The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-08
SCHOOL FUND COMPROMISED.
THE 100000 APPROPRIATION CAR
RIES THE DAY.

Pensions 10 an INDECENT Basis-hr.
LaROchc Speaks on the school
Fund. and Offers an Amendment.
senate VIII Hardly Change the
Amount Fixed by the House, but
May Debate the Prison Bills.
Atlanta. Dec. THE TWO paramount is
Sues OF the present session Of the general
assembly were settled to-day, so far as
the House of Representatives is concern
ell.
First came the passing of the compro-
mise foreshadowed in these dispatches
last night. on the school fund. BY an
Overwhelming majority, this fund was
fixed at $4,000.
Following this the pension issue was
taken up and fought to finish, the
Brandon bills. which conhne the pensions
of both widows and MANNED soldiers 10
an INDECENT basis. being passed. The ma
jority that supported this reformation IN
the pension laws was such as to leave no
room for another consideration. SO th's'
as well as the school fund question may
be regarded as finally settled in the lower
branch of the assembly.
II NAV be thar there viii be a hard fight
on the pension bills in the Senate, though
this is doubted by the lawyers OF the
House. but it is hardly within the limits OF
the probable that the upper branch viii
make any serious attempt to interfere
with the status of common school ap-
propriation as it passed the House. The
lower body met the issue with 50 much
determination, and with such evident de-
liberation Of purpose, that it would seem
folly for the Senate to attempt TO after It's
work. IN .-,.
rbe margin on the Brandon bills was
much closer than on the school 1uI1'
hence they cannot be regarded as com, con-,
plctelv out OF danger until the last shred
Of opposition has been exhausted In fact,
notice was given this afternoon that a
nation To reconsider would be made IN
the morning and upon this motion there
will be another skirmish at least, before
these measures get out OF the hafds OF
the House. There is a chance that they
may meet the fate OF the Lane bill when,
after being passed. now lies pigeon-holed
in the House through the work of the I'LL
busterers who opposed it.
The Brandon bills simply require pen
sioners under the MANNED clause ana the
widows pension act, TO make oath that
they are not able to provide for their own
support before they Will be entitled to
draw any more pension money out of the
state treasury. Ii is estimated by the
author after a careful investigation, that
the passage of these bills will save at
least $4,000 a year, and possibly more.
They are intended to reach the Well-to do
pensioners of both classes.
The vote by which the House finally
gave the $4,000 TO the schools was 1ls TO
46. which shows how strong this item Is
in the popular branch of the assembly.
This result was not reached either until
after three or four other propositions,
ranging from 100000 90 $1,000.000 had been
defeated by almost the same majority thar
passed the appropriation.
The vote in favor of the Brandon bills
was 90 against 81, IS being necessary to
pass them Five votes is, therefore, all
the margin they had to spare.
When the school fund clause of the APP
preparation bin was resumed this morn
ing, after some preliminary discussion, Mr..
LaRoche of Chatham secured the floor.
IL was the first time that Mr.. LaRoche,
or, in fact any member of the Chatham
delegation had claimed the attention of
the House TO debate a question, since the
commencement of the session, and he was
accorded most fattering reception. The
reputatio of Chatham delegation had
tematic work. 1t is not fullsome praise
TO say Mr. LaRoche added to this repu-
tation no little during the few minutes
he was on his feet. The close attention
paid to him rendered his voice distinctly
audible in every corner of the great hall.
and thus increased the effectiveness of mis-
remarks
The spokesman of the Savannah delega-
ton went right to the core of the issue.
TTa Cd he { 10
tion had been beclouded by an arraign-
ment of the country against the towns.
protesting that the people of the state had
never instituted such a line in the issue.
1t was simply a business proposition and
should he met as such. If the taxes were
more than the people could stand they
should be reduced. reduced in justice 10
all alike, not because the reduction would
beneft any one class Of citizens or de-
prive others.
Speaking of the people of Chatham
county whom he represented in particu-
lar, he declared that there was no great
hue and cry there for a reduction OF The
school appropriation, and he could not
therefore be accused of favoring a reduc.
ton because he came from a city MIR
LaRoche concluded by moving as com
promise measure that $4,000 be appro
priated direct, and that the schools alst
have all funds that may arise from tax
alton on property in excess of SAP. 900 900
Following this there We're several othe1
motions. The LaRoche amendment wa
lost by a vote of 112 TO q.
Upon a proposition 10 make it 5000
with a contingent clause similar to tha
in the LaRoche amendment. the Hous
voted 81 in favor and SO against.
This amendment was offered by MI
Park of Greene.
The Calvin motion to make it $500 .O0C
with the excess clause, as in the LaRoch
motion was put. AT this juncture Nj
Harrison of Quitman had the question
divided and the $500 600 appropriation wa
lost by a vote of IS to 81. Then the propo
sition to give the excess of SAP, 600 wa
put and voted down unanimously. TIL
amendment of Mr.. Everett of Polk, carry
ing the full 100000 appropriation wa
put and lost by 80 TO 65 Lastly the amend
ment by Mr.. Adams of Putnam was pu
to the House. This was for the $500 &C
compromise appropriation, stripped Of a
contingencies and il carried by the over