The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-04
STATE ROAD DISPUTES.
THE OLD LEssEEs MAY BE GIVEN
A HEARING.

Senator Zachary Proposes to Turn
the Whole Question over to a Board
of Commiss oners With Power to
Settle the Matter-A AIilder Measure
Introduced in the House.
ATLANTA, GA. Dec. S.-Tne state road,
which took up so much of the time of the
lawmakers last year and made the session
the longest on record in the state, bids fair
to become again the subject of interninabls
wraugling Resolutions were introduced
in both houses this morning, with the
view Of opening the way for a hearing of
the claims Of the old lease company. Mr..
Zachry. in the Senate, proposed to create a
board if commissioners to whom shall be
referred for final adjudication all claims .
between the company and tho tate, in-
cluding, apparently. those for betterments.
His resolution evidently means business. A
synopsis is as follows: The lessees Of tho
state road claim that tho line aud its ap-
purtenancos are In better coalition than
when they received it, and that they are
not bound to return it in better condition
without payment for tho improvements.
Therefore to remove all doubts be it
Resolpod. That the assembly, without con-
ceding any part of the claims, aud with explicit
denial thereof in whole and In part. authorize
the governor 60 appoint, with the approval OF
the Senate. five citizens of Georgia. eminent for
integrity and ability, to constituts commission.
with authority TO hear. consider aud determine
according to the law, justice and equity thereof
the claims set forth, Including the taxes paid in
Tennessee and a final ad iustmen of said claims
between the essees and the state which iudg-
ment, when rendered, to be binding upon both
parties.
hcs,iued. That the said com mission shall
meet In the city of Atlanta, Dec. - 1890 and
conclude its iabors by June l, 1871, The CONF
mission shall have the power TO engage experts.
compel the attendance Of witnesses, the pro-
ductlon OF books aud other Information neces-
sary 10 the investigai Ion. 1t shall be the duty
OF the attorney general 20 represent the inter
ests OF the state before the commission. The
commission Is not TO exercise any Of the powers
granted herein till the railroad lease company
binds itself In writing TO abide the decision of the
commissioners and abandon every other proceed
ing whatever to enforoe and assert itH aforesaid
claim. Tho attorney general shall submit all
lawful counter claims ia behalf Of the state
that may be proper under the lease contract.
The commission shall pass upon the same, file
their Judgment with the governor and by him
to DO communicated to the next general assem-
bly, The governor is authorized to employ
legal assistance for the attorney general IL
needed. All the expenses OF the investigation.
attorneys fees excepted shall be borne equally
by the state and the lessees.
A MLDER PROPOSITION.
In the House Mr.. jackson of Heard iu-
trodnced a much milder resolution, pro-
posing the appointment OF a joint committee
to ascertain and report how accounts stand
between the state and the lessees. 1t reads:
WHEREAS The outgoing leesees OF the West
ern and Atlantic railroad claim that thers are
differences existing between them and the
state amounting 20 large sum OF money; and
WHEREAS, Il Is known to this general Assem-
bly, that the said lessees did pay 10 the state OF
Tennessee certain taxes on the property OF the
Western and Atlantic railroad, waioh said taxes
should have been paid by the state Of Georgia;
therefore, be II
Res,ived, BY the House Of Representatives,
the Senate concurring. that n committee of five
from the House aud three from the Senate, bs
appointed TO investigate an report back TO the
general assembly at an early day what amount
Il due, II any, by the state TO the said outgoing
lessees
Mr.. Atkinson of Coweta asked the ap-
pOIntment OF standing committee of If
teen, as last year, to take charge OF all mat
ters relating 10 the road.
Mr.. Whitfsld's resolution directing an
investigation by the Attorney General OF
the condition OF the states property in
Chattanooga connected with the road was
concurred IN by the Senate.
That body also passed the William bill
providing for amending special railroad
charters under the general law, so as to
relieve the assembly Of a large part of the
rubbish which now clogs the wheels OF
legislation.
Among the House bills read in the Senate
tho first time was that TO appropriate $l8,-
600 t. improve tho capitol grounds, and
10 amend tno charter of the Gsrmania
Saving Bank.