The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-28
THE MILL BEGINS TO GRIND.
THE LEGISLATURE OPENS WITH A
LIVELY SCENE.

at IOgnnsviIle-The House Passes
Them over the Report of the Cont-
mIttce-SpcaEer jenkins Address
Construed as Giving Gov. Atkinson
Rnp-Mnyor MeIdrim and Mrs.
She Receiving an Ovntion--A Flood
of New Bills Introduced.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 97.-The annual ses-
sion Of the legislature, which began to-
day, opened mp with a very lively scene
over a set of resolutions condemning Press
ident Mckinley for the appointment Of
Lotion, the negro postmaster at Hogans-
vile, who was waylaid and shot several
weeks ago. This resolution was introduce
ed in the House Immediately after It was
called to order by Speaker jenkins, and
the roll had been sounded by MIR. Hall OF
Coweta county. BY the irony OF fate the
resolution was referred to the committee
on the state of the republic, which has
nine popuiists, two republicans and four
democrats and their committee reported
it adversely. but the House turned the
report down, and passed the condemnation
document with a whoop.
Here Is the resolution In full. It will
doubtless form the text for lot of Sec
tlonal recrlminatlons In the northern press
before the last Is heard of IT.
Whereas, In no other section of the
United States would the President make,
or permit to be made, an appointment of
like character; on the Pacific slope the
President would not dare appoint, as post
master of any town, chlnaman over
tho protest of 30 per cent. of it's property
owners and responsible citizens. nor would
he dare in any town in the north or east,
appoint to a local office one who was ops
posed by 80 per cent. of the best people
of the locality; and,
Whereas, on the night of Sept. 16, 1897.
unknown parties are said TO have shot
and attempted to kin the said appoitee,
therefore,
Resolved, by the House OF Representa-.
uves of the general assembly of the state
Of Georgia, That II said attempt TO shoot
said appontee be true which we disbe-
lieve, then we condemn in unmeasured
terms the lawless conduct Of the would-be
assassin.
Resolved, That we deplore this and
similar appointments as exhibitions of
petty spite and narrow sectional hate un-
worthy the high Office Of chief magistrate
of this great nation.
public opinion to enter its powerful pro-
test against presidential appointments to
Office for the manifest purpose of affront-
ing and humilating community Of
American citizens for no other reason than
a difference III party affiliations"
Mr.. Hall made a fiery speech In support
of the resolution, and Mr.. Hill of Troup
county declared the people down there did
not believe Lotion was ever shot at all,
but that he inflicted his wounds himself
to create sympathy and stop the boycott
on his office
Others also expressed themselves both
for and against the resolutions.
Gov Atkinsons message was transmit
ted to both houses and read and upon
the call for new matter, there was food
OF general and local bills in
the House Among these were
one by Mr. Fogarty of Richmond
to cut the school appropriation for 1898
TO 100000 from $l0O0,0O0 and another by
Thomas of Clarke to admit white girls
into the University of Georgia.
Mr.. Reed of Bibb was the author of an
other important general bill, which pro-
poses to establish a state board Of arbi-
tration TO settle differences between la
borers and employees.
The board Is to be appointed by the gov
ernor and one member Is to be a laborer.
There has been a good deal of gossip
over the remarks made by Speaker Jen-
has been construed as giving Gov. Atkin-
son a sharp rap for declaring he would
veto a bill re-enacting the convict lease
system. He put 1t in this way, after
having extended the usual formal
welcome to his fellow statesmen: '"rhere
are many grave duties which will come be-
fore you for consideration. believe that
you will discharge each one Of these du-
ties without dictation from any source
and without fear, favor of affection.
recognize the fact that this branch of the
legislature Is one of the law-making pow
ers of the state, and recognize that you
will meet your duties faithfully and earn
estly. There is a shadow over this state
that has almost grown into a cloud, and
1t has reached the home of
everyone within our borders. This shad-
ow is low, common, and trust the legis-
lature is looking about them and consid-
ering public questions will remember that
agriculture is smitten at a vital point
Mr. Jenkins Is generally put down on the
list of probable candidates for the govern
orship next year, and his friends think
his utterances from the stand to-day
meant that he has thrown down the gaunt-
let to the administration forces and is
ready to make finish fight against Ter
rell, who is the acknowledged legate of
the Atkinson's estate politically.
President Berner, the reported guberna-
torial candidate on the other side of the
capitol, IN calling the senate 10 order, did
not deliver himself of anything that might
be construed as having a political motive.
He took advantage of the occasion to pay
a tribute to the late r. j. Hardeman, ex-
treasurer and members Of the House who
died last session.
Nothing came of the convict question to-
day. 1t Is expected that the bill agreed
on yesterday by the joint committee will
be reported ia both houses this week,
and then the discussion win begin The
report OF the Blalock committee win not
be made until next week. but that of the
university investigation committee, Of
which Hon. Pope Brown Is chairman, Is
expected tomorrow or Friday. The Chat
ham delegation Is quartered a the KimbaH
house for the present. Mayor Meldrim Is
accompanied by Mrs. Meldrim, who was
given quite an ovation when she visited
the Senate and House TO see the opening
sessions to-day.
Following are some Of the new bills in
troduced in the House:
A bill to amend the pension act giving
$50 for fingers and toes, the same for one