The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-18
COLLINS UNDER DARK CLOUDS.
FIRST STEPS TAKEN IN IMPEACH-
MENT PROCEEDINGS.

ing the Treasurer's impeachment
for High Crimes and Misdemean-
Ors and MaIfeasance I'm Otiice-A
Committee of Seven Provided for
to Prepare Articles of Impeach-
ment-The Resolution Adopted by
Unanimous Vote.
Tallahassee, Fla. May 17.-As antici-
pated, impeachment proceedings against
Clarence 3. Collins, state treasurer, were
started in the House this morning.
The matter was taken up by Mr.. Full
ton, who introduced a resolution of i'm
parchment, which was afterwards with
drawn in favor of one by Mr.. Harris of
Key West. which. after an hours debate,
was unanimously adopted.
The Harris resolution declares that
Treasurer Collins be impeached for high
crimes and msdemeanors and malfeas-
ance in office, and provides for a commit
tee Of seven to prepare articles or i'm
parchment and to report to the House
and conduct proceedings at the bar of the
Senate.
There is evidently disposition in GER
tain quarters to delay the movement for
the state treasurer impeachment, but the
temper of the House and the state of pub
lie opinion is such that it will hardly be
safe for any member to take an active part
in any dilatory tactics.
The fact that the Harris resolution con-
tanned the word Senate in one pace in
stead of House" gave the opposition an
opportunity to fight the adoption of the
measure, which was finally so amended
as to correct the error.
Mr. Stockton deprecated haste and NOV
ed TO defer action and make the matter the
special order for 10 o'clock Wednesday
morning, which motion was aft
erward withdrawn The Jackson
vile banker disavowed any sympathy with
MI Collins and said he was
amply protected by the latters letter,
which had been read in evidence during
the discussion of the investigating COM
mlttee's report. He could see no reason
Tor haste and referred to Mr. Harris ref
erence to the Stearnes-R Reed Impeachment
proceeding Is republican and not demo-
cratic precedent. He also alluded to the
member from Key West as one, who
would prosecute rather than prosecute Mr..
Collins, remark which drew from Mr..
Harris an indignant rejoinder.
Mr.. Morgan of Hamilton, Mr.. Morgan
OF Putnam, and Mr.. Heot deprecated
haste, while Messrs. Harris, Zewadski.
owens and Fulton spoke in favor of the
resolution, the latter declaring that the
eyes of the people were on the legislature.
and that they would brook no delay The
vote on the adoption of the resolution was
yeas AZ; nays, O.
The speaker named as the committee I'M
der the resolution: Messrs. Sloan, Hen
dry of Lee, Harris, Wall of Putnam, Rice.
Young and Fulton. Articles of impeach-
ment will now be reported to the House
and adopted section by section by a two
thirds vote. They will then be presented
at the bar of the Senate, which will oper-
ate as suspension from office of the
treasurer. and make room for his success
sor ad interim.
Both houses passed the entire day in
consideration of routine business, with
the exception of the impeachment pro-
ceedings in the House
The following is the text of the resolu-
ton adopted:
Resolved, That Clarence B. Collins.
treasurer of Florida, be impeached for
high crimes and misdemeanors, incompe-
tency, malfeasance in Office and conduct
detrimental to the public good.
Resolved, further, That committee of
seven be appointed by the speaker as man.
ayers to conduct the impeachment before
the Senate. and said committee are in
structed to present to the House imme-
diately the articles of impeachment"
Based on the evidence of the recent re-
port of the joint committee, not less than
four charges will probably be preferred,
namely:
First, The loaning In violation of law,
OF money that cannot now be collected.
Second. The use of public funds in pri-
waite speculations.
Third, False reports to the executive as
to the condition of the treasury
Fourth, Actual defalcation.
The Senate passed the bill making ap-
| propriations for the funeral expenses of
Mr.. Crumpton, a deceased member from
! Levi county, and allowing his widow his
| salary for the entire term, which was i'm
| mediately certified to by the House where
it was ordered engrossed for third read
ing
In the House, Mr.. McCreary introduced
a petition asking for legislation by which
| persons giving evidence against gamblers
| may receive one-half OF the fine Imposed
The petition was signed by five citizens.
message from the governor, acting as
| president Of the board of state institu-
| tions, was received, announcing that bid
| for the state convicts for four years had
| been received from Crawford West &
! Camp, turpentine and phosphate opera
tors. This bid offered 10000 year for
| 200 convicts, said sum to be increased or
| reduced in proportion TO the number of
| convicts. The governor recommended re-
/
! olution adopted some time since no lease
! Of the convicts can be made until bids are
/ submitted to the legislature.
The House bill empowering the rail
! road commission TO regulate telegraph and
! cable rates passed its second reading, and
! will probably become law.
The Senate memorial to congress ask
ing that homesteaders In the storm dis
! trict be permitted TO purchase their lands
! at not more than % cents an acre was
| read In the House the second time and
| adopted.
An important bill. giving the Florida
| Central and Peninsular railroad right Of
eminent domain between Plant City and
| Tampa, passed its second reading in the
| House.
The House was IN session tonight and
| among other bills passed the following
measures on third reading:
For the protection of wild deer and other
| game.
Amending the act for better protection
/ OF growing crops.
Amending the act amending the revised
! statutes concerning annuities for the dlsa-
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