Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-08
THREE DAYS PROCEEDINGS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GEORGIA

ments for the striking out Of the clause,
both averring that 1t was unfair and un-
Just to place an occupation tax upon these
corporations, besides assessing an ad
velorum tax municipal tax and other tax.
Murphy Gambler, OF DeKalb, made
strong appeal for the passage Of the
clause saying that home corporations had
to come in contact with these foreign cor
porations and that ii was only right to
impose a tax upon them. He said that
New York had a system of taxing corpo-
rations which assessed an occupation tax
upon foreign corporations.
Mr.. Slaton, of Fulton, made strong ap-
peal to the members from the rural coun-
ties to vote down the proposed tax. He
said that the people of the cities were al
ready paying one-half of the taxes of the
state and that it was manifestly unfair
to impose upon them by driving these for
eign corporations from these cities. He
contended that foreign corporations were
spending money in Georgia and that they
would be driven from the state II these
heavy occupation taxes were imposed.
The measure was, however, passed by
the house, the aye and nay vote being
IA to &C.
Sections 20, q, %, %, "A and 3. providing
for the manner and time for returning
and paying taxes; for the printing Of lists
of taxable property, and for penalties for
including all marble and bronze metal
passed without discussion by the house
without further debate.
Section l of the general tax act, fixing
the tax rate of the state for the fiscal
year of 1903 was then taken up for con-
sideration.
Mr. Hall, of Bibb, called up his amend
ment, providing that 31S mills be stricken
out of the bill and All mills be inserted.
making the state tax $50 mills. Mr.. Hall
said he hated to undertake to raise the
state taxes, but that the state would face
a big deficit at the end of the year and
only way to stop the legislature from
making such large appropriations was to
increase the tax rate and make it felt
at home.
He said that the additional 80 mills call
ed for by his amendment would according
to the chairman of the ways and means
committee, be just sufficient to pay of
this deficit and end the year without de-
felt.
Mr.. Reid, OF Campbell, chairman Of the
ways and means committee, said that
there would be a deficit, but he strenuous
ly opposed the increasing of the general
state taxes. He said that the members of
the legislature knew they would face
deficit when they increased the general
appropriations and when they refused to
increase the tax on pool-selling, dealers
On the Hall amendment an aye and nay
vote was called and the effort to raise
the state taxes met with an overwhelming
defeat at the hands of the members. the
vote being III to 4. The four members
who voted for increase in the tax rate
were Messrs. Crumley, Gauldman, Hall
and Hixon OF Sumter.
The general tax was then passed and
will be mills.
A sensation was Spr11np nv the nasqaua
Of an amendment making the tax act ap-
plicaible for both 19O3-1904. At the early
part of the session, resolution was pass
ed making the general appropriation and
general tax bills applicable for only one
year.
AS soon as the tax rate had been fixed
Mr.. Grice, of Pulaski, moved to amend by
adding 1904 to the words 1903 This would
make the general tax applicable. BY a
vote Of 66 to p the amendment was pass
ed.
Mr.. Hall Immediately moved to reconsid-
er and then the flibustering began for
good. For thirty minutes the house wran-
gled, refused to vote, left the hall. Speak
or Morris finally ordered the doors locked
and refused to allow any member to leave
the hall.
A roll call showed that there were III
members present on the floor.
Mr.. Calvin's Amendment.
The amendment proposed by Mr.. Cal
win, of Richmond, when section is was be-
ing perfected, and again on a motion TO
reconsider, was as follows:
Provided That the occupation tax re-
duired by this section shall not be exacted
of any foreign corporation, doing business
in this state, whose ad valorem taxes on
property located in this state and owned
and operated by said corporation, equals
or exceeds the amount OF said occupa-
ton tax"
Mr. Calvin, of Richmond. opposing the
committees amendment to the general
tax bill, which latter proposes gradua-