The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-10
LAST OF THE LAWMAKERS
THE LEGISLATURES FINALLY ADJ
JoURNS SINE DIE.

SOooA0Ls
ATLANTA, GA E, Nov. 9-The question of
the lease Of the Western & Atlantic rail
road, which has been distracting topic in
tine legislature and throughout the state for
some time, was definitely settled this after
noon. The conference committee this
afternoon succeeded iu coming to-
gether. Before the agreement
the House side stood out
for June 10 and the Senate for Aug l5
After much discussion July was suggested
as a compromise ground, and it was ao-
cepted. The committee reported recon-
mending that the bill be- amended by
striking out in section ? the words "Noy.
20" and inserting June 27," and amending
section by striking out "27th day of
october" and inserting June 27.n
AN EXAMINATION COMMITTEE.
The committee also recommended that In
section 10, following the amendment. "Or-
dlnary wear and tear until the expiration
OF the present lease excepted, /" the follow
ing be added: "And the governor shall ap
point three expert railroad men not CON
nected with the lease company or any cor
poration having shares therein, whose duty
it shall be to examine the railroad bed and
its appurtenances within ten days prior to
the opening of the bids, and make a COM
plete report Of the condition Of the same TO
the governor, to be fled in the office of
the secretary of state, which report shall
be taken as showing the true condition Of
the road at that time. In the event that
the road is readvertised for sale like ex-
animation shall be made prior to the open
ing Of the bids" The report was unani-
mously adopted in both houses, aud the bill
as amended was passed.
THE HOUR OF ADJOURNMENT.
A joint resolution this afternoon fixed
ths hour Of final adjournment at 5 O'Clock.
but it was extended half an hour.
In the House Speaker Clay made a fare.
well speech. He made a statement of the
business transacted to Justify the House as
against the press criticisms about the length
of the session. He said there had been
introduced in the House /, ,16O bills and 70s
had been passed; III resolutions had been
introduced and SO passed. The speaker re-
ferred to the pressure on the legislature of
local legislation, which had occupied SO
much Of the session, and said that if no
remedy was provided the sessions would
grow longer and longer. He expected to
see the day when these local matters would
be attended to by the courts at the cost of
those interested. The speaker reviewed the
most important of the legislation of the
session.
THE STATE ROAD.
On the Western and Atlantic railroad he
said:
The most important question that has been
before us has been the disposal of the Western
and Atlantic railroads. piece OF property that
cost the state $1s,000, 900. That matter has
necessarily consumed q great portion OF the
time, and we have passed a bill that wisely
omar rTa ava inf ra0f of IL afafa and
trust will enable the proper authorities to dis
pose Of this property so as to make It pay to
the treasury OF Georgia every dollar that Il is
worth. We have been criticised because We
have not adjusted what the lessees claim for
betterments.
WHAT BKTTERMKNTs MEAN
The legislature has acted upon the principle
that the word betterments means permanent
improvements-in other words, improvements
to the state, and that by law these improve
ments become part OF the right Of way and at
the end OF the lease become the prop
erty OF the state. They have acted
upon the further principle that the
lessees are bound TO return the same amount
Of rolling stock in quantity and quality, as the
lessess received from the state, and that the
rolling stock over and above this amount in the
hands of the lessees belongs TO them. In other
words, we propose to lease to the new
lessees such rolling stock as we
are entitled to receive from our present
tenants and the roadbed In its present condi-
ton, Wild Of01OHfy wear ana L6al, 10 Jne eXUl-
ration of the present lease. Those who win
take the trouble TO read the bill we have passed
will see that this is the position taken by
the House. l believe our position is well
founded In law, and that the people will have no
fault to fndwith the course we have pursued
The state may be liable for taxes claimed by
the lessees. This is a question that have not
had time TO look up, but II does not effect the
lease Of the road and can be settled at the
termination OF the lease. If the state owes it
1t ought to pay it, II not OF course 1t ought not
t. be paid.
The speaker returned thanks to the House
for the uniform courtesy he had been
treated with. and closed by complimenting
the body on its industry, faithful discharge
of duty and patriotism.
MEMORIAL REPORTS.
Two memorial committees reported in the
House to-day, one on Mr.. Boone of Hall
and the other on Mr. Mattox of Clinch who
by Mr. Clifton, the chairman.
The Senate passed the House bill reducing
the fees for fertilizer inspections from so to
20 cents per ton. The Senate amended by
making the amount 10 cents, and the House
concurred.
The House passed the Senate bill incor-
porating the American Inter Ocean Canal
Company, amending 1t so as TO confine the
operations Of the company TO the Isthmus
Of Panama.
vENABLE's PROTEST.
Mr. Venable of Fulton submitted writ
ten protest against the manner in which
the legislature had treated the claim
of the lessees for betterments, be-
lieving that it will result in heavy and
costly litigation in the courts and seriously
impair the value Of the property soon to be
leased. The protest was spread on the
minutes. BY consent Messrs. Macarthur of
Montgomery, and Mr.. Griffin of Twiggs
counties added their signatures to it,
The House to-day presented 6peaker pro
tenn. Calvin with fine gold watch. Door
keeper Martin was presented by the House
with fine suit Of clothes and pair of gold
spectacles. The speech was made by Mr..
Clifton.
NEGRO EDUCATION.
The bill to give Morris Brown college
81, 900 year and $4,000 accumulated In
the treasury from the appropriation form
erly enjoyed by Atlanta university, was
killed in the Senate to-day, as the commit
tee reported adversely. Mr.. Bartlett said
he voted money for the education
of whites and blacks, but only when COM
PEELED to under the law. When left free
nothing could Induce him to use his efforts
to aid In an insurrection among the lower
classes. When the state had provided
a common scnool education for the negro
she mad done all she ought to do. Never
since 1872 had there been so many riots or
disturbances which it was necessary to re-
sist by the legislature. He would never
vote one dollar TO educate and qualify
rioters. Mr.. Whitfield said tbs name Of no