The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-22
CHATHAM'S REGISTRATION.
The House Committee to Report the
Bill FdVOTably.

On Vne rloor OF the House, or Be-
fore the Senate Committee 49, The
Representatives from Chatham Re
fuse to Hold a Conference With the
Delegation Unless the Latter Apol-
ogizes for the Charges of Unfair
ness-The Apology Not Made.
Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 2l-The citizens
committee of Savannah, appointed to op-
pose the passage of the Doolan registra-
tion BILL reached Atlanta this morning,
and this afternoon presented their argu-
ments against the bill to the special
Judiciary committee Mai. Ryals, County
Attorney Saussy, Gen. McGlashan and
MIR. Hartridge of the committee, addressed
the legislators, and made out strong
case against the proposed change in the
registration law that has served the peo-
pie OF Chatham county satisfactorily for
twenty years, but the judiciary committee
preferred to accept the undivided senti-
ment of the House delegation in passing
upon the bill, and it was agreed to favora-
bly, report it back to the House.
The previous action Of the committee
in fayorably reporting upon the bill be-
fore the opposition was heard from, un-
doubtedly contributed largely to the re-
suit of to-day's proceedings; An unfa-
vorable report to-day would have been
equivalent to an endorsement of the
charges Of unfairness and disregard of
obligations that have been made against
the Chatham representatives on account
Of the way the bill originally went
through the committee. Such step
by the committee would have been very
serious matter, and from the outset the
idea seemed to be that, in view of all
these circumstances, the easiest way out
of the muddle would be to stand by the
Chatham members in the committee, and
then let the fight on the merits of the bill
be fought out in the House, or in the Sen
ate committee. The Senate committee
can hear both sides of the question with
out being hampered by personal consid-
erations, such as could not be eliminated
from the controversy in the House, and
the citizens committee will carry its pro-
test there with confidence in the result.
Senator Wright, with whom the com
mittee held conference to-day,
is independent Of Savannah politics and
his influence will be used to further the
interest Of the public generally, as he un-
derstands the voice of the people in
regard to the Doolan bill.
DEMAND FOR AN APOLOGY.
When the citizens committee reached
the capital this morning Gen. McGlashan,
as chairman, sent a polite note to the
Chatham delegation requesting confer
ence on the bill This request the dele
cation refused to grant unless the COM
mittee submitted an explicit apology for,
and retraction of the charges of unfair
ness on their part, made to the
special judiciary committee. Chair
man McGlashan naturally refused to
listen to such a demand, inasmuch
as he had already stated in an interview,
published last Saturday, that the charges
of unfairness were made under misuu-
derstanding. This published explanation,
the committee thought, was amply sufii-
cient to satisfy the feelings of the dele
cation and a second request for confer
ence was not made, but the members were
thanked for securing the hearing before
the judiciary committee.
The action of the Chatham members in
refusing this conference with
committee, representing their
constituents, was severely criticized in
the House, where it was the sensation of
the hour. 1t was regarded as the out
cropping of a personal animosity, which
was not only an insult to the committee
but the community that sent them TO pre-
sent their wishes to the legislature. The
Chatham representatives themselves
quickly realized their blunder by the at
titude of the House, and as an Offset pre-
sented privileged resolutions in favor of
the members of the citizens committee.
There was a slim attendance in the
committee room when the bill was taken
up, and when it was finally acted upon
10 n a
members preferred to stand hands off.
MAI. RIVALS OPENS THE SPEAKING.
Mai. Ryals made the first address to the
committee He showed that the regis
tration has been conducted under the
supervision of the county commissioners
for twenty years and that it has always
been satisfactorily done. He claimed that
large majority of the best people in
Savannah were opposed to any change,
and especially if the books were to be
opened during the months of June, July
and August, when large proportion Of the
substantial citizens are away and conse-
quently would be deprived Of
the opportunity to register. An
was reasonable to suppose that the judg-
ment and integrity Of five men was safer
than one mans mind though he paid a
high tribute TO the present occupant of
the ordinary's office. aMai. Ryals referred
to the act passed a year ago making the
county commissioners elective. This act
was originated by the present represen-
tatives, and he thought it rather incon-
sistent that they should now turn upon
the men elected by the people and at
least indirectly call into question their
capability and integrity.
MR.. sAUssY's ARGUMENT.
County Attorney Saussy made a strong
argument, covering pretty much the same
points as Maj. Ryals lie had every con-
fidence in the ordinary, but thought he
already has enough TO do. and opposed
bringing his Office into politics, as would
be the result of making him registrar.
In reference to the time of registration
proposed by the bill, he said that while
many good citizens were away during
June, July and August there was a large
element at home at that time very sus-
ceptible subjects for registration, and
whose votes would kill the real voice Of
the conservative citizens. He also made
a point on the section Of the bill
making tax receipts for the year
preceding the year of registration prima
facie evidence that all taxes mad
been paid, by showing that this would
open the way to the worst sort Of corrup-
tion in elections.
Gen. McGlashan's argument had visi-
BILE effect upon the committee He was
aafiaaod that fher.a was M daefra for a