The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-29

tiles ordered an election for representa-
tives to the general assembly, and VIII
liam Maxwell, among others, was chosen
member from Chatham county The
Legislature met on jan Z, 1888, IN the city
of Savannah. At that time the consl-
tuition of III was the supreme law or
the state, in which ii was declared THAI
mem Ders Of the general assembly should
be chosen from the inhabitants OF the
respective counties composing the state,
VINO must have resided at least twelve
months in Georgia, and three months ih
the counties from which they were sever
ally elected When the House met the
question of eligibility under that article
was raised and discussed, and on taking
the vote it was found that majority OF
the representatives were of the opinion
that his confinement within the enemys
lines for more than two years made him
ineligible, as his residence during THAI
time was beyond the limits then recog-
nized by the Georgia government as the
boundaries of the state, and his seat
therefore declared vacant. Other MEM
bers were included in this decision. III
the case of the Hon. William Houstoun
the following record was made: THE spe-
ear committee appointed TO consult on
the eligibility Of William Houstoun, ESD,
beg leave to refer it back to a committee
Of the whole House, not being compe-
tent to determine how far the British
lines extended when he retired from
them. As the same legislature elected
Mr.. Houstoun representative TO the con-
tinental congress, ii is evident that the
committee of the whole House declared
him eligible to his seat in the legislature,
and here. let i be said to his credit THAI
when Mr.. Nathaniel Adams, another
members elected to represent Chatham
county in that body, rendered his resig-
nation before the question of eligibility
was settled, because, as he SAID, II find
that a question is likely TO rise in the
House respecting eligibility to serve as a
member. which may divert the attention
of the House from more important OBJ
Jects. Mr.. Houstoun voted not to accept
the resignation; but his vote was of no
aVail-the resignation of Mr.. Adams was
accepted, the call for "A division showing
~ IN favor to u contra. When the cleo
ton for representatives to the next SEES
sion of the legislature was held Cant
william Maxwell was again hon
he was chosen second fine
TO represent his county in the House:
put, smarting under what he consid-
cred an unjust and Illegal decision and
preferring not to place himself in the
unpleasant attitude Of serving in an as
sembly composed for the most part of
persons who had voted against his adj
MISSION IN the preceding session, he re-
FUSED toeserVe, and another election was
held when new representative was
CHOSEN IN the place of William Maxwell
ing his seat
Capt Maxwell married on Dec. 20. 1868.
constant Butler of South Carolina and
their numerous descendants are mostly
to be found in Georgia and Florida
though many of them live in other states,
some residing even in far off California
he died at Belfast. Bryan county. on
Dec. q, 1907, and his widow survived
MIN Tor many years. Some estimate Of
his private character may be gathered
from the following expressions used in
short obituary notice printed shortly
after his death: His bosom was the
dwelling of sympathy and humanity
claimed him as one of her favorite chill
dren;" The tenor of his life was truly
righteous" His home was the abode
of hospitality;" "Cheerfulness was hss
uniform companion" William Harden