The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-01
GREAT VICTORY FOR GEIeER.
SAVANNAH SACRIFICED FOR SENA-
TORIAL COURTESY.

The Anti-COmmisSiOn Bills Meet tho
Adverse Fate Which Was Expect
ed For Them-Thc Foes of the Com
missions Going to Garry the War
Into the Senatorial Fight at the
Next EIectiOn-The Bill For Flee
ton of Trustees of the University
by the People Passed.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. S0,-The bills abolish
ing the Savannah commissions met an adj
verse fate in the Senate this morning
without an effort being put forth to save
them Senatorial courtesy was stronger
than argument or protest by the munich
pal authorities of the city affected, ana
the friends of the bill realized thatit was
a hopeless task to attempt TO save them
If Savannah wants the commissions
abolished, and this is not doubted 10y even
those who refused to support the repeal
ing bills in the upper house she will have
to make sure of the First district sena-
tor as well as the delegation in the House.
Taking the present action as a precedent,
no kind of legislation that could be pro-
posed would be refused a solid delegation,
The municipality.
There is no doubt that a determined
effort will be made by the Liberals 10 Sc
cure both the representatives and the
senator in the next legislature. That is
unless there is a decided change of senu-
ment and the political factions get closer
together for the purpose of harmonizing
municipal affairs.
All the representatives and Liberals
who came here to try to pass the repeal
ing bills through the Senate declare that
they will continue the fight. Mayor Mel
drm says it has just begun The defeat
of the repeating bills has had the
effect of making the Liberal lead
ers more determined than ever and
at this distance it looks as if Savannah
is destined to have more political lighting
than ever over the commissions
The Citizens Club people are very happy
over the result. The delegation that has
been here lobbying against the bills will
return home tomorrow in high spirits.
Senator Geiger of course, feels that he
has done the correct thing and con-
siders the courtesy of the Senate in al
most unanimously refusing to pass the
commission bills as a vindication of his
ishing the water commission, the tax re-
ceiver's board and the fire and police COM
missions that were reported in the Senate
and killed to-day, il is accepted as a fore
gone conclusion that the public works COM
missioner bill will take the same course.
No effort will be made to pass it. and in
fact it may never be heard from again
this session in view of the many other
important matters pressing for attention.
The Senate did a good deal to-day be-
sides administering the death blow TO
the Savannah bills. 1t passed the bill by
President Berner providing for the cleo
ton of the trustees of the state university
by the people at the regular state cleo
ton every two years. The bill met with
considerable opposition, however, and was
not passed until Mr.. Berner came down
from the chair and made a Wig
orus appeal Tor d.. some OF
the politicians regard the bill as a move
on the political chess board by Mr.. Ber
ner. who expects that it win strengthen
him in his contemplated candidacy for the
eovernorship. He said his purpose was to
help the university by making the people
take a direct interest in IL and pOOh-poohed
the idea that it would get the institution
into politics. In fact. he said. il is now in
politics, live wire too and he simply
wanted the people to have chance to
control the politics of 1T.
The bill was unfavorably reported, but
this was disagreed to on call of the yeas
and nays, and the bill passed by a vote of
Is to 49, The bill provides that two trus-
tees from each congressional district shall
be elected, and ten from the state at
large these when elected to draw lots
and half of them to serve two years and
half for four. The committee returned the
bill with an amendment, making the num-
Der of trustees 26, instead of 30, and an
other saying that the measure was in no
40
so by virtue of their office. These amend
ments were adopted.
Senators Battle and Turner had little
spat over the resolution extending the
use of the capitol to the confed-
crate veterans at their approaching
reunion, but it was finally passed.
Mr. Battle, though not opposed to 1t,
wanted to know if such an invitation was
not against the law, as an act was passed
two years ago limiting the use to which
the capitol might be put.
Senator Turner grew very patriotic in de-
tense of the resolution and intimated that
Mr. Battle was not patriotic, which the
latter vehementy denied.
The bill by Senator Conner giving the
railroad commission jurisdiction over the
power of sleeping car companies was kill
ed upon an adverse committee report.
Among the local bills passed was one
prohibiting the manufacture or sale of liq-
uors in Harris county after Jan. l, 1885,
and authorizing Waycross TO issue 5000
bonds to build sewers and meet its floating
debt