The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-07
DIVORCE LAW UNDER DEBATE.
BIBLICAL FACTS USED BY BOTH
SIDES IN THE FIGHT.

Representative Mcdonald of Ware
Carries the Holy Book open in His
Hand on the Floor of the House
and Reads From It, Pages-sIr.
Giles Equally Wei Fortified With
Arguments Against the Bill From
the same Authority.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. Elm the House this
morning the bill Of Mr.. Mcdonald Of Ware
TO restrict the granting Of divorces in the
state was the special order for the day
The bill was introduced a week ago, and
had been adversely reported by the gen
eral judiciary committee, but some OF the
members Of the general judiciary commit
tee. led by Mr. Hammond Of Richmond,
submitted a minority report In its favor.
When M Mcdonald of Ware. who intro
duced the bill rose TO speak on the meas
ure. he walked toward the center Of the
House. holding in his hand an open Bible.
He Is now in his eightieth year and was
a very venerable and impressive figure.
He read frequently from the Bible in de-
tense Of his bill and made the point that
it was a good enough guide for the legis-
lators of Georgia.
Mr. Giles Of Houston followed him and
also seemed to find a good many Biblical
arguments with which to oppose the bill
Mr. Hall of Coweta, next spoke in favor
OF the BILL quoting statistics to show the
baneful effects of the present loose laws
regulating the granting Of divorces.
Mr. williams of Schley made speech
and was interrupted by a question as to
what side he was speaking on. He quick
~ replied: Il am speaking for the good
women of Georgia. 1 am speaking for di-
vorces; by wife needs "a divorce and she
ought to have a divorce"
Mr.. Hammond argued in favor Of the
passage of the bill and Mr.. jenkins of
Putnam, chairman Of the committee, OPP
posed it.
The bill was defeated by a vote of Sc
TO 81.
a bill by Mr. Polhill of Bibb to declare
the status of dogs as property. Mr. Pol
hill spoke in favor Of the measure, which
had been favorably reported by the com
mittee but II failed TO receive consu-
tutional majority and was lost. Mr.. Pol
hill gave notice that he would move TO
reconsider the action Of the House
The joint committee from the Senate
and House. which was appointed at the
last SESSION of the general assembly
TO visit the Georgia Normal and Indus
trial College at Milledgeville, sent in
their report to the House to-day 1t
was full and exhaustive, and very com.
plimentary to the management Of the
institution. They report an attendance
of over 800 last session, and recommend
the building of an additional dormitory
TO relieve the crowded condition Of the
college.
Among the new bills introduced in the
House to-day were the following:
BY Mr.. Rockwell of Chatham-To Gre
ate a board of commissioners of water
for the city of Savannah; also a bill to
create board of fire commissioners of
Bv Mr. Greer of Macon-A bill to re-
quire tax collectors to keep their offices
at the county sites, and TO remain at the
same for the purpose of collecting taxes
BY Mr. Shaw of Berrien-TO provide
for the election of county commissioners
for the county Of Berrien; also bill
to repeal an act which provides Tor the
projections Of fish in the waters OF Ber-
BY Mr.. Wright of Floyd-To prohibit
the ordinaries and commissioners OF
roads and revenues from legislat'ng on
fence" and mo fence"
BY Mr.. Stokes of Gilmer-To exempt
from taxation $50 worth of househld fur-
niture of every widow in the state OF
BY Mr.. Shaw of Berrien-To provide
for the election of county school com
missioners and a board of education for
the county of Berrien.
BY Mr.. Forgarty of Richmond-To levy
q license tax upon money lenders, where
the amount is less than fifty dollars and
hold furniture.
BY Mr. Taylor of Harris-To create a
lien for service in favor of owners Of
stations, jacks, bulls and rams.
The resolution of Senator Mercer, ask
ing for the appointment of a committee
10 sit during vacation and consider the
best means of dsposing of the convicts
after the present lease expires, and to
make their report TO the governor before
the next general assembly, was passed by
the Senate this morning.
Senator Lewis bill to amend the state
depository law was passed. 1t allows the
governor to change a depository to an
other city If he sees proper when the
original bank refuses to pay interest on
the deposit
Senator Sanford introduced a resolution
this morning which was unanimously
adopted. providing for the appointment of
a legislative committee to ascertain what
lessees are in arrears to the state for the
hire of convicts. 1t Is said that some of
the lessees are one and two years behind
in the payment of the hire for convicts.
Senator Long introduced a bill to-day
in the interest of the organization of
local insurance companies. The law now
requires a deposit of 500, 900 before they
can be chartered. This bill allows them
to hypothecate real estate to that amount
and makes 1t the duty of the insurance
commission to pass upon the value of the
property offered for this purpose.
Among the visitors extended the cour-
teses of the floor of the Senate to-day
were Hon. w. r. Leaken and wife of
Savannah and the Hon. ]. +. b. Beck
with