The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-06
DULL DAY AT THE CAPITOL
LEAVES OF ABSENCE RENDER THE
SENATE WITHOUT QUORUM.

Dir. Ellis of Bfbb Introduces n Bill
Providing for Constitutional
Convention - Mr.. Dade Asks the
Amendment of the Road Law-GOv.
Gambler Names Hon. w. ID. Not
bingham as Judge of the City
Court of Macon.
Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 5.-A bill providing
for a constitutional convention was the
only feature Of to-days session of the
legislature. 1t was introduced by Mr.. Ellis
Of Bibb, a young lawyer of Macon, ana
already a prominent figure in the House
He is impressed with the necessity Of
convention of the people 10 modify the Or
ganic law of the state, and Will urge the
passage of his bill with all his ability and
energy. The bin appropriates no specific
time for the convention. but merely directs
the Governor TO issue his proclamation as
soon as the bill becomes a law calling the
convention together, leaving the matter OF
expense appropriation in the hands of the
committee, or of the whole House. Repre-
eentation in the convention is made the
same as that in the general assembly, each
county having the same number Of dele
gates as 1T has representatives in the Low
er House, and each senatorial district be-
ing entitled to one delegate. 1t is estimated
that it would cost from $4,000 to 100000
20 hold a constitutional convention II the
delegates were compensated as are mem
bers of the legislature, and the other run
ming expenses should be similar Most of
the leaders agree that there ought to be
convention, as the constitution of 1871
needs a general remodeling. but just at
the present time when the legislators are
puzzling their brains about ways and
means to cut down expenses 1t is hard to
see how they are going TO make up their
minds to such an expenditure. 1t has been
suggested heretofore that the delegates
serve for nothing, but this idea did not
take very we'll
Mr.. Tatum Of Dade introduced a bill
to amend the road laws so as to provide
that the citizens of any county may vote
upon what is known as the -four day.
law If they vote in favor of it, then eY-
cry male resident of the county between
the ages of IS and so Is affected, and
must work four days each year on the
roads or pay 81 a day to the county treas
urer in lieu of that service. The bill pro-
Vides for a superin tendent of roads in
each county 10 see that its provisions are
carried out.
The attendance In both houses of the as
sembly was very slim on account of the
large number of leaves of absence grant
ed yesterday.
In the Senate nothing was done at all.
Gov. Gambler sent in a sealed message,
making nominations for confirmation, but
the message was not opened because of
the lack of a quorum.
1t is known that the message contained
the name of Hon. w. d. Nottingham to
be judge of the City Court of Macon, to
succeed Judge John P. Ross, who has
held that position for eight years. The
position pays $1,000 a year, and there was
a warm fight for it.
AS soon as he had disposed OF this case
the Governor took up the Rome City Court
judgeship, hearing a large delegation from
the Hill City this afternoon. There is a
strong fight for this place also with no
favorite al the present writing.
Both houses adjourned over until next
Wednesday on account of the congress
siOnal election.
Commissioner of Agriculture Stevens to-
day announced the following appointments
of oil inspectors: Cedartown and Rome
district, w. G.. Coleman of Cedartown;
Social Circle, George Spearman; Toccoa.
w. A. Fowler; Cartersvile, A ". Fife.
Mr.. Coleman is editor of the Cedartown
Standard and president of the Georgia
Weekly Press Association.