The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-14
THE SoLoNS IN SESSION.
yesterdays PROCEEDINGS OF
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

Ballot Bill Killed in the House
Busy Day in the senate.
Atlanta, Nov. 1S.-There will be no
filibustering at this session of the Leg
islature on the depot bill or ANYTHING
else.
BY a ruling made to-day. in which
he reversed his former ruling, Speaker
Little effectually shut off all opportu-
nifty for flibustering, and on appeal
his ruling was sustained by large
majority vote.
The Australian ballot law bill by Mr.
Kelly of Glascock, was up for consid-
GRAFTON. as the special order for the
day. After the debate relating TO the
favorable report of the committee the
previous question was called, and the
main question was ordered put. When
the ave and nay vote was being cali
ed on the passage of the bill, Mr.. Fell
der of Bib one of the filibusterers or
the last session asked permission TO
explain his vote. Unanimous consent
was refused. and Mr.. Hall of Bibo
moved that M. Fielder be permitted 10
explain.
Speaker Little promptly ruled Mr..
han out Oh OIQeIs
Il respectfully submit that such was
not the ruling of the speaker hereto
fore" said Mr.. Fielder.
THE chair recognizes that fact,
Speaker Little said, but after a care
ful consideration of this matter the
chair has reached the conclusion that
this is the proper ruling, and makes
it now"
Speaker Titles ruling is to the ef-
Ia
has been called no motion is in order
except a motion to adjourn or mo-
ton TO table, and after the main ques-
ton has been ordered no motion what
ever is in order until the business be-
fore the House has been disposed Of.
Mr.. Fielder appealed from the deci-
sion of the chain and the House gave
unanimous consent that the subject
should be debated. Mr.. Fielder contend
ed that the right of a member to ex-
plain his vote was an inherent right,
personal privilege. and that he GER
tainly had the right to ask the House
for that permission.
Mr.. Slaton of Fulton held that the
rules were not susceptible of thar con-
struction, and that he had disagreed
with the Speaker in his former ruling.
IF you mant to shut off the business
of the House by permitting every MEM
. Der to explain his vote, by permitting
the call of the ayes and nays on the
motion as to whether he should be al
lowed to explain, and by permitting the
explanation of votes on that PROPOSE
ton, and overrule the Speaker, said
Mr.. Slaton. But if We are to accom-
plish anything at this session the
Speakers ruling must be sustained"
Speaker Little at the request of the
House explained his ruling, he showed
that a motion TO adjourn is the high
est privileged motion. Under rule 81
only motions to adjourn or motions to
table are in order when the previous
question has been called.
After the main question has been or
dered the same rule declared that not
even a motion to adjourn is in order.
Then how can a motion to permit
a member to explain his vote be in
order?" the Speaker asked.
Speaker Little denied that il was a
privilege motion and when the question
was put he was sustained by so large
a majority that no division was called
fer. He was warmly congratulated on
the resolution when the House adj
journed
The Australian ballot law bill by
Mr.. Kelly of Glascock was the special
order for the day, and this together
with the debate on the Speakers ruling
consumed the whole session.
The ballot bill was killed, the vote
being SIS for it and rs against it. The
bill came from the Committee on Priv
ileges and Elections with a unani-
mously favorable report, and the
House was about to disagree to this re-
port, thereby killing the bill, when
Mr.. Hardwick of Washington and sew
eral others prevailed upon the MEM
bers to agree to the favorable report
so that the measure might come up
for discussion and a fair consideration
Mr.. Hardwick argued that the bill
was in the interest of pure elections in
Georgia, and said ballot reform has
been Endorsed by the Democratic par
~ in its national conventions. He ap-
pealed for the passage of the measure.
Several others spoke in a similar
tone when the previous question was
called, and Messrs. Park of Greene,
Kelly of Glascoek, Wright of Floyd,
and others, made five-minute speeches
in favor of the measure. The ayes and
nays on the passage of the bill were
then called, and the discussion over
the Speakers ruling came up as stated.
Messrs. Hitch and Wells voted for
the BILL and Mr.. Harden voted against
IT.. Mr.. Harden was one of those who
asked permission to explain his vote.
and was refused. Afterwards, during
the debate on the Speakers ruling, he
stated that he considered the Speaker
was right and gladly submitted to the
ruling made. His statement was re-
ceived with applause.
In the Senate.
In the Senate this morning the bill
passed yesterday. fixing emasculation
as the punishment for rape, was re-
considered by vote of il to IL
upon motion of Mr.. Holder the Sem
ate adjourned until 10 o'clock to-mor-
row, when it will take up the Wright
oispensary bill as the special order.
disposing of it probably before IL
o'clock, the hour for joint session when
Mrs. FELTON, will address the Legisla-
ture on the subject of education and
the public schools of Georgia.
number of local bills were intro
duced. and several local House bills
were read the third time and passed.
Among the local bills passed were
the following:
BY Mr.. Drawdy of Clinch-To incor-
porate the town of Argyle.
By Mr.. Shipp of Colquitt--To create
a new charter for the town OF Moul-
trie.
BY Mr.. Ousley of Lowndes-To in
corporate the city of Valdosta.
The General Judiciary Committee Of
the House this afternoon recommend
ed favorably the bill by Mr.. Hall Of
Bibb. prohibiting members Of the Leg
islature, and all state and county off,
Gals of whatever class or position
from accepting free passes from any
railroad company, or from accepting
franks or any other courtesies from
any telegraph or express companies.
The House Constitutional Arnand