The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-05
THE soLoNS AT THEIR WORK.
THE LOBBYISTS ARE ROUNDLN
ROASTED IN THE HOUSE.

House Bill Introduced TO Make Ac-
ceptance Of Railroad Passes al
Franks by Members a Crime-Alsd
one TO Make Purchase of Liquor
in Dry Counties OF municipalities
a Misdemeanor-The state Pension
Question Comes in for GOod
share Of Argument.
Atlanta, Nov. 4,-By adopting the
adverse report of the Committee of the
Whole the House to-day killed the bill
by Mr.. Perry OF Gwinnett, to provide
for a board Of tax assessors to pass
upon the valuation of all railroads IN
the state, including electrice and other
street railways.
The measure precipitated pretty
warm debate and one which took up
three hours Of the days session. Dur
ing the debate Mr.. Wright of Floyd
made some positive and unqualified as
sertions with reference TO lobbyists
around the Capitol and declared that
they must go. Hon. Joe Hall of Bib
also took a prominent part in the de-
bate in favor Of the bill and in inject
ing questions which he called on the
speakers on the opposite side TO an
swer. The declaration by Mr.. Wright
with reference to lobbyists and lob
bying was the only interesting feature
of the debate He charged that the
railroads had men in the Capitol for
the purpose of defeating every bin
that came up that in any way conflict
ed with their interests.
About the only other interesting fea-
ture in the House was the introduction
of a bill by Hon. Joe Hall, TO prohibit
members Of the Legislature, all state
and county officers. judges of courts, and
in fact. all persons in any official capac-
ity, from riding on railroad passes or
accepting any courtesy or frank from
any railroad. telegraph or express COM
pany. Mr. Hall is one of the very
few state officials who do not ride on
free passes when they can get them,
and he wants TO make it crime for all
the rest TO do So Under his bill the
penalty is a forfeiture of $1,000 for any
railroad or other company which fur
nishes one of these members or ofl-
cials a pass or frank, and the ACCEPT
ance of such a courtesy is made a mis-
demeanor punishable by a fine of 500 10
$500
Mr.. Frederick Of Macon, introduced a
bill to make il a misdemeanor for any
one to purchase spirituous or malt
liquors in any county or municipality
where the sale Of liquor is prohibited by
law.
After a lengthy discussion the House
killed the bill by Mr.. Perry of Gwin-
nett. providing for the taxation of
properties of railroad companies, In
Guiding electric and street railways in
this state; TO provide for a state board
of tax assessors to define their duties,
and to provide for their compensation"
The bill provides that all railroads
shall make their returns to the control
Ter general annually as at present;
that the controller general shall ap
point three disinterested persons as tax
assessors, who shall be paid 1,200 per
term of three years, besides travelling
expenses, and that these tax assessors
shall fix the valuation for taxation of
all the railroad properties of the state.
Mr.. Perry and Mr.. Hall urged the
passage of the bill and Mr.. Slaton of
Fulton opposed 1t.
Mr.. Wright of Floyd. declared the
time was coming when the railroads
would have to pay their full share OF
taxes to the state.
THE issue is now before this House, -
he said. land l hail 1T with joy. The
common people of the state are bearing
the burdens of taxation to-day" he
said, but the people are not here in
the lobby of the Kimball House. pour
ing devilish lies into the ears of their
representatives. They are now over
running the corridors Of your Capitol,
trying to put down good legislation.
But the railroad magnates and officials
are here to take care of themselves,
and to see that no legislation is per-
mitted to pass which imposes upon
them just and proper tax.
Il tell you I'm tired of it," Mr..
Wright declared. The system of lob
hying carried on in this Capitol has
got to stop. There is not a measure
that comes before this House affecting
corporation, but we are bounced
upon by these Internal lobbyists. 1
tell you this Internal practice has got
to STOP"
Several other speeches were made
pro and con.
Mai. w. T. Gary of Richmond, was
the first to announce in favor of re-
ducing the school fund and putting
pensions on an INDECENT basis
IF you want to repair the states
finances" Maj. Gary argued, do it
by putting the public schools on con-
stitutional basis and by making all
pensions INDECENT pensions. Teach in
the public schools only the elementary
branches of an English education as
the constitution requires, and let your
pensioners be such as need the state 8
bounty. II you are going to pass a
law like this let it apply equally to all
and don't single out one class and put
the burden upon it..