The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-16
CONVICT FIGHT NOT CLOSED.
SENATE PASSES THE BILL WITH ITS
ITS AMENDMENTS.

Measure Sent Over to the House and
to BE Taken Up by That Body To-
dny-One of the Senate's Amend
ments Sure to Meet with stubborn
ObjectiOn-Senate Votes $500 to
Buy "a Portrait of the Late Speaker
Crisp-Day in the House Dull and
UnintcreStinE.
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 15.-The Senate pass
ed the convict bill this morning and i'm
mediately sent 1t over to the House for
concurrence in the amendment put upon
it. Last night when the senators decided
to knock off there was but one little Sec
ton left TO be passed under the rule pro-
viding for adoption by sections, and then
the passage of the bill as a whole. This
morning this was promptly done, and the
measure put upon its passage. 1t receiv-
ed thirty-three votes and the seven popu-
lists voted against it, As already stated
the Senate accepted the bill practically as
it came from the committee, the only al
iteration in addition being to increase the
salary Of the clerk TO the penitentiary
commission from 81 COZ to 1920 The ac-
ceptance of the committee work was not,
however, due 10 failure to make an effort
to change it, for there were many changes
proposed but il was because the senators,
or majority of them, felt that the COM
mttee bill was the best that could be
built up on the frame work sent over by
the House.
The convict bill was not taken up by the
House to-day for concurrence in the SEN
ate amendments. 1t will be reached to-
morrow morning at Il o'clock, and from
present Indications there will be a warm
fight over the amendment to see which
lets down the bars to the employment of
the convicts in any kind of work. Messrs.
togarty, Fielder and West will lead the
fight, insisting upon restricting the en-
ployment so as to eliminate factories,
foundries. etc
After disposing of the convict bill the
Senate proceeded to grind out a lot Of
new laws of more or less unmportant
nature. There was little disagreement
over the House resolution to appropriate
$500 to buy portrait of the late Charles
F. Crisp, Senator Carter opposing it on
the grounds that a good enough picture
could be had for $3.50, but it was finally
passed. Senator Gray and others took ad-
vantage of the occasion 10 deliver shorl
eulogies on the life and character of
Judge Crisp.
The day session OF the House was dull
and undressing, except for the enjoy
ment manifested over the speech of Mr.
Mcdaniel of Fannin. He has a striking.
ly peculiar style of delivery, and willis
he was on his feet the House was in an
uproar The bill that caused Mr. Nc
Daniel to enter the debate was Senator
walkers, providing that a militia district
adopting the fence law shall erect fences
Ii was killed, despite the effort of the
member from Fannin to save it.
The House had debate over the Berner
bill to elect the trustees of the State Uni
versity by the people, and finally killed it.
1t was made the basis for another con-
test between the university and anti-uni-
Versity factions, and, as heretofore, the
university champions won, to the discom-
future of Mr.. Blalock and his followers.
Mr. Blalock opened the argument in ia
Vor of the bill, and was followed by Mr..
Boynton of Spalding. Mr. Blalock criti-
cised the management of the university,
and insisted that the people should have a
hand in it by electing the trustees.
MIR. Slaton of Fulton replied in defense
of the university. He began by saying:
10 see the gentleman from Spalding and
the gentleman from Fayette advocating
the passage of this measure is warning
to the friends of the university" He de-
ilASu tAE CldiH tndl Ine Dill was being urg-
ed in the interest of the people He said
1t was rather in the interests of the poll
ticians.
MIR. DiclIerson interrupted by asking if
there were no politicians on the present
board and Mr.. Slaton replied by calling
the names of some of the best known
members and asking if they were not ca
pable and had not performed their duties
well. He referred to Mr. Blalock as hay
ing made charge of msmanagement, and
was interrupted by that gentleman, who
said he had been misquoted. He said he
had made no charge against any member
of the board. There was a lively passage
of words between these two senator's on
these points. and then Mr.. Slaton referred
to the recent occasion when the trustees
of the university addressed the general as
sembly. He called attention to the fact
that on that occasion, when the privilege
had been conferred, no question had been
put to the trustees.
Mr.. Little of Muscogee and Mr.. Meldrim
of Chatham also spoke in defense of the
present board of trustees, and urged the
passage of the substitute.
No important measures were considered
at the afternoon session of either House.
and tonight the attendance was so slim
that the House remained in session but a
short while and the Senate devoted itself
10 local bills