The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-12
LAWMAEING IN FLORIDA.
The Great Battle Over the Railroad
Commission.

Senator Fred Myers Arises to a Ques-
tion of Privilege-A Substitute
Adopted for the Committee Report
in the .Weeks-Martin Contest-The
Day Not Enlivened by EXCITING In.
cidents.
Tallahassee, Fla, May l1.-Although
the great railroad commission question
was practically settled yesterday, echoes
of the legislative battle continue to echo
family through the Senate chamberl
This morning Senator Fred Myers arose
to question of privilege induced by the
assertion in yesterdays great debate by
st. Clair-Abrams that the application OF
the five minutes rule had two
years ago shut off debate on Mr.,
Clark's bill repeating the railroad
commission. The point, which if correct
spoiled the effect of Mr.. Myers state-
ment, that then as now he had occupied
an attitude of attention, but had not
heard on either occasion anything TO
change his opinion. To this point the
senator addressed himself 10 seems clear
that though the five minutes rule was
applied on third reading of the bill, the
motion to indefinitely postpone on second
reading gave ample opportunity for dis
cussion that on one occasion at least the
rule was waived or ignored. The merits
of the bill are at all events well enough
understood now TO insure its speedy de-
mise.
The event of the day in the Senate was
the long deferred action on the report OF
the committee on the Weeks-Martin con-
test. 1t was something of Il surprise TO
those not In the secret. Senator Browne
moved the adoption of the minority report,
which virtually declared both seats va
can't and rendered necessary new cleo
tion.
Mr.. Borden offered the following substi-
tute:
That the case be recommitted with in
structionS 20 the committee that would In
sure the seating OF an energetic third partyite.
This substitute was adopted by ma
1orlty that not only proved n disappoint-
ment to Mr.. Martins friends, but that
there are in the Senate moro democrats
who wish Mr.. Weeks to retain his seat
than would vote openly In that direction,
NEW BILLS.
Several bills were introduced. One pro-
vided for analysis of water from water
works, and provided for forfeiture Of
privileges in cas- of a defective supply.
The railroads were again touched up BY
the introduction of a bill to prevent dis
crimination i'll carrying passengers and
freights
The resolution from the State Press As
sociation was read, urging an appropria-
tion to the worlds fair.
The House this morning devoted itself
to bills on third reading, with an unusual
amount Of eloqueuce thrown in. Three
important bills got through alive one
being that prescribing compensation for
jurors, another that reducing the mileage
of sheriffs from 10 to cents milo, which
was lost yesterday, but reconsidered to-
day, on motion Of Mr.. Vaughan, who of
fered an amendment TO the effect that
when serving processes in cases the sher-
itfs should receive 10 cents each way for
the first prisoner and cents for any in
addition This amendment carried the
bill through penalty being also added
by MIR. Clarke.
The third bill was the one fixing the
compensation of sheriffs for feeding pris-
oners, over which long wrangle ensued,
IN which several members revealed sur
prising stories of unsuspected hnowl-
edge. The bill as amended was finally
passed, fixing the rate at 81 cents for five
prisoners and IS for all over.
Both houses held afternoon sessions,
which were consumed in routine work
A banquet was given tonight at the
Leon hotel to Floridas congressional dele
cation. 1t presented an animated scene.
The long tables in the great hall of the
hotel was crowded, but owing to various
reasons the only representative present
was Senator Call. Senator Browne, who
is the toaStmaster, proposed the state adj
ministratlon, which was drunk standing
Gov. Mitchell was unavoidably absent, as
indeed were number of other prominent
democrats.
The State Press Association sailed forth
this morning for Chicago in three special