The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-28
HAD SPEECH FROM MALLORY.
SENATOR ADDRESSED THE FLoRI-
DAL LEGISLATIVE.


sion Judicial POwers-Clark's LII
bel Law Likely to Pnss-Resolu-
ton to Remove the Capitol TO
JacksOnvI Florida VIII
Fight It-some Warm Passages
Betveen Legislators.
Tallahassee, Fla, April 27.-The regular
course of the legislature was interrupted
to-day by the delivery of an address by
United States Senator Mallory, who was
passing through going TO Pensacola. Botn
houses had just finished the routine work
of the day, when he appeared in the
House as a spectator. He was asked 20
address the House, and the Senate was
invited In.
Senator Mallory recalled his services In
both branches of the legislature, beginning
twenty-five years ago He spoke of the
stormy times of those days and the
changes since. He said many recent events
in other parts of the country made him
fear Americans were degenerating. and
Democracy dying out, but took fresh hope
when he noted the splendid record of the
present legislature. He compared this
body with former legislatures, and those
of other states and was very compliment
ary His speech was entirely impromptu,
and lasted only half an hour.
Judge Raney responded feelingly, thank
ing the senator, ana reviewing his great
services to Elorida's democracy. He
thanked him for flattering comparisons
and declared the legislature was only try
ing to do its duty.
To Give Judicial Powers.
very important measure was intro
duced in the House by Representative
Palmer comforting judicial powers on the
railroad commission. The bill will excite
wide discussion, and limitations of a hard
fight have already appeared.
The greater part of the day in the House
was dispensed in discussing Frank Clark's
stringent libel law, which prohibits the
publica ton of hbelous articles and anony-
nous communications. 1t will pass the
House. Its fate in. the Senate is doubtful
but 1t is thought safe.
Representative Clark introduced Joint
resolution proposing a constitutional
amendment removing the capital to Jack
sonville. Jacksonville offers a suitable
site and 100000 1t is extremely doubtful
whether the necessary consent of three
hfths of both houses can be obtained to
submit the proposition to the people This
fight has been on for fifty years and never
met any success. West and Middle Flor
ida have always defeated it and are still
strong enough to do it.
L'EngIe's Bill Defeated.
The session was not more than half an
hour old. Wednesday, when the two mas
ter minds of the House locked horns. and
instantaneously every face on the floor
was turned upon them, for their seats are
scarcely FIVE yards apart.
DR. John L. IIEngle the hlunt forcihla
unyielding and influential representative
from Jacksonville-the Thomas Carlyle of
the House-had introduced a bill for a new
revision of the laws of Florida, including
those to be passed at this session. Ex-
Chief Justice Raney. the learned, eloquent
and. equally influential member from Tai
lahassee, reported the bill unfavora bly,, on
behalf of the judiciary committee, as being
Unnecessary and expensive.
The measure came up for consideration
and Raney moved its indefinite postpone
ment EEngle got riled, and made a pow
erful appeal to the House to save his
favorite measure from this summary
death Raney seemed inspired by having
a foeman worthy of his steel, and he shot
out words of fire and force against the
proposition. Every member watched the
conflict of the giants with mingled feel
ings of delight and awe. 1t did not last
many minutes, but it was the star short
engagement of the entire session. No 9TH
er member ventured to enter the discus
ton, and the bill went to its death.
HeaIy's Warm Reply.
An hour or so later occurred another
clash which afforded so much amusement
to everybody that 1t will be talked of un-
til the final adjournment.
For several years the subject of proper
compensation 20 be allowed sheriffs for
feeding prisoners has been a mooted ques-
ton in Florida. The present fee is 40
cents per day for each prisoner and a
bin to reduce it to 80 cents came up in
the House. The leading champion of re-
duction was MIR. Zewadski, a talented law-
yer from Ocala, and one of the most bril-
liant, amiable and industrious men on the
floor
Mr.. Zewadsk had presented his Views
calmly, but very earnestly, when sudden
~ the House was electrified by a vehe-
ment outbrust in reply from one of its
most Interesting members He was Mai
George Healy of Volusia county. who
looks like the pictures of Falstaff, has n
voice like Speaker Reed, and is regarded
by every one he knows as a typical hail
fellow-well- met Tho redoubtable ma
jor Is too fond of a good dinner himself
to relish the idea of cutting down any
persons rations, even though Il be Dris-
oners. He became excited in opposition to
the bin, and he denounced and ridiculed il
most numerically. Mr. Zewadski had the
excellent sense 10 answer the attack in
such a felicitous and effective manner thar
good humor prevailed during the RENAME
err of the afternoon.
-s-@s
LAKE CITY CADETS DTNED.