The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-28
FELDER'S SCHEME ON FELONS.
WANTS STATE TO HIRE LAND TO
WORK THEM ON.

Bill Implies "A Lease of the Dade
Coal Mines-COunties May Hire
Convicts From the state at $50
Each Per Annum-Mr. Hill Pro-
poses Abolition of Free Tuition at
the State University and Its
Branchcs-A Number of other New
Bills introduced.
Atlanta, Ga, Nov 27.-Another bill pro-
posing a plan for the disposition Of the
states convicts was introduced in the
House to-day by Mr. Fielder of Fulton.
The new bill does not simplify the situa-
ton, however, but complexities 1t. Inc
main idea in it, is the lease of mineral
and farming lands on which the convicts
are TO be worked under direction OF a
prison commission of three business men,
TO be selected by the legislature, and paid
a per diem of 81 and expenses for the
time actually devoted 10 the business.
while the bill does not say so, it is un>
derstood that 1t means a least of the
Dade coal mines, which were offered to
tbe special subcommittee at its meeting
prior to the legislative session. An app
propriation of $250,O0O is called for by the
bill to carry its purpose into effect, the
moeny to come from the rental of the
Western and Atlantic railroad. A distinct
feature is a provision by which any coun-
" may have the use of cOnvicts by paying
sS5 each per annum and all expenses for
them to the state. A limit of $1,000 pei
wear for officers to manage the convicts
and S25 per month for guards is put in the
bill.
Another interesting new bill introduced
to-day. and nothing else was done but
read new legislation, was offered by Mr..
Hill of Troupe. 1t provides for the abolition
of free tuition at the state university and
its branches in these terms: "At their
next meetings the boards of trustees of
these institutions shall adopt and estab-
lsh a schedule of tuition fees for the reg
ular course of not less than $50 nor more
than $50 per student per annum, and the
authorities of the said institution are
hereby charged with the duty of collect
ing the same, provided however, that tut
ton fees shall not be required of students
at the industrial and normal college at
Milledgeville, who pursue only the indus
trial or the common school branches. In
settlement of tuition fees any student at
tending one of the aforesaid institutions
shall in the discretion of the trustees and
on the recommendation of the faculty of
said institution, if his or her necessities
require, be permitted to give notes with
out security for their tuition fees, payable
in as many yearly installments, without
interest, as they have attended years, any
one of said institutions"
Mr. Craig of Bibb offered a bill to ex-
empt all persons having by nature lost
limb or limbs, rendering them unfit for
manual labor, from the professional pho
tographer's and similar artists tax
Mr. Pearce of Houston introduced bill
providing that appeals may be made from
justice courts any time within ten days
after a decision in said courts is rendered.
Mr. Slaton of Fulton introduced a bill
TO make it unlawful for any person to I'M
lawfully divert and use the power of an
electric light plant or tamper with an cleo
trio meter so as to keep it from duly reg
istering. The penalty attached is fine
of not exceeding 500, or Imprisonment
not exceeding one year.
Mr.. Fielder of Fulton offered a joint res
oution to provide for the payment of per
diem to Messrs. Polhill and Stapleton, the
recently seated members from Jefferson
county.
Barely a quorum was present to-day, and
the session lasted but two hours Just
half the regular time. In consequence of
the persistent absenteeism a resolution
was adopted refusing to grant leaves here
after except for providential cause or i'm
perative necessity"