The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-29
PROTECTION FOR THE 'PoSSUM
THE M'COOK BILL FINALLY GETS
THROUGH THE HOUSE.

Hon. Pope Brown Intervenes In the
,Possun's BehGIf-Bin Providing
Bonds For building and Loan Con-
Germs l. Dealt "A Death BIow-The
Convict Question the AII-Impor-
tant Measure-A Defect in the one
Recommended by the Joint Com
unfttee-Proceeds From the sale of
the MiIIedEeviIIe Property Must
BE- Applied 70 the Public Debt and
Nothing Else.
Atlanta Ca. oct $40 important leg
Islation was enacted II either branch %
the assembly to-day, unless the passage OF
the McCook bill % protect the festive pos
sun could b. cla-zei as matter Of pubic
concern. When this bil was introduced
ft was the standing joke o. the last ses-
giou. and al orc tine was the cause Of
some very lively ard picturesque hAous-
terlng 10 save 10 from everlasting oblivion
It was averted. however. and came bob
hing up serenely at the TOD Of the cslen-
DIR ln the House this morning Ar. Nc
COOK, the patrlarcnal member from De
caur, made q few 'possIm remarks 10
his fellow members and icing ably Sec
on1ed By Hon. Pope Brown. president Of
the State Agricultural Society, ana embry-
onic candidate for governor. the famous
bill won out with only fifteen woes against
It.
The measure IS intended 70 protect the
euccuIeut 'possum from the rspacious hun
ter al the mating season 3Ir- Brown de-
clared in no uncertain tones taat IL was
good bill 10 pass. ana 1t may be That ne
viii make ms championship OF IL count
for votes when he goes out upon the
stump 10 talk for the goyeruorship next
year.
TIE most important work IN both Sen
ate ana House was in killing and side
tracking legislation. The Senate dealt
death bIoz % the ulI requiring building
and loan associations, bond and mortgage
companies, and similar concerns. TO depos-
il Szs.g10 in bonds with the state treasurer.
In the House there was debate over the
iii BY Dir. Fel5er of Fulton, providing
that bond for tite, interests OF equities ia
real estate may be levied upon. The bill
was fsycrably reported by the general ju-
dietary committee and 8lr. Fielder demand
Cd that il ~ passed. but there was 50
much opposition 20 L being placed upon
me statute hooks until a bill IS first past
requiring bonds for title 10 be recorded
that il was sent back 70 the committee.
ii the last session q bin requiring that
bonds for ute sn1 transfers be recorded.
the same as deeds and mortgages passed
TIRE House. but was lost In the Senate A
repoTt vii be made 70 have another such
measure passed this session.
The House passed the bin prohibiting the
reporters Of TIE supreme court from prac-
ticing law. also the bill prohibiting a judge
q the superior court from appointing as
Official stenOgrapher the stenOgrapher Of
another circuit. In support Of this blll IL
was declared By Mr. Edwards Of Harral-
con, the author, that during the contest
Of 3udgeshIps last session, propositions had
been made 70 farm out these positions in
the interest Of candidates, and his bill Is
designed 10 prevent this In future.
There were number Of local bills intro
duced and read the first time in the House,
and some Of minor general Importance. It
appears that the convict question
bangs Ike a cloud over the leglsla-
tive hall, and until IL is settled, the minds
OF members viii not be In condition 10 do
much else than discuss and think over it.
To-day Mr. Han, chairman Of the House
penitentisry committee reported the bill
which was agreed to on Tuesday, and 1t
viii soon be pushed forward to a third
reading. Then the ernasculation will be-
gin. To-day a rather curious fact in con-
nection with the committees bill came TO
light. one Of the provisions In 1t is that
the property of the state near Milledge-
vile may be sold and the proceeds used
70 purchase q farm more suitable for the
conVicts 10 work upon. 1t now appears
that the committee did not stop to think
that II this property is sold the proceeds,
under constitutional provision, cannot be
applied to anything else than the public
debt; SO this clause at least will have to
be stricken out.