The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-20
TAKES IN PRIMARY
THE NEW BALLOT LAW COVERS
ALL ELECTIONS.
ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE.
AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM OF VOTING IN
HIGH FAVOR.

Members Seem Anxious TO Throw
Around the Primary All the Safe
Guards That Are Given the Regu-
lar ElectiOn-BiII Perfected in
Committee of the WhOIe-Senate
Will Probably Accept IL as 1t
stands-What Was Done in House
and Senate at Atlanta Yesterday.
Atlanta, Nov. 19-The Australian
ballot bill, by DR.. T. j. M. Kelly of
Representatives to-day. by a good
safe majority, the vote standing on
the roll call, SO to 80.
The measure now goes to the Sen
ate, where it is said it is in high favor
and win probably be passed by that
body within the next week. and sent
to the Governor for his approval.
The bill went through the House
with remarkably little debate, only
two or three short speeches being
made, and practically all of these were
in it's favor. The consideration of the
measure was had in Committee of the
Whole, with Mr.. Fielder of Bibb in the
chair, and 1t was amended by the
committee until it was gotten in as
near perfect shape as possible.
The most important amendments
that We're adopted made the bin APP
plicable in all of it's features to pri-
mary elections as well as to all reg
ular elections-state, county, munich
pal and national. The members SEEM
cd tl,,f h. e-1~ -
should be thrown around the primary
as are given other elections.
Most of the time was consumed in
offering amendments and explaining
the tenor and effect of them. Then
each section was adopted separately
BY the committee, and the bill was put
in such shape that when it went back
to the House, nothing remained to be
done but to adopt the amendments,
and then vote on the bill.
When the Committee of the Whole
had finished its work. DIR. Kelly moved
that 1t report the bill back with the
recommendation that it be passed as
amended.
Mr.. knight of Berrien, offered as a
substitute that the bill be reported I'M
favorably. Mr.. knights motion was
lost, and the favorable report was
then adopted.
back and the report of the committee
had been adopted. Mr.. West of Lown-
des, spoke against the bill He argued
that 1t contemplated important legis-
lation, and that the members had not
had time to properly consider 1t. At
the conclusion of his remarks he
moved that the bill be tabled. The
motion was lost by vote of 70 to As.
Called for the Vote.
DR.. Kelly wanted the measure to
come to a vote. and decided to make
no argument. The vote then followed.
with the result stated. the passage of
the bill by SO to 80. Messrs. Cam.
Stovall and Harden of Chatham. ali
voted for the bill.
DR.. Kelly's bill contemplates the in
PRODUCTION of the Australian ballot
system into all elections held in Geor-
gia. This is the secret method
of conducting elections by which
the voter is so hedged around with
safeguards that no one need know how
he votes; nor can he who would pur-
chase another's vote know for certain
that the goods are delivered.
The bill applies this system to all
elections held in the state. whether
primaries, state or county. or muni-
cipal elections 1t provides for an cleo
ton superintendent in each county,
three managers and three clerks at
each polling place, the number of poll
ing places, the form of ticket how IL
literate and disabled persons shall be
assisted in voting. how the secret
booths with covered ways to the ballot
boxes shall be constructed. and all the
details necessary to put the measure
into effect. 1t is in part. modelled af-
ter some of the most satisfactory laws
on this line now in operation in other
states. 1t is provided that the meas
ure shall not interfere with any of
Georgias registration laws, and that it
shall go into effect July 1, 1908.
Session of the Senate.
The Senate had another busy session
to-day. Eight bills were passed, a
number Of House and Senate bills were
read second time and two new
measures were introduced
One Of the most important bills pass
ed was that by Senator Perry, OF the
Thirty-third district, which seeks to
encourage trolley companies TO build
suburban lines with a view 10 deyelop-
Ing country districts. The measure pro-
Hides for an amendment exemptine
street railroads from the provisions
OF that section OF the Code which stlp-
nlates that whore a railroad has a
line IN operation another road cannot
build parallel line within ten miles
81 the existing line, except for the
initial ten miles
oi the bills introduced, that by Sen.
otoF Clements OF the Fifteenth District