The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-29
GE0RGIA'S LEGISLATURE.
THE DISPENSARY BILL COMBS UP
IN The HOUSE.

It's Author Makes an Elaborate Argu-
ment in support of lit Applies
Only to Counties that Hereafter Go
Dry-The Bill Finally Rscommittsd.
MIR. Peoples Prohibition Bill the
Next to Come Up.
ATLANTA. GA, July 2S.-The ''dispensary
bill" came up to-day in the House. Great
interest was felt in it.
Mr.. Martin of Fulton, its author, made
an elaborate and forcible argument for it.
The bill is to apply only to counties that
GREATER go dry" 1t commends itself to
the ants under these circumstances as
better than absolute prohibition. The argu-
ment to reach the prohibitionists was that
absolute prohibition is unreasonable, that
they will be stronger in the conservative
dispensary platform than on an absolute
prohibition basis. and that if absolute pro-
hibition be pushed there will come re-
action of popular sentiment, and the good
already accomplished by prohibition viii
be swept away.
MIR. Barrett Of Pike spoke for the Dill
His opinion had peculiar weight, from tne
fact that the dispensary plan has aireaIy
been practically tested in BarnesvlIe' IKE
county. Mr.. Barrett declared that 1t mad
been a decided success, and that all lac
tions were satisfied with 1t
THE POWER TO TAX.
Mr.. Fleming of Richmond called atten-
ton 10 article :, section 6, paragraph 2,
reading: "The general assembly shall not
have power 10 delegate TO any county the |
right TO levy a tax for any purpose, except |
in inst iprY
chiIdfen in the elementary branches OF an |
English education, only to build and repair |
the public buildings, and bridges, to main |
tain and support prisoners, TO pay jurors |
and coroners, and for litigation, quarantine, |
roads and the expenses of the courts, to sup |
port paupers and pay debts heretofore |
existing Now asked Mr.. Fleming. |
under which of those heads can any county
levy a tax for the money TO start the dis
suensary. or to meet any loss that may be
incurred by operating itp
Mr. Martin thought this could be done
under the police powers of the state and
county.
MIR. Fleming thought this very unsatis-
factory answer to his question.
Several amendments were offered, and
finally, upon motion of Mr. Berner. a friend
of the measure, the bill was recommitted.
PEOPLES BILL.
The prohibition bill by Mr.. Peoples Of
Gwinnett came up for concurrence in the
Senate amendments. The bill is to prohibit
the sale of liquor within three miles of any
church or public or private school house,
except in incorporated cities and towns
There was an interesting parliamentary
fight over the admission of new amend
AZnents.
Mr.. Berner of Monroe made the point
that the bill itself could not be amended,
but only amendments to the Senate amend
ments could be made. The chair ruled that
this is the general parliamentary usage,
but some of the amendments offered might
or might not be construed as growing di-
rectly out of the Senate amendments. AS
the rules of the House are rather vague
upon this question, the speaker asked to be
given time for Investigation, and that the
bill be tabled by unanimous consent. This
was given and the bill will be taken up to-
morrow Immediately after the reading of
the journal.
BILLS ON THIRD READING.
These were among the bills on third read
ing:
To amend section 1862 (c) of the Code
The original bill was by Mr.. Atkinson Of
Columbia A substitute by Mr.. Hogan of
Lincoln was recommended by the commit
tee. The object is to prevent the stealing
of cotton in small quantities by requiring a
license to deal or barter in seed cotton be-
tween Aug. and Dec. 90 This stops store
keepers from receiving stolen cotton, ex-
cept upon payment Of a s300-license. The
applicant for such liceuse must be in
idersed, showing his good character. The
bill was indefinitely postponed, which killslt.
By Mr.. Berner of Monroe-To amend Sec
tion 719 of the Code, giving the railroad
commission power to institute suit without
notice for any violation Of the rules or
regulations of the commission. This is fol-
lowing out the suggestions OF Chairman
Trammell in his letter embodied in the
governors message.
The bill to incorporate the Excelsior
Bank of Savannah, which was introduced
by Nr. Hartridge. passed.
The bill to amend the charter of the
Savannah Lighterage and Transfer Com
pany. which was introduced by Mr.. Clifton,
passed.