The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-03
NEW LAWS FOR FLORIDA.
The Railroad Commission Bill Passes
the House.

An Important Amendment Tackled to
the Measure by Mr.. Calhoun-The
Jacksonville Charter Bill the Subject
of Another Lively Debate in the
House.
Tallahassee, Fla, May 2.-Thc time Of
the Senate to-day was eaten up by such
routine work as bills on second reading,
committee reports and similar parliamen-
tary necessities. Two bills only were in
troduced, onc,by MIR Browne, prohibiting
wrongful combinations against working
men; and another by Mr. Williamson of
Citrus, establishing criminal court in his
county, which, under a suspension Of
the rules, was forced through to a third
reading and passed.
The resolution relative to the improve
ment of Canaveral 'harbor, ON the east
coast, was read the second time and
adopted
a message from the House was received
announcing that the bill compelling rail
roads to erect cattle guards and crossings
was passed.
The railroad commission bill was kept
on third reading that amendments might
be offered Mr. Calhoun tackled on two
of some importance. One of these pro-
vides that within ten days after the com
mission adopts a tariff any company NAV
enter IL protest in writing, and that a
hearing shall be given such company
within twenty days. Tho other is to the
erect that the commission shall have fun
power to require railroad companies to
make just schedules, reasonable rates,
etc, both Of which were adopted.
IN THE HOUSE.
The House had a grand rally this morn
ing over the Jacksonville charter bill,
which was brought up on motion of Mr.
Fletcher of Duval, 10 suspend the rules
and take up the Senate messages The
move was a shrcwd one, but was venti-
lated by the energetic and fiery Mr.. Balt-
zell whercupOn long and heated debate
occurred The motion finally prevailed
and by Mr.. Fletcher's request tho great
charter bill was read the first
time, when move was made
to carry it on without reference TO the
committee. AT one time 1t looked as if
nothing could check the efforts Of the i'm
petuous sou of Duval, but the interposi-
tion Of Senate bin No. II, a special order
! day, avertcd a catastrophe. This was
the bill creating a commission for the re
llti VI bilt SuDitllC court, WHICH Is several
years behind in its work The bill was
so bitterly contested by NAT" Walker
of Wakulla and Mr.. Wall of Putnam that
it was finally indefinitely postponed, a
! loss far greater to the state than the
$4,000 involved in the two years term OF
| the commission.
FLETCHER RENEws HIS MOTION.
| Upon the conclusion Of the wrangle
over this bill Mr. Fletcher renewed his
motion, but this time with a modification
to the effect that il be referred to the
committee and county organization, which
was done, and tho bill was made the
special order for Thursday morning.
Another move in the Duval county fac
tional fight was made this afternoon be-
fore the House committee on city and
county organization, when J. =. Talia-
fcrro, formerly chairman Of tho demo
cratic state executive committee, intro
duced new bill which is said TO follow
the lines Of the board of trade substitute.
Mr.. Taliafcrro presented the bill in a
speech charactcristically crisp and apro-
pos and, with the reception of the bill by
! Chairman Dell the committee arose
The situation in Duval county is de-
cidcdly mixed, and the war of the factions
| is likely to seriously impede much needed
legislation.
Mr.. McKay's pilotage bill was a special
order in the Senate this afternoon but
was not taken up, no session being held.
1t was not politics, but society, which
| had charms in Tallahassee as well as
elsewhere, and May party given in the
park here this afternoon by the Town
Improvement Association proved too much
for the average senator. The fight over
this bin promises to be hot. The chances
for any useful work at present seem
slender
The committee on the Weeks Martin
contest reports in the morning, when the
scat will probably be declared vacant.