The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-11
CLEWS CAN'T GET HIS CASH.
LEGISLATIVE AGAIN REFUSES To
ORDER BONDS REDEEMED.

The Refusal the Tenth That Has
Marked the Effort to Have An APP
DrOpriation VOted-Mr. Hogan of
Lincoln County Outlines the
Charge of Fraud on Which the Re
fuSaI Is Based - Mr. MeIdrim of
Chatham Makes a strong speech
In Favor OF Payment.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. 10.-For the tenth
tine the House of Representatives to-day
refused TO pay the Hayes and Scott con-
vention bonds. The debate over the bill
to pay them, which was introduced by Mr..
Boifeuillet of Bib, occupied the major
pert of the session. Every year the leg
isIature has 10 deal with this proposition
which has always occasioned a spirited
controversy consuming, it is safe 10 say,
almost enough time, first 20 last, TO off
set the bond claim. The bonds were is
sued in 1866 by Gov. Jenkins, and al
though they have been favorably recon-
mended by every legislative committee
that has investigated them no bill has ever
gotten through.
The reasons which have Prevailed for the
refusal to pay the bonds are pretty well
given in the speech of Mr.. Hogan of Lin
coin, populist, who led the opposition to-
day. He said that Henry Clews & Co,
acted as the financial agents for Gov.
Bullock, and the finances of the state were
in a deplorable condition. He read from
the message of Gov. Smith TO the legisla-
ture of 1873, a statement of a suspicion to
q
converting to their own use paid up bonds
of the state, and that the attorney general
of Georgia was refused an inspection OF
the books and accounts of Henry Clews &
Co. Another statement was read from Gov.
Smith to the effect that no satisfactory
settlement could be had with Clews G.
Co, who claimed that the state owed them
$4,000 Mr.. Hogan read further from
Gov. Smith statement that certain bonds
redeemed and paid got into the possession
of Clews & Co., and were sold at bogus
sale in New York on one days notice, for
the purpose of securing a color of title to
bonds already paid. Mr.. Hogan read from
the report of Dr. Bozeman, the then treas
urer, that the $25.50O of bonds held by E.
r. Scott and E. L. Hayes were part and
parcel of the bonds redeemed by the state,
and Illegally sold and put back into the
market by Clews & Co., in 1873. AS the
bonds in question were held by E. L.
Hayes this was directly the matter before
the House.
Ex-Gov. Boynton spoke in favor of pay
ing the bonds. He argued that Henry
Clews never had anything to do with
them.
Mr. Boifeuillet also champloned the bill,
as well as Mr. Boynton of Calhoun, chair
man of the finance committee of the last
House.
Mr.. Meldrim of Chatham made one OF
the most forcible appeals for the mainten-
ance of the states integrity by the pay
ment, that has been heard on this floor
this session. ut does seem,' said he,
that there ought to be no reputation.
There should be no stain upon the honor
of the state. These bonds were issued by
Gov. Mcdonald to build the state road,
and by Gov. Jenkins to pay the expenses
of the convention. 1t is not true that they
have any connection with the Bullock
bonds. 1t cannot be denied that they were
issued, and they have never been paid.
Your attorney general tells you 1t is a
legal claim on the state. These are bonds
for which Georgia received the money, and
1t is infamous that she should repudlate
her honest debt. There should be nothing
dearer to the people of the state than its
honor. The state cannot be sued. Let
us not be deluded with false suspicious
and let us not charge wrong upon the
parties where there is no evidence. Let us,
for the state, as in our private capacity,
be slow to charge wrong and scrupulous
TO do right"
Flfty-nine to IA was the vote by which
the bill was killed.
The effort to have yesterdays action in
Staying the child labor bin RECONSTRUCTED
failed this morning. Mr.. Nevin made the
motion and there was a warm debate, but
to no purpose. as the House stood firmly
by Its position yesterday, 20 to 100, being
the vote cast upon the motion.
Mr. Watkins bill proposing a constitu-
tional amendment which would leave it
discretionary with the legislature to say
what classes of persons shall receive pen
sions was killed after a discussion in which
some sharp criticisms was levelled at the
present pension law by MIR. Boynton of
Calhoun, who declared that the pension
list was already a heavy burden, and the
people could stand no more
GEIGER NOT IN HIS SEAT.