The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-30
POPULISTS FILE A PROTEST.
The Third Party Legislators Sore Over
the Action Of the Caucus.

They Object to the Enactment of the
Caucus Ediot Into Law and Ask Leave
of Absence During the Joint Session
to Vote on the Caucus Nominations.
Every Member of the Party in Both
HOUSES Signs the Protest.
Atlanta. Ga, Oct 29-"In behalf Of
over 100000 voters of Georgia, we respect
iully protest against being made parties
10 the enactment of a partisan caucus
edict INFO statutory law, by and through
which the judicial bench of the govern
ment may become partisan. We therefore
respectfully request leave Of absence dur
ing the Joint session Of the general as
sembly to be convened for the election OF
judges and solicitors"
This Kick of the populists in both
branches of the legislature to-day was
the cause of the first spirited clash be-
tween the two parties since the opening
or the session. The populists. every one
or whom in both house and senate. signed
the request for leave of absence, are very
sore over the position they are placed in
by the democratic caucus. They amount
to no more in shaping legislation and
elections than if they had stayed at home,
ana undertook to make a grandstand
play this morning by asking to be ex-
cused while the democrats proceeded with
the election OF the judicial candidates
put out by the caucus
In the senate the document was promptly
tabled, but In the house several of the
democratic members used II as a foot ball
Tor awhile before finally chucklng it un-
der the table
Mr. Hogan of Lincoln, the populist
roduced the request. He claimed that
there was no intention to impugn the
action of the House, when Mr. Hum
phrles of Brooks produced rule % and in
sisted that the populists were clearly out
of order
Mr. rockwell Of Chatham made a speech
which gained him a round of applause
from the democratic side. He said the
popullSts were trying to cast reelection
upon the honor Of the House. and insisted
mat they De forced to remain and to re-
spect the House.
Mr.. Holland of Cobb thought the House
would be really better off without the
presence of the populsts and wanted to
let them go, while Mr.. Nell Of Clarke said
they had better stay and do their duty to
their 100000 constituents.
Mr.. Jones of Dougherty caused a burst
of applause by a resolution that the pop
ulist members have leave of absence as
often and as long as they desired, pro-
vided that their per diem be deducted
from their pay as long as they were not
present to attend to their business.
Finally the House laid the request on
the table. but the populists had their re-
venge They sat in their seats all during
the session, seemingly oblivious of the
fact that there was election going
on about them. When their names were
called they remained as silent as a lot
Of little sphinx. They wouldn't vote for
a single one of the candidates
The elections were only partially COM
pleted to-day. Very little interest was at
tached to the baloting, as it was merely
a formality, in view Of the caucus nomi-
nations.
Judge Simmons who was chosen chief
justice for the remaining four years of
Chief Justice Beckiey's term, and Judge
Spencer Atkinson, who was chosen to
succeed Judge Simmons as associate JUS
tice for the full term, were both sworn
In shortly after the election, and to-mor-
row viii sit on the supreme bench. Judge
Atkinson will shortly remove his family
from Brunswick to Atlanta.
Senator Nathaniel Harris placed the
name Of Judge Simmons in nomination,
and Senator Nelson nominated Judge At
kinson. Under the rules adopted no sec
onds were allowed
Some old issues were revived in the
house this morning. Mr.. Harrison of
Quitman introduced a bill TO establish q
reformatory prison for juvenile offenders
in Georgia. The bill provides for the ap-
pointment of a commission, and for the
purchase Of a farm on which the youthful
criminals of the state can be reformed.
Mr.. Bailey Of Spalding introduced bill
to increase the number of supreme court
judges from three to five, the amendment
to the constitution necessary to make the
increase to be voted on in the January
election. 1t is practically the same bill
recently sent to its grave by the rejec-
ton Of the constitutional amendment for
which II provided.
Mr.. Wilson Of Clay introduced a bill for
summer sessions OF the legislature.
A number Of local bills were introduced
to-day in both houses.