The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-19
PARTRIDGE KEEPS THE SEAT.
THE SENATE OF FLORIDA VOTES
AGAINST FLETCHER.


Messrs. Hartridge and Fletcher
Each Given n HearinE-The Better
Part of the Days Session Devoted
10 the COntest-SeveraI New Bills
Introduced.
Tallahassee. Fla. April lS-The feature
of the day has been the continuance OF
the hearing in the Fletcher Hartridge
case, which was characterized by con-
siderable excitement. a report in this
case was rendered last Monday by the
Senate committee on privileges and elec-
lions, In which the one thousand pages of
printed testimony taken before the clerk
in Jacksonville was reviewed. The evil
dence showed that on the face of the re-
turns. Mr.. Hartridge, in nineteen out OF
Duval countys twenty-four precincts. re-
ceived $50 votes and Mr.. Fletcher SIG In
five precincts no election was held owing
to the presence Of deputy sherifs.
The report describes the allegations
OF the contestant as based upon rumor
and heresay. and concludes with a resolu-
ton to the effect that Mr.. Hartridge was
duly elected from the Eighteenth district.
AS Mr. Fletcher had not been before the
committee, this resolution was last Mon
port to-day. which was done this morn
ing The report was 10 the effect that
the contestant had been before the COM
mittee. but had introduced no new evil
dence but had dwelt upon the law in the
case: and concluded by again introduce
ing the resolution. whose adoption was
moved by Mr. Dougherty.
Mr. williamson offered an amendment
H. go 10.
the Senate upon the resolution, which was
adopted. Mr.. Fletcher. who is Jackson
ville's popular mayor. advanced TO the
clerks table and spoke with his usual
force and directness. dealing not only
with the law, but with certain Of the facts
in the case. He declared that 1900 cleo
tors in his county had been disfranchised
by the methods Of the dominant faction,
and cited authorities in support Of his
position that the election should be de-
clared null and void. since no man could
say for whom the electors in question
would have voted, but he claimed that
these votes would have changed the re-
suit.
AT noon It was moved that the Senate
20 into executive session under the rules,
but on motion the debate on the resolu-
tion was continued until the adjourn
ment to $3.50 D. m.
opened by Mr.. Palmer OF the Fourteenth
district who spoke at great length and
with greater force against the adoption
OF the resolution.
Mr.. Williamson also spoke in opposition.
characterizing the election as the greatest
steal since the Louisiana returning board.
sMessrs. Hicks and Reeves spoke for the
resolution and the long debate was closed
by Mr.. Hartridge who reviewed the history
of the case and declared there had not been
as alleged any violation Of the secrecy of
n n nl nr Hhnn ffras
vote was taken. 1t stood 26 to for the
resolution with two excused and one alb
sent Senate
The Senate chamber was packed to the
doors and when Mr.. Hartridge closed, the
scene was dramatic.
In the election last October the Demo-
cratic party in Duval county was split
into two factions-the regulars and re-
formers. Mr.. Hartridge was the candi-
date Of the regulars for the Senate, and
Mr.. Fletcher OF the reformers. The regu-
lars had control OF the machinery and
named all the inspectors of elections from
their faction. The reformers claimed that
fraud was intended and placed armed
men In the polling booths TO watch the
inspectors. Thereupon the inspectors
closed the polls In four of the most popu-
lous wards of Jacksonville and no election
was held. riot was nearly provoked
and the governor ordered the militia I'M
der arms. Mr.. Hartridge received a ma
Jority Of the votes cast in the wards where
an election was held and was given GER
tihcate as senator. Mr. Fletcher contest
ed. claiming that the closing of the polls
IN the four wards invalidated the cleo
tons. The Senate, by its vote refused to
sustain this contention and declared the
election legal, in spite of the fact that fully
$500 voters were disfranchised by the clos
Ing of the polls in the four wards.
The routine business Of the Senate com
prlsed the Introduction of the following
new bills:
One by Mr.. Chipley providing for an is
sue OF bonds in exchange for state bonds
belonging to the school, seminary and
sinking funds.
To amend the school law.
To amend the statute relating to as
eignments for the benefit of creditors.
To amend the statute providing for the
payment OF fees IN cases Of garnishment
and another for the relief of citizens of
Holmes county convicted of alleged trea-
son, in assaulting revenue officers.
The last bill was rapidly shelved on third
reading.
The committee 81 privileges and cleo
tons also reported the examination of
I'VE bills affecting. the election laws, and
hnding 1t impossible to harmonic them
the committee had framed a substitute. 1t
was moved to lay the bills on the table
and print 200 copies OF the substitute
which may come up tomorrow.
In the House but one session was held
much of which was consumed by the lie
bate on the Gaskins bill for the incorpora-
ton of the Farmers Mutual Fire lnsur-
ance Company. The bill was on third
reading and finally passed by vote of
10 to ~, but not without strong OPPOSE
ton, which was largely based upon that
provision of the bill relating to waving
OF homestead exemption of stockholders
Mr.. Gaskns made a strong plea for his
measure, which was passed by a vote of
40 to u.
Other bills passed were:
One defining what cities shall impound
hogs. an important question in this state
of boom towns
One giving the Tampa suburban rail-
way the right to condemn property be-
tween Tampa and Ballast Point.
One regulating the taking of fish in
Florida waters, on which notice of a
motion for reconsideration was given
One amending the law in relation to the
cancellation of mortgages and liens.
A resolution declaring memorial day
a legal holiday was adopted. as was
another calling upon the board of internal
Improvement to furnish q statement as
30 how much land had been decided to the
East Coast Canal Company.
The conference committee on the dis
puted point in the fine and forfeiture
fund.- bill reported that the question of
feeding prisoners had been compromised
by fixing the allowance at a maximum
OF 30 cents per day.
Bills regulating the carrying of con-
cealed weapons and the sale of patent
medicines were adversely reported.
Among the more important bills intro
duced were:
One to provide for the analyzing of fer
tilizers and to exact license for their
sale
AN act relating To the esta bIishr,ent