The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-22
FATEOF THE STATE ROAD
THE DAYS DEBATE ONE OF TIE
LIVELIEsT TET.

" II EEGO1n4e Afe--+--F $3.50
ov decentralization To-Day - Mr..
Harrers Amendment in Favor o.
Selling Comes Under DR.. Felton's
Fire.
ATLANTA, GA, Aug. 2l.-When oonsid
grafton # the lease bill was resumed to-
day Mr. O'Nein Of Fulton scored victory
bv securing the adoption Of his amendment
10 section 5, prov ding that the com
mission TO receive bi Is instead of de-
Gliding shall Immediately transmit hem
70 the general ASSEMBLY if it is
in session, which shall Immediately con
vene in ! int session and determine to which
bidder the road shall be leasei, with the
right to reject any and all bids. IT the
general assembly Is not in sessio then tina
commission created by the bill shall deter
mine which shall be accepted. This amend
ment was adopted by majority OF one
vote.
Mr.. FELTON, gave notice that he would
move reconsideration tomorrow, ana the
impression is that it will be defeated when
reconsldered.
HARRELL'S DESIRE TO SELL.
The sense ton Of the day IS debate was over
Mr.. HarrelI's amendment providing for the
sale. if no acceptable bid t. lease IS received
Mr.. Har ell made a strong and earnes
speech in support of his amendment. de
said the state ought not to own railroad,
and aid the road had cost in discussions.
proper discussions, hundre Is of thousands
of dollars. The main argune II IN favor OF
the sale was that the ownership OF road
was not ore OF the proper functions OF
state. TIE state has as muc business t.
start hotel or a factory in competition
with citizens, or to do a nero antile business;
NOT JUSTIFIED IN HOLDING 1T.
He said that the circumstances were not
such now as T. justify the state IN holding
the road, ard the c1nstituti IN OF 1917 pro
hibits the state builiing any others. IL IS
necessary in this day for road t. build
branches to protect itself. The state road
cannot do that and has to suffer in conse-
quence. 1t has no power n protect Itself
against rivals. The time is near when II
will be stranded high and dry as local
road. and will be an expense TO the state.
The East Tennessee is its competitor.
WILL LOSE HEAVILY IN VALUE.
1t is prep sed to extend the Marietta and
North Georgia to Atlanta and take away
one-sixth Of the value of the road and one
sixth Of the income He spoke of the Cen
trails Kansas City connections, which
the Chattanooga. Rome and Colu MUS
He understood there was a movement on
foot TO make a shorter line fr m Dalton to
Chattanooga. The pc pie near the line of
the state road are deprived of transporta-
ton facilities because the state road cannot
build extensions and branches.
a DOG IN THE MANGER.
The road ought to be sold SO a new owner
can build branches. At resent it is dog
in the manger. The sale Of the ad would
wipe out the public debt, con,u nmatIoA
de- outiy t. be wished. The interest saved
could go t. the schools.
He was followed on the same line by Mr..
Davis of Burke
FELTON, SLAUGHTERS THE AMENDMENT
Mr. FELTON, obtained tine floor and in a
speech which commanded the attention of
tue whole bouse fairly slaughtered the
amendment. He attacked the most vulner-
able feature OF the scheme, providing no Y
the PAYMENTS shall be made, to meet the
maturing public debt, pressi G the pcint
that if the rental should be apple to the
debt by the time the purchasers could pay
for the road under Mr.. Harrel's amend
ment the state would have wiped out the
public DEBT, and still own the road and per-
haps with enha ced value.
HOW THE HOUSE STANDS.
road as sh wn by a VI te on a res luton
some days ago. He said the efforts to get
the ease bll entangled with amendme Is
was not the work of friends OF the lease
He said Mr.. Harrell was inconsistent in
claiming at one time that the road was
worth s., 100000, and at another that it
was soon 10 become c Jmparati teiy vauelesS
AS to the possible decrease in value he
said tlat twenty years ag when Gen. Blu
lock and his gang were in control numbers
Of men wanted TO sell the road for IS, 000, :
600. He was glad that the road was not
sold. 1t has increased in value at least
S3,0OO,OOO
GROWTH OF THE ROADS BUSINESS.
He spoke at leng # the growth of the
bu mess Of the state road, hlch has fol
lowed the development Of the state in coal,
iron, marble. etc. If Georgia were on her
deathbed aid making her will, he would
advocate the sale But, thank God, she is
not dead or dying. She has Increases in
taxable value, including railroads,
$4,000, 600 in twelve months. The state
was never SO prosperous, magnificent in her
possessions, ID in her prospects, aud Vet
the gentleman from Webster, in his gl pomy
imagination, presents the picture of dying
state.
MIR. Davis of Burke asked what guarantee
the state mad that the same mistake would
What is thatl' asked Mr.. Felt N.
Leasing for $4,000 when S35, 900 wa
offered" said Mr.. Davis.
"a his time said Mr.. FELTON,, I'VE have
down yonder John B. Gordon and that
comptroller general, [Applause1 Ole
Nathan Barnett, BIB Hardenan and
Clifford Anderson, to whom this matter i,
turned over / stead OF being turned over TX
Rufus Bullock and his gang as in 1S70.n
THE HOUSE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT.
The sentiment of the House seemed Sc
decided against the amendment that mum
Der gentlemen VINO intended adiressilg
the House favor Of the sale refrained alC
a vote was taken, resulting II the defeat oil
the anne dment by a vote of 81 81.
In the Senate to-day the special order wa
the bill prov ding for the election of tn,
commissioner of agriculture by the people.
1t had been adverse y.reported. After some
discussion it was laid over till next Tues
day.
A bill to secure speedy trials in nuisanc,
cases was passed by Substitute providing
that all mills a d manufacturers which
tend TO annoy the people generally, OF
which manifestly iniure the public health
shall be COZ sidered nuisauces.
The following bills passed.:
Amending the soldiers pension act so a
to provide for the destitute widows of con
federates.
To amend the act creating a board O
county commissioners in Lii ertv county,
To transfer Do, ly county from the Oco
nee to South western circuit
go flrpt - !