The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-15
MANY MEASURES TONED DOWN
FLORIDA sOLONs ARE WRESTLING
WITH HARD PROBLEMS.

MISSION IEoutths
Tallahassee. Fla May 1.-THE more
radical measures which have been intro
duced during the current session of the
Florida legislature have all foundered
while attempting to run the course of leg
isiatve routine which leads to final pas
sage. The harmless remains of a few of
them will probably get on the statute
book but there will not be substance
enough eft in them 10 consume much
time of the courts, nor work any consid-
cradle annoyance to the people at whom
the original bills were aimed
Sonspicuius among these emasculated
bills are Frank Clarks anti-cigarette
measure and his stringent libel bill. Clark
is a good deal of genius. His eloquence
as an orator, his readiness as a debater
and mis- diligence as a worker are the 'pe-
eial admiration Of his associates in the
House. Mr. Clark is still young man, a
native of North Georgia, and now one of
the most prominent citizens of Jackson
vile. But with all his eloquence and in
huence, he VIII fail-indeed, has faied-to
Iesislate the cigarette out of the state and
10 secure the enactment of libel law
which would gag the press.
Anti-CigRrette Bill.
The cigarette bin, which as originally
drawn, and as it passed the lower house,
would have prohibited the importation.
manufacture, sale or gift of cigarettes or
cigarette papers in any form, was amend
ed in the Senate so as to exclude from its
provisions all cigarettes made from Flor
ida or Cuban tobacco, which means, in
plain English that the effect of the bill
was destroyed. Prosecuting attorneys
would soon break down from overwork if
they should attempt to test before a jury
whether every cigarette sod or given
away in the state contained only tobacco
OF Florida of Cuban growth. This re-
markable bill is now in the hands of a
conference committee, composed of three
senator's and three representatives Four
OF these six gentlemen are on record as
bemg opposed to the measure, so it may
never see the light Of day.
Libel Bill Amended.
Mr. Clarks stringent libel law. after
running the gauntlet in the House. was
also amended beyond recognition in the
Senate. 1t originally provided penalties
for publishing any article wherein al
legged immoral acts, misdoings or wrong
full conduct Of any person are stated or
pretended 20 be stated, or wherein it is
intimated that any person has been guilty
of any immortality or other misconduct,
unless the full name of the person so
charged and also the full name of the per-
son writing the article are published there
with. The Senate amendments remove
The penalties from the publication of all
articles except those alleging immortality,
and 1t seems certain that those amend
ments must prevail or the bill can never
become law
Another instance in point is the anti
trust bill, introduced in the House by DR..
Coleman of Washington county. This bill
has met with no favorable progress. 1t
was reported adversely by the corporations
committee, and was just about to be sent
TO its death by an indefinite postpone
ment when DR.. Coleman secured its re-
commitment to the corporations commit
tee in the hope that a substitute which
would meet with greater favor might be
presented by the committee. 1t is not
thought however, that much more will
be heard Of this measure.
VIII BE No Convention.
Then there is the proposition to hold a
convention to revise the constitution. 1t
has been reported favorably by the House
committee on constitutional amendments.
and when this fact was told to promi-
neut official here he remarked:
Us folly actually running that wild?
Why, they'll not get twenty votes in both
houses for such a measure"
That opinion seems 20 be well founded,
and a quick death seems certain for the
joint resolution when it is reached on the
calendar
over two weeks ago Frank Clark in
troduced in the House a joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the const-
tuition which would locate the capital at
Jacksonville after 1901. The resolution
was referred to the committee on constitu-
tional amendments of which Mr. Clark
is chairman 1t is still there, and mem
bers are wandering whether Clark is
afraid to report it or waiting for an OPP
portunity to spring a coup.
The talk of removing the capital, or,
to be more accurate, OF submitting the
matter TO the people, Is dying out rapidly.
There is very small probability that il
could receive favorable consideration at
this late day.
Only three weeks of the session remain,
and the calendars are very heavy. The
capital removal question would consume
several days i'm its discussion, and most
of the influential men feel that the other
measures of more real and pressing i'm
portance demand and should receive pre-
cNutilCe over lue SIdlnCdtlOn OF Jackson
Villes ambition.
Nothing Tor Supreme Court.
Strange to say, there has been no bill
introduced in either house looking di-
rectly to the relief of the Supreme Court
The constitution of 1885 made the justices
of that court elective officers Previous
TO that, they had been appointed by the
Governor and held office for life.
The old regime. composed principally of
carpet-bag Republicans, took things cas-
lily and did not trouble themselves to keep
up with the dockets. Consequently, when
the new Democratic justices went upop
the Supreme bench in the late eighties
they found the docket in grievously con-
gested condition. The appellate business
was increasing with each year. and the
cases which had been pouring in for five
or six years were still awaiting decision
The number Of judges was not increased
nor was the constitutional requirement
that written opinions must be filed In each
case altered
The new justices. however buclxled
down to the wel-uigh hopeless task ana