The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-30
BERNER'S BILL TAKEN UP
THE DEBATE THAT PROCEEDS THE
VOTE UNDER WAY.

Mr.. Berper Argues in Favor OF the
Massure-He Charges That Lobby
'. a, Work-Mr. Chsppen Speaks
In Favor of His Substitute-Mr. Gil
bert Against Competition.
ATLANTA. GA, Sept. 29.-The Berner
hill was read and put upon its passage in
the House this morning. Both the majority
and tba minority substitutes recommended
bv the committee were read aud DR.. Chap
nall NJ Laurens offered third substitute.
Dr Cbappel said the bill reported by him
self had been formulated by the farmers of
the House in caucus In beginning his
snaech Mr.. Berner said he never farthered
a measure which he was not willing to re-
linouish for something wiser on the question.
None of the great problems OF the country
were so important and so far reaching as the
question of transportation. he referred 70
the armies of laborers engaged in the rail-
road business and the poverty of the toilers.
Transportation, he said was factor in the
government, though it would seem
that it should occupy no place
in politics because ii " as pure business.
CORPORATIONS were created for good. They
had crowded this country with blessing
from ocean to ocean, but having extrAorol-
nary power they should be subject to extra
ordinary restrictions to prevent abuse ana
oppression.
ARAP AT JAY GOULD.
He referred to the ovation 20 jay Gould
as he passed through Atlanta on his way to
deep water at Savannah, and then showed
up his corrupt political and financial infiu>
enoes, as disclosed In the investigation OF
the Erie Railway Company. THAT Is the
kind OF man, he said, "whom we are told is
10 transform Georgia from a desert to
towering Eden" He demanded that the
railroads restore to the people the substan's
tial benefits of honest competition,
which was the purpose of the
bill. The constitution was in favor OF COM
petition and against monopoly, and be said
the legislature was here sworn TO the en-
forcement Of that constitution. Mr..
Berner paid his respects to the
and ply their "filthy" business among the
members He had the clerk read the Sec
ton of the constitution declaring lobbying
a crime In Georgia, and asked which would
be obeyed, the beck Of the lobbyist or the
stern demand of the people Several rail-
road bills OF lading we're read by Mr.. Berner.
They had been sent him by one of his farmer
constituents, aud showed that in the matter
of watermelons the railroad charges oon-
sunIed in many instances the entire pro-
ceeds of the sale of the mel
ons. In other instances the farmers
realized IS or IS On a car of melons, while
the railr Dad got from $l15 to $125. The
advance in coal rates vas discussed, and it
was shown that an immense sum Of money
was extorted from the people by this ar
bitrary action of monopoly. Mr.. Berner
also devoted some time to an arrsignment
sof the boycott of the Georgia Southern and
Florida. He spoke Of the lease Of the Gen.
trail TO the Georgia Pacific as a somewhat
strange transaction.
DR.. CHAPPELL SPEAKS.
DIR. Chappell spoke Immediately after the
afternoon session was called to order accord
Ing to the understanding when the House
adjourned. He made characteristic speech
In favor OF his substitute.
Mr.. Gilbert of Muscoges followed the
gentleman from Laurens. He said he had
always voted on the side of the competitive
clause Of the constitution in the past, but in
the future he would cast his vote directly
opposite. He was no longer benighted or
unable to think for himself on this question.
He was in favor of letting those operate the
railroads who could make them pay
expenses. Mr.. Gilbert quoted figures so
show that freight rates were not only rea-
sonable, but lower than they had ever been.
AS to competition he said be did not believe
the people wanted competition as IL was
usually understood, and further more, he
did not believe there could be any such
thing as competition out OF the present
policy
The argument Of this bill was suspended
until tomorrow morning. and in commit
tee OF the whole resolution by Mr.. Clifton
Of Chatham, to appropriate $3.50 for the
purchase OF the files Of the Milledgeville
Southern Recorder was reported unfavora-
bly,. The report was agreed to and the res
olution was lost.
The bill by Mr.. Polk OF Oglethorpe, pro-
viding for the creation of the office Of rail-
road inspector and defining his duties, was
taken up. In the original bill provision
was made for railroad inspector at sal
airy Of $4,000. The railroad committees
substitute dispensed with the commission
and placed the work in the hands Of the
railroad commission. The bill was lost
An attempt was made to spring the Ocala
resolution on the House again. but it was
sQuelched.