The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-15
BILLED FOR THE BoNEYARD.
MR. M'FARLAND'S REFORM MEAS
UREs SLICE SALARIES HEAVILY.

for the Reduction of Salaries,
by which the Governors Pay
would he 81. zoo Per Annum-Other
Salaries Cut in PrOportiOn-Mens-
1res Considered as Huge Jokes.
Mr.. Hairs Measure Against the
Railroad Pass.
Atlanta. Ga, Nov 14.-There was reform
galore in the House to-day. Some of the
members who spent Sunday at home
came back loaded for bear or something
still bigger.
MIR. Mcfarland the Popuiist member
from Franklin county, who is the sue
cessor Of old man McDay, the most pic
turesque figure of the last House, he'd the
procession. He started the ball a rolling
with series of three bills designed TO
reorganize things in general in connection
with the state government His bills cut
down the salaries of every one of the
state house officers except the attorney
general, school commissioner and commits
ssoner of agriculture, and these were prob
ably an oversight, which will be recdfied
by the member from Franklin as soon as
he has his attention called to it.
Under his reform bills, the Governor Is
10 receive the magnificent salary of 1920
a year the justices of the Supreme Court
the same, while the judges of the Superior
Courts are granted 1,5OO per annum, with
which to sustain their judicial dignity. The
controller general, treasurer and secretary
of state are allowed 1900 each. Mr.. Nc
Farland is considerable enough of the pres
ent administration, however, TO enter
qoroviso in his bills making the reductions
non-applicable 10 the present incumbents.
II goes without saying that all the bills
of the member from Franklin will pass
that is. pass the boneyard.
But for the fact that the bills came from
a Populist representing a Republican
county, they would be regarded as joke
by the author. But as it is, the joke IS
on the author who is likely 10 grow grey
waiting for his pets to emerge from the
committee room.
Mr.. Hall of Bib was responsible for
the other star reform" bill. Mr.. Hail
is an uncommonly large man. He is large
in physique He is also large in brain,
and being an ex-railroad attorney of rec
ognized standing some of his colleagues
think he should have known better Com
ing from most any other man his bill
might have been taken as a joke also.
But being fathered by the dgnified MEM
Der from Bib the proposition 10 pro-
hibit the railroads from granting free
passes to members of the legislature and
other officeholders must be taken serious
" Mr. Hall declares he Is deeply in earn
est. He intends TO press the bill, and With
such big, able-bOdied, ableheaded man
behind it, there is no telling what viii hap
pen to this old friend of the reformers.
Mr. Halls bill goes further than the rail-
roads and their free passes. IL takes in
telegraph and express companies, as well,
as the sleeping car companies and not
only prohibits them from granting free
passes to any person holding a position
in the state service, but also denies them
the right to give these persons a special
rate not given to other citizens of the
state. under penalty of $1,000 fine for each
offense.
Mr. Hall has got an ace up his sleeve
for the railroads. II seems in addition to
the anti-free pass bill of to-day he has
also introduced several other measures
that have brought the railroad attorneys
hustling TO the capitol Hobbies. It might
appear at the first glance that the man
who passed a law taking away from the
railroads the privilege of granting free
passes would be the devoted friend of the
roads, but those who know the ms and
outs of the situation do not see 1t in this
light. They say that the railroads would
linquish the privilege of giving away
transportation, when they want to give it
away. OF course, as stated, Mr.. Hall
comes to the legislature quite fresh from
big railway attorneyship. He might,
therefore, be regarded as the best equip
ped man on the floor as a railroad plea
dore. At any rate his banderillas have
so far been aimed with a skill that causes
the railroads 10 wonder what may come
next.
Congressman George T. Barnes of Au-
gusta is to address the legislature next
Thursday evening on the subject of the
Nicaragua canal A joint resolution ex-
tending him the Invitation was passed by
the House to-day at the request of Mr.
Calvin of Richmond. Mr.. Barnes will
argue that the canal should be built and
owned by the United States.
Among the visitors to the capitol to-day
was Col. ]. H. Estill of Savannah, who
came up in response to a letter from Gov
Gambler to take part in discussion of
stale finances with a number of prominent
citizens and officials from various parts
of the state Col. Estill was extended the
courtesies of the House by resolution in
troduced by Mr.. LaRoche, and during a
portion of the session he occupied the
seat of Mr. McDonough, that gentleman,
and also has colleague, Mr.. Mcmillan be-
ing detained in Savannah for the day
Ihe controversy over the condition of
the state treasury and the cause of the
apparent deficit, brought out to-day a res
olution from Mr.. Calvin of Richmond cali
ing upon the state school commissioner
for statement showing in detail the
workings of the school appropriations
The resolution viii be acted upon to-
morrow, and under the rules asks for he
following information:
The aggregate amount of the state school
fund for the years 1898 and 1894, respective
ly.
What amount of this fund was a direct
appropriation?
What amount az any, accrued 10 this
fund each of the years named from the
tax levy on property IN excess OF $475,-
100000?
What amount was apportioned each
year to the several counties?
What per cent. of the net amount appor-
toned to the several counties was paid tc
teachers?
What langfh Of school torn Ala tl,o 90,