the public
buildings, have been actively engaged in
and about the legislative halls at the
capitol. They have been putting things
to rights, always a proceeding of great ne
cessity in Georgia just previous to the
meeting of the General Assembly. The
old building is an aggregation of age, di-
lapidation and dirt, and but for thorough
oyerhauling on these occasions would i'll
accommodate our law makers. The at
mosphere of the halls has been fumigated,
the dust chased out, the desks and chairs
vanished anew, and in the House of
Representatives bright, new, red carpet
laid upon the spacious floor, whose cheer
ful color will lend a pleasant air to the
sessions OF that body.
The Legislature is getting to Atlanta
rapidly and scores of members are at the
hotels tonight. They are beseged by the
candidates, all OF whom are here. The
logrolling Is lively and everybody is busy.
| The talk is about the Senate presidency,
speakership, clerkships. doOrkeepers,
judgeshtps, sOlicitOrships, committee
plans, and everything else that
mas an office about 1t. The crowd will all
be here tomorrow, and the winning
candidates known tomorrow night. w.
w. Gordon, of Chatham, is very promi-
nently mentioned for the craftsmanship Of
the Finance Committee, the most i'm
pOrtant in the House. For chairman are
mentioned Mr. Feahterstone, of Floyd,
Mr.. McLendon, OF Thomas, and Mr.. Har-
rell, OF Webster.
THE ORGANIZATION.
1t is not likely that the cOnvening and
organ ZatiOn of the General Assembly
will be attended with any unusual inter
est or excitement. II is not expected
that there will be a very spirited contest
over the election OF the permanent officers
OF the two houses. In the Senate the
Presidency, which ranks eX-otiicio as the
highest position next to the Governor
snip in the State, will be- sought
by Hon. W. K. Smith, of the Tenth dis
trlct, Hon. John s. Davidson. OF the
Eighteenth, and Hon. l.. Il. Pringle, of
the Twentieth. OF these gentlemen, Mr..
| Davidson was the only member of the
last Senate, and was very popular and
influential senator. Mr.. Davidson will
be supported on account of the prominent
position he occupied In that body and the
experience which he has in its proceed
ings. lie is a man of public spirit, con-
servatiye and patriotic, and will repre-
sent constituency of when he and the
whole State has reason to be proud.
OTHER AsPIRANTS.
The Hon. "Tete" Smith, of Albany, one
of his opponents, is distinguished citi-
zen OF the State--an old war veteran.
he will be urged as suitable man to
NIL that high office.
Hon. T.. X. Pringle, of Washington
county, will be pressed for the Preslden-
cy. He was member of tie last House
and was chiefly distinguished as the ad-
vOcate and cha mpion Of prohibition. His
candidacy will probably De based largely
on that idea, and the prohibJiOnists IN
that body will doubtless advocate his
election on that score. 1t il not proba-
BILE that Senators will allow them selves
to be controlled in the elec tion of officers
by the prohibition or any other faction
In Georgia politics. The Indications are
that Senator Davidson will be elected
President of the Senate. He is one of the
old members, has the claim OF seniority
over his opponents, has had considerable
experience as presiding officer, and Is
we'll equipped tor the office.
THE sECRETARYHsIP.
Hon. William A. Harris, OF Worth
county. who has for a long time filled the
office of Secretary OF The Senate, Is again
an applicant Tor that position, and il is be-
lieved has no opposition. This is a high
compliment to tine man aud ofiic al. lie
will be elected without contest, and there
will probably be very little change in his
clerical force.
In the House the old officers will proba-
bly, be reelected. Hon. W. A. Little, OF
MuscOgee, the Speaker Of the last House,
has been returned, and will without
doubt be given second term of that
office. There is some contest over the
Office of Clerk OF the House. The candi-
dates are Hon. Mark A. Harden and Hon.
| Cooper Nisblt. Col. Hardin has been
Clerk for several terms, and will probably
be elected again, although the friends Of
Nisblt are giving him strong support.
LEGISLATIVE TOPICS.
Divers matters Of public interest will
be brought up in this Legislature. Some
| OF these are new and some have been the
stock in trade of several Legislatures
passed. The most important OF these now
discussed are the State railroad lease, the
convict lease, prohibition, the revocation
Of State aid to the Marietta and North
Georgia railroad, granted by the last
| Legislature, the reiunding of over S2,000,-
600 Of bonds, and q general oyerhaulIng
| of the insurance laws of the State. In re-
gard TO the last named the Comptroller
| General, who is ex-otlicio Insurance Com
missioner, will call attention TO the fact
that they are wofuly detective and point
out Ger ain needed Improvements.
1t is a question whether the Railroad
Commission will occupy such a prOmi-
nent position in the proceedings OF this
legislature as in the last, although many
seem TO think so, and that the recent de-
cslon of the United States Supreme Court
in the Illinois case will exercise somo-
what of a controlling influence in what
ever legislation may be attempted.
Hon. j. l.. sweat, of Clinch, a candidate
for the Judgesn,p Of the Brunswick cir
cult, arrived In the city to-day.
A Big Blaze at Rockford.
! ROCKFORD, ILL, Nov. 1.-Flre today