The morning news., 1889-05-07
FL0RIDA'S BIG FIGHTS.
THE CHARTER BILL PASSED BY
A VOTE OF 10 TO g


Senator Hammond offered substi-
tute at the Eleventh Hour Which
Was Overwhelmingly Defeated
The Bill to Increase the Powers OF
the Railroad Commission Passes
Second Reading in the House.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, May 6--Amonr
the new measures introduced I'm the Senate
to-day va'a bill to repeal the act creating
a railroad commission, and also memorial
asking congress for an appropriation for
survey for ship canal across the peninsula
OF Florida
The battle over the jacksonville charter
bill eliminated IN desperate struggle by
its opponents and fnal victory for it's ad.
vocates. Senator Parkhill was absent and
paired with Senator Bailey, aud Senator
Tompkins was absent and paired with
Senator King. Senator Hammond led the
opposition gallantly, but the fiery Yancey
kept his forces well in hant 4.ie vote on
the amendment to strike out appointed by
the governor" aud insert elected by the
voters of the city" in selecting the city
council was the oruccal test, and
showed the temper Of the Sepats, being
nineteen TO eight The Amendments
TO submit the bond question to the popular
vote was agreed TO by the friends Of ths
bill as compromise and was
adopted without opposition. Senator Yam
cy thought it strange that the people
who paid taxes should ask the privilege OF
non-tax payers, but voted for the amend
ment by request Of the advocates Of the
bill. The amendment requiring good bonds
of disbursing agents was adopted The
amendment relieving property in the new
territory was oppo ed Ex-senator Schumach-
er on the ground that ID would prevent the
negotiation of bonds, and was withdrawn.
One or two minor amendments were also
adopted.
SUBSTITUTE OFFERED.
A motion to engross the bill for the third
reading was opposed by Senator Hammond,
who offered a leng hy substitute I'm lieu II H.
Ia supporting the substitute Senator Ham,
mond said hs did IL in justification Of the
opponents Of the original bill, and 20 show
that IN y acted in good faith. He hoped
That all parties could reconcile all
differences and meet on COM
mou ground, and he offered the sub
stitute at the first favorable opportunity,
He moved that the Senate 60 into commit.
tee of the whole 10 consider the substitute
THIS was vigorously opposed by Senator
lhncys Who khld tne OIL nhd Deen under
consideration for month"; had been
thoroughly discussed and was well under
stood. Its opponents bad been asked TO
bring in something better than the original
bill, but hadn't done so, and II was too late
m the day to bring up measures Of that
character whom the advocates of the bill
had two thirds majority and could have
forced the issue at any time.
REGULAR MILESTONE.
Senator Swearingen opposed any further
delay. The bill had hung like a milestone
nbout the neck Of the Senate, obstructing
other needed legislation and stopping all
business. After it had been considered section
by section, and ali questions had been settled
by solid vote Of 10, 30 incur further ex-
pense in the consideration of an uuhssrd OF
and hopeless bill was asking too much. The
fight had been forced by the opponents of
the BILL and he wanted TO meet the issue
sduarely without wasting more time.
Senator Hind asked for the read.
ing Of the substitute, which
was opposed by dozen voices.
He insls ell upon The rea1ing and the chair
ruled in his favor. despite the protests and
various mo ions to kill or get rid of IT, The
substitute was then read. occupying half
an hour, and the motiol TO adopt it was
lost by n vote of - 90 Z. The original bill
was then ordered engrossed for the third
reading.