The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-09
BILL PASSES HOUSE.
Lower Branch of Legislature Legis-
Intes on whisky Selling.


Of Floyd, giving TO all the counties Of
the state the right upon petition of
ene-ffth of the qualified voters to hold
an election to determine whether or
not a dispensary or dispensaries shall
be established in such counties.
The bill provides for an amendment
to the local option laws as found in
sections 1541 and 1914 of the state code
of 1895. An important feature is that
il makes a radical change in that law
so that if the bill finally goes through
as it stands it will take the signatures
of one-fifth of the voters to petition
in order to bring about an election for
prohibition in a county as well as for
dispensary, instead of only one-tenth
as the law now stands.
Mr.. Wright's bill amends section 1541
OF the code so as to provide for an
election in any county for dispensaries
in a like manner in which local option
elections are held. An important
amendment to this section was also
adopted providing that all such cleo
tons whether for prohibition or for dis
pensaries can be held only once in four
years instead of every two years as at
present
The second section of the bill pro-
vides the form of ballot to be used IN
case of dispensary election.
Section 3 provides for the appoint
ment of three dispensary commission
ers for a term of three years each.
In section four it is prohibited to
establish a dispensary in any town of
less than 700 inhabitants.
dispensary manager is also provid-
ed for at a salary of not less than
$4,000 year and subsequent sections
prescribe his duties and the manner in
which the dispensary shall be oper-
ated.
The bill is modelled very much after
the dispensary measures of other
states, provides that nothing but the
pure stuff shall be sold, and ar
ranges for a division of the net profits
between town and county in proper
ton to population.
The bill prohibits the licensing of
liquor dealers in counties adopting the
dispensary plan.
The debate on the bill was interest
ing, but not sharp or acrimonious
Mr.. Wright then explained every de-
tail Of the BILL which, he said, was
very simple. The idea of the bill was
to take the liquor traffic out of the
hands of private individuals. who sold
the cheapest whiskey for the biggest
pI offs. This bill would allow the
counties to vote for either total prohj-
hilton, barrooms or dispensaries. AMI
the people would no longer have to un-
dergo seeing young men lurcd into bar
rooms II the bill was passed.
The liquor traffic in Georgia" said
Mr.. Wright" is in control of Georgia
politics. 1t is simply a big machine.
The whiskey dealers have city ma
chires, county machines and even
state machines. The conditions in
Georgia are intolerable. We have
driven the sale of liquor into seven or
eight of the large cities of Georgia.
Right around Atlanta are many dry
counties. But the people of these coun,
ties telephone in and have it shipped
to them. Atlanta derives 100000 a year
in revenue from the liquor traffic, ana
the smaller counties get nothing. Sa-
vannah gets $4,000 and Macon $4,000.
The smaller counties do not under.
stand the situation. do not know
what Augusta makes"
Mr.. Mulherin of Richmond: Angus
ia gets about $4,000
Mr.. Wright. Augusta is very mod
crate. She must deal in. cheap liquor
Mr.. Mulherin: I'VE have the very
best"
Mr. Wright: my friend saws they
have the very best and he ought to
know
mo wonder the big cities kick when
such bills are brought up. They have
too big monopoly
Messrs. Everett of Stewart, Hard
wick of Washington, George of Nor
gan, Mitchell of Thomas and others
made brief speeches in favor of the
bill, while Messrs. Fielder of Bib,
Norris of Cobb, Harden of Chatham
and others made short speeches against
ii.
The only amendments of consequence
that were adopted were by Mr.. Park
of Green that a petition of one fifth
ton can be held, and by Mr. Hardwick
of Washington that such election can
be held only once in four years.
In the Senate.
In the Senate a motion was passed.
providing for printing of 500 copies of
the military bill which provides for
reorganization of the military of the
state. 1t was stated that many in
quiries for copies Of the bill had been
nish them.
The following new bills were intro
duced:
BY Mr.. Ellis-An act to divide Geor-
gia into eleven congressional districts.
Mr. NJ. Herndon-To allow the re-
covery of the damages from the owner
of any animal running at large for
any damage that may be done.
BY Mr.. Harrell-To amend Section
IL of the political code regarding reg
istration.
A resolution was introduced by Mr..
Hitch of Chatham, relating to. the
death of Capt. r. H. Anderson of
Savannah, at Manila, were unanimous
ly passed by the House of Represen-
tatives this morning.
The resolution is asa follows:
Resolved, that the House learns
with deep regret OF the recent death of
Capt. Robert H. Anderson Of Georgia,
from sickness contracted in the line of
duty in the service of his country as
an officer of the. United States Army
in the Philippine Islands; distinguish
ed for his gallantry and chivalrous
manhood. respected and esteemed by
friends. for his death. is a distinct
loss to his country.
Resolved, further. that copy of
these resolutions be transmitted to his
widowed mother, to whom this House
extends it's deepest sympathy in her
grief over the loss of such a gallant
and distinguished son."
Capt. Anderson was mentioned in
Gen. Chaffee's report of "a few days
ago. as being one of the most gallant
officers in the march on Pekin, and
recommended that he be promoted to a
brevet majorship.
To Tax Insurance Companies.
Atlanta, Nov. S.-A bill will be IN
PRODUCED in the House tomorrow by
Mr.. Wright of Floyd to increase the
tax on fire and life insurance COM
panieS and surety com panfes from !