The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-23
FLORIDA LAWMAKERS FURIOUS
SECRETARY CRAWFORD MAKES =
BREAK ABOUT 4 LOBBY.

lie Wrote -. Louis Paper That
Both branches of the Legislature
We're Controlled by "a LobI,y-The
Secretary Claims. However. That
the statement Was Not Intended
10 Apply 20 the Present LegisIa-
ture-The Work of the Dsy.
Tallahassee. Fla. April 22-The sensa-
ton of the day has been afforded by
communication from Secretary Of State
Crawford in the St. Louis POst-Dispatch
relative to depredations OF the lobby in
the Florida legislature. In view Of the
agitation in Missouri for anti-lObby legis-
lation the Post-Dispatch some time ago
sent out a circular letter TO the secretary
Of state OF every state in the union asking
II said state had enacted any such legis-
latiOn. and in a recent issue appeared
under the head of Florida the following:
Florida has not enacted a law at any
time rroviding for The restriction of
control of the lobby for the reason that
the lobby controls The Senate and House
or Representatives"
The matter having been brought TO the
notice OF the speaker of the House at the
afternoon session. a committee of three
was appointed to wait upon Secretary
Crawford who admitted having received
the letter in question and making the
above reply.
Upon the report of the committee a
howl OF Indignation went up. Messrs.
Healy and Mays made vigorous speeches,
and motion to 30 into committee of the
whole was heard above the din. 1t was
nnally decided to appoint a committee
OF seven to wait upon the Secretary of
state again and prepare a resolution to
be submitted tomorrow morning, the
matter being made special order. Sec
rotary Crawford takes the explosion very
calmly and viii prepare a statement for
the press. He thinks his reply was writ
ten before the present legislature con
vened, in which case il would MOI apply
to it.
During the regular routine of the House
the following bills were introduced at the
one enlarging the liability of suretes on
supcrsedeas.
One providing for service on non-resi-
one 20 protect fish and oysters
one fixing the boundaries Of the city
of Ocala
one revoking the present form of gov
eminent of the town of DcLand and pro-
vid.ng a city government
one to protect the credit of honest mer-
chants.
one to provide for the care Of members
Of the State Firemen's ASSOCIATION and
their burial.
The report of the trustees of the IN
ternal improvement fund was received.
showing the amount Of land decided to the
East Coast Canal Company.
Among the bills passed on third reading
were:
The bill abolishing the county court OF
Citrus county.
one Incorporating the Starke Fruit
Growers Association.
one amending the statute relative to
uSuriOus contracts.
one declaring the town of High Springs
legally Incorporated.
The afternoon session was devoted to
bills on third reading. Those passed were:
one authorizing the town of st. Pet
ersburg to levy taxes.
one forfeiting the charter of the town
of Enterprise.
one providing for teachers in summer
schools.
one requesting congress to settle the
affairs of the Freedmens Bank.
one TO protect negro teachers. This is to
prevent white and colored children from
being taught in the same school
The feature of the day in the Senate
was the Introduction OF a new charter
bill provides for popular election of the
mayor and city council, who shall choose
the board of public works, judge of the
municipal court. controller, treasurer re-
corder, etc. The bill is revolutionary and
unlikely to pass.
Other bills introduced were the follow
ing:
One prescribing the fees of county Of
ficers
One authorizing the Incorporation of the
Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
No bills were passed, but large number
were considered on second reading.