The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-28
SCANDAL IN A STATE SCHOOL.
THE FIRST WHISPER OF 1T GIVEN
OUT IN THE LEGISLATURE.


Appropriation-HeA Also Introduces
a Bill Putting the Election of the
sheriff and Clerk of the City Court
of Chatham County in the Hands
of the County Commissioners -
Number of Interesting Matters
Come to the Front During the
Days Session.
Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 27.--Mr. Meldrim Of
Chatham created quite little stir in the
House this morning by rising to ques-
ton of information when the bill appTo-
priating $500 to the Georgia School for
the Deaf came up for its passage. Mr..
Meldrim stated that he had heard that
there were some damaging reports in cir
culation concerning the management Of
this institution. and he wanted to hear
from the committee that was appointed
to visit it before any money was appro-
priated. He did not give any intimaton
of the character of the reports, but the
suggestion that the committee ought first
to be heard from soon had the members
busy with gossip over the expected dis
closures.
7.
The bill, explained that it was simply to
meet deficiency in last years appropria-
tion, which ran short because of the I'M
usually large number of persons attend
ing the school, and that it was not con-
templated to ask the regular appropria-
ton for the institution until after the
visiting committee had made its report.
5rfvv ha
was passed.
The companion bill to that repeating
the present act prescribing the method of
electing the clerk and sheriff of the city
court of Savannah was introduced on
"wednesday by Mr.. Medrim, but was mis-
placed on the calendar. This bill takes
the election of these officers out of the
hands of the city council and gives it
into the charge Of the board of county
commissioners of Chatham county.
Two resolutions to pay for property de-
stroyed by the sheriff of Screven county
were introduced to-day. One appropriates
$50 to Mrs. Mary V. Lane to compensate
her for a dwelling in Emanuel county,
which was burned by the sheriff of Sore
ven county in order to get at Tom Ken
drick, a fugitive from justice, who had
taken refuge in it. Kendrick was charged
with assault with intent to murder. The
other resolution was to pay William Bob
Ter of Emanuel county $3.50 for furniture
destroyed by the sheriff of Screven county
in his efforts to capture Kendrick. The
grand jury of Emanuel county recon-
mended that Boiler be paid this amount.
but the county could not do it, and so
the legislature was resorted to.
The movement in favor of fewer cleo
tons in Georgia was given another ad-
dition to-day in the House by the intro
duction of bill providing that hereaf-
ter the terms of office of all county Off
GERS shall be four years instead of two
years. This bill was offered by Mr.. Den
ham of Barlow county, and is intended
to make the terms of these officers in
keeping with the terms of the governor
and state house officers and members of
tho legislature, under the bills making
their terms four years, which were intro
duced last week. There is a general SEN
timent among the members in favor of
these changes, and it is not at all i'm
probable that they will be passed.
Mr.. Slaton of Fulton introduced a bill
regulating the fraternal insurance business
in this state which will cause interest. His
bill proposes TO put those companies I'M
der the control of the state insurance COM
missioner, to whom they must make an
annual report of all business transacted.
gust as other companies are required to do.
Mr.. Slaton introduced a bill making IL a
misdemeaner for any person to conspire to
defeat competition in bidding for public
works put out by competitive bidding The
caption of the bill is: ITO prevent fraud
in the letting of public works."
Mr.. Mansfield, of Mcintosh introduced a
bill to exempt his county from the pay
ment of state taxes for the year 1896 The
resolution set forth that a terrible cyclone
had swept over the county, carrying death
and destruction in its wake, that a vast
amount of property had been destroyed
and the people were in a condition of great
financial depression. Times had been hard
with them, and as they had been put to
great expense in repairing the damage
done by the storm they were unable with
out serious inconvenience to pay the taxes
due to the state just at present, and asked
that they be held up until next year.
Under the law now in force all the city
courts must adjourn at least five days be-
fore the beginning of a new term. A bill
by Mr.. Slaton of Fulton making this inap-
plicable to city courts holding six terms a
year was passed.
Another bill from Mr. Slaton, was passed.
It makes it misdemeanor for any one to
prevent competition in bids for work for
the state or for any counties in Georgia
A number of bills were passed by the
House this morning and a number of new
ones introduced. Among these passed were
the following:
By Mr.. Bowden of Habersham-A reso-
luton releasing the claims of the state to
the Blue Ridge and Atlantic railroad.
BY Mr.. Slaton of Fulton--To re-enact the
act Incorporating the Atlantic. Atlanta,
and Great Western Railway and Naviga-
ton Company.
BY Mr.. Dodson of Sumter-To make GER
tain the payment Of costs in civil cases. in
county courts.
By Mr.. Felker of Walton-To provide an
additional method OF collecting purchase
money notes given for personality in which
there is a reservation of title.
BY Mr.. Boyd of misunderstanding the
time for holding McDufie superior court.
Contrary to the usual custom, the SEN
ate voted to-day to hold a Saturday ses-
sion. Very little work has been accom-
plshed so far this session and the MEM
bers are beginning to realize that they
will have to stick close to business IL
they want to get their pet bills through
before adjournment.
The Senate reconsidered the bill by Mr.
Sheffield, which was lost Wednesday on
account of the slim attendance, and passed
1t. This bill requires tax collectors 10