The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-07
A LET UP IN ABSENTEEISM.
MORE MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE
THAN ON Previous MONDAYS.


on the Convict BuI-The Measure
10 60 on Its Passage To-day.
Atlanta. Ca. Dec. 6-When the House
met this morning 70 enter upon the forty
first day OF the ffty-day session the at
tendance was better than on any previous
Monday
Heretofore Monday mornings have been
characterized b. empty seats. To-day
there were comparatively few OF the
statesmen absent
Speaker jenkins roasting" last week
had its effect 1t not only brought many
Of the sluggards back 10 business, but
made them feel ashamed Of their records
for attendance. This feeling of shame at
the neglect Of public duty that commonly
Characterized the House last week caused
some Of the penitents TO enter their ex-
cuses before the bar of the House. Some
o. them were mad because their reasons
had been printed in the newspapers and
the newspaper reporters were trotted 0ut
a. scspegoats for the delinquent states
men. They declared, with righteous IN
dignation, that the publication of the lisr
Of absentees OF last Saturday was Il
wants. The newspaper reporters, Of course.
could DO nothing out listen 70 the abuse
OF the sore-head members on the floor,
but with the help Of the speaker they
will keep tab on them till the close OF
tie session. posting the absentees for tie
benefit Of their constituents and the pub
lie IL cost the state just 500 this morn
ing to hear the protests and excuses OF
the absentecs. Some Of them said they
had leave TO ne on. while others stated
they were away on committee business.
Mr. AWtery of Cobb tried 70 pour oil on
the troubled waters by offering a resolU-
ton providing That ali members VINO
have been absent without leave be ex-
cused for past Offenses. provided they
won't 90 It any more. But this only add
ed 10 the ire Of the riled ones, who de
clared they didn't have to ask for forgive
ness. and it was dropped.
After disposing Of the absentees the
House concurred in the Senate invitation
20 Col. Tom Watson, but fixed the time
for his address for Wednesday night in
stead Of tonight, because of his indispo-
Eition.
The convict bill then came up as a spec
bal order and il occupied the balance Of
the day, the House working upon it IN
committee OF the whole
Mr.. Hogan of Lincoln, pop, offered his
ball providing for the penal island colony
made few remarks, declaring that it was
the sentiment of the people that there
should not be another lease and referred
to the pledges Of reform given by the dem
ocTats in the last campaign. A vote was
quickly ordered and the Hogan substi-
tute was knocked out OF the box without
a culver.
The most important change made In the
committee bill was the adoption of the
motion by Mr.. Rawls Of Effingham. strik-
ing out the section giving the state super
vision Of the misdemeanor convicts Mr.
Rawls made a strong speech in support
OF his position Opponents of this change
hopes 70 have the original section rein
stated when the bill comes up on its pas
sage a the regular session OF the House
Another change in the convict bill as
agreed on by the committee Of the whole
was the addition of a clause prohibiting
sub-letting by lessees, as is practiced I'M
der the present contract. An effort was
made to cut the appropriation to $4,000,
but this failed.
The bill was finished at the afternoon
session, and viii be ready to go upon its
passage Tomorrow. having been reported
at the regular session tonight
This afternoon the House judiciary COM
mittee, amended the Hopkins bill, provid-
ing for the election of judges and solicit
tors by the people. which passed the Sen
ate last week. The amendment provides
for the election of the judges and solicit
tors by vote of the whole state at regular
elections instead of by the various circuits
acting independently. The amendment
was made for party purposes as under 1t
the democrats are sure 10 control the en-
tire judiciary, whereas under the bill az
the Senate passed it several circuits might
elect populists Senator Hopkins is will
ing to accept the change, and il is be-
lieved by the friends of the bill that 1t win
now be passed in the House No flibus-
tering tactics were resorted to this morn
ing to prevent the progress on the bill as
was the case Saturday, which is regarded
as a favorable indication.
The first of the Blalock retrenchment
bills got a Knockout blow in the Senate
committee this afternoon. 1t was the bin
cutting in half the pay of the oil inspec-
tors at Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta and
Macon The bill, which il appeared from
his speech before the Senate committee
this afternoon, was drawn up largely 10
serve personal turn for Representative
Blaiook. passed the House without opposi-
ton. In the Senate committee it got only
two votes from populist members. six dem
ocrats opposing IL. The Senate does not
appeared to be at all favorably inclined to-
ward the Blalock committee. and when
the bill to pay the expenses of that body
comes to the upper house there is sure
to be fun over it,
The Berner state bank bill was taken up
this morning in the Senate and discussed
for awhile, but finally went over until to-
morrow for consideration as a special or
der. There is good deal of opposition to
the measure and small chance of il ever
becoming a law, though Mr. Berner will
press It, and thus bring about the explos-
ion of vast amount of financial gas.
The Senate passed the Calvin bill author
Tizing INDECENT confederate soldiers 10 do
business without a license. The bill by
Mr. Hin of Troup county prohibiting
drummers for liquor from taking
orders in dry counties, was also passed
without dissent, and is now ready for the
governors signature.
The Senate concurred in the House res
olution providing for the use by the state
treasurer of other funds to meet the pay
roll Of the school teachers quarterly.
Senator Hopkins introduced a bin pro-
Niding for the election Of the county COM
missioner of Thomas county by the people,
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