The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-12-13
BY A VOTE OR SO TO l,1E MEAS.
URE WENT THROUGH
EASILY.
The C0MPTROLLER'S VIEWS
Bill as Passed is of Same Intent and
Effect as Gambler Bill Passed by
House-Howell Urges It's
Passage.

Atlanta, December 12-By the unus-
italy large vote OF Sc to the senate
yesterday passed the franchise tax
bill
The bill as passed is similar to the
measure introduced by Mr. Gambler, OF
DeKaln, as a substitute tor the Reid
bill, having the full intent and effect
of the Gambler bill, though a number
of amendments were ADOPTED before
the measure went through.
The franchise tax bill, in brief. de
fines franchises as taxable property
and provides they shall be returned to
the comptroller general, who shall col
lect taxes on them, ad valorem, the
same as is now the case with railroad,
telegraph and telephone companies.
All day long the senate was at work
on the measure and it was late in the
afternoon before it was put in shape for
passage. Interest in me action of the
senate was intense The floor of the
senate was crowded all day with anx-
ions Spectators. and many occupied
seats In the gallery.
The debate was centered largely
upon the amendments offered by the
committee. though many brief
speeches were made on the merits 0
the biil
The two senators who voted against
the measure were Senator Paul Tur-
ner, OF the twenty-nintA. and Senator
j. Rice Smith. of the hegeighteenth, and
Senator Smith was the only one who
made a speech against the measure.
President Howell on two occasions
took the floor In the interests of ths
measure. and strongly urged its pas
sage.
Comptroller General Called.
The franchise tax pill, as reportc
by the committee, came up as the spe-
cial order Immediately after the read
ing of the journal, and was debated
until 12:45 o'clock. AT that time sew
eral members of the senate sent for
Comptroller General w, A. Wright and
an informal conference was held in the
presidents room
AS a result of the conference Sen
ator Shelton offered as substitute for
the committees report two bills,
which he announced were prepared
'under the direction of the comptroller
general himself, and both of which
met tSat official approval
When this announcement was made
by Senator Shelton, President Howell
left the cnair and stated it was due
the senate that direct expression
should come to the senate from the
comptroller general. President How.
ell, therefore, thought the proper
course would be for the senate to adj
journ until O'Clock, anu in the mean
time to instruct the finance committee
to summon the comptroller general be
fore it and to report back to the sen
ate either the expression of the comp
toller generals views or a bill based
upo nhis opinion. The president moved
mat the franchise tax bill be made the
continuing special order upon the re
assembling OF the senate at O'Clock
and tnat the senate vote on the ques
4 tion before the adjournment of the af
ternoon session.
| Acting on the suggestion OF the pres
ident the senate adjourned and the fl
nance committee was called TO ordei
in the secretarys room at o'clock
The committee continued in -sessi55l
until 1880 O'Clock, not even stopping
for dinner Comptroner Genera
i Wright being with the committe,
Throughout the session.