The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-21
POOL ROOM BILL IN DOUBT.
nrpENDs ON THE ACTION OF SEN
ATE COMMITTEE TO-DAY.

:, nil Is Reconsidered and Favora-
bl, Reported 1t VIII Become a
Law. Otherwise NOt-Nr. McDOn-
orqb Has Placed Himself on Rec
ord-LegisIators Required to Sub
mit Proof 81 Advertising of Local
uiIIs-LegisIature of an EcOnOmi-
,oI Turn OF Nind-Mr. McDOnOugh
Has Not Declared Himself a Cam
didate for Mayor.
Hon. ]. ]. McDonough arrived in the
.ltv Yesterday from Atlanta. He will re-
main here to-day on business connected
ritb the contract for the lumber to be
rsa5 by The contractors for the govern
mont hospital
MFR AIcDonoeghs anti-pool room bill is
The legislative matter which seems to be
If chief local interest just now. When
seen bv a Morning News reporter Mr.. Nc
nonough said he expects that the bill will
become law this week, though he has
M nositIve information as TO what action
the Senate will take on the matter
"A motion to take up the bill for re-
consideration will be made in the Senate
judiciary committee Monday" said Mr..
ucDonough. "If the motion is successful
and the bill is allowed 10 come before the
senate. 1 think it will become a law. If
the motion be lost the bill will be lost"
Mr.. McDonough said the former action
of the Senate committee in reporting I'M
tavorably upon the bill was due to the
onnosition of Senator West of Thomas
vile. who held that the bill would inter
fere with the horse racing at the county
fairs in Georgia and would indirectly in
terfere with the breeding and raising of
E fine stock.
This is entirely a misapprehension,"
said Mr. McDonough. There is nothing
in the bill affecting horse racing and its
massage would not interfere in any way
with the breeding of fine stock. 1t is di-
rected solely against pool rooms, where
marty rents and uses a room for the sale of
pools on horse races, whether conducted
in this state or elsewhere. The members
of the Senate committee who passed upon
the bill were unfortunately not informed
as to its purpose. The bill does not re-
ouire any modification or amendment as it
expresses exactly what il means in its
present shape"
"'What if it does not pass?" Mr.. Nc
Donough was asked.
well. I have placed myself on record"
he replied.
The other local legislation is progress
Inc satisfactorily, Mr.. McDonough said.
The commission repeal bills will come be-
fore the legislature on their passage to-
dav. There is no doubt of their passage
In the House. They will promptly go be-
fore the Senate and will no doubt become
laws before the end of the week. The
local legislation has been delayed some
what by the requirement on the part Of
the chairmen of committees that the proof
Of advertising as required by law must
be presented before the bills can be acted
upon This is a formality which has not
always been required heretofore. Mr.. Nc
Donough was absent when the repeal bills
first came before the committee and he
was somewhat surprised to find on his re-
turn that the bills had not been reported.
When he found what the trouble was he
promptly produced his proof and the bills
were reported. Mr.. LaRoche had similar
trouble with one of his local bills
Mr.. McDonough does not consider that
the states finances in very bad shape. It
is largely a matter of bookkeeping, he
said With the usual good management
he thinks the state will be able to pass
through the ensuing year as easily as
formerly. Economy will be necessary and
on this account it is likely that the ap-
propratlons will not be as liberal as in
former years. The legislature will endeav-
Or not to make any appropriations for
which there are no provisions.
1T is likely that the pension appropria-
ton Will not be as large as last year,
he said. 1T viii be scrutinized more care
fully. The last legislature increased the
school appropriation by 100000 without
making any provision for the payment of
the increased amount. 1t may be that no
Provision will be made for the payment
Of this increase and that the appropria-
ton Will remain at $600,0 Co.,"
Mr. McDonough said that he is pleased
TO find the local political situation quies-
cent and that there seemed to be no dis
position anywhere to precipitate cam
paign at this early stage of the game. The
impression that he had practically declar-
ed himself a candidate for Mayor upon
reform platform is incorrect, he said.
Il have done nothing of the kind and
mad no intention of doing So" he said. Il
nave not been asked to become a candi-
Qate for Mayor, and L am not likely TO
oeeome one unless l am asked to do so.
mere has been no move to that effect
mat am aware Of There is no neces-
Hly for agitating this subject at present,
and do not think any good can be ac-
n l-Tl H.. -