The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-25
USE OF CONVICTS
NOT YET DECIDED UPON BY THE
HOUSE.
WILL BE A VOTE TUESDAY.
TROUBLESOME QUESTION MAY
THEN BE SETTLED.

Tint Counties May Work Their
COnVicts Whose Terms Are 10
Years or Less, and That They May
Obtain Other COnvicts on the Same
Terms as Private individuals.
Other Matters Passed Upon.
Atlanta, July 24.-As the result Of
to-days brief discussion of the convict
question, it was finally postponed I'M
til next Tuesday, when vote will be
taken on the Steed bill amendments
and substitutes for the resolution
provides that debate must cease at IL
O'Clock on that day.
There was no attempt this morning
at renewal of the filibustering meth
DDS of yesterday. The House held
down the call for the previous ques-
ton and other motions were with
drawn. Some thirty or forty amend
ments and substitutes were read, the
most important being a substitute by
about twenty-five members of the
House, including Mr. Stovall of Chat
ham, which is known as the Gambler
compromise.
Many of the adherents of the Steed
bill to re-enact the present plan will
join in urging the passage of this
measure. 1t provides that such coun-
tets as elect to do so may work on the
roads all of their felony convicts
whose terms are ten years or less, and
that if they should desire more con-
victs, they may obtain them on the
same terms as private individuals.
This bill fixes an upset price of SIS
per month, or $3.50 per year, for the
convicts, and prohibits sub-leasing of
convicts. There is a strong sentiment
against sub-leasing and a general de-
sire to fix an upset price, since the
Prison Commission says it can prob
ably secure $3.50 a year for the men.
Mr. Cam of Chatham also intro
duced a substitute, giving the counties
the right to use convicts whose terms
are under 5 years, provided they pay
$40 a month for them.
After all these amendments and
substitutes had been read. Mr.. Steed
introduced a resolution, which was
carried, providing that the whole mat
ter should go over until Tuesday
morning, Immediately after the reading
of the journal, and that the previous
question shall be called at IL o'clock.
This will bring the question to a vote
before noon.
To Look Into Land Systems.
Following the disposition of this
question the House adopted a joint
resolution by Mr.. Fielder of Bibb. pro-
viding for the appointment of a COM
mission of two from the Senate, three
from the House and three members Of
the bar, to investigate a system for
the registration of land titles, partic-
ularly the Torren's system, and report
to the next session. The appointment
of such a commission was recommend
ed by Gov. Terrell in a recent message,
as the result of a request from the
Georgia Bar Association.
Special Orders Fixed.
The only other business transacted
by the House was the adoption of the
report of the Committee on Rules. The
committee suggested that only depart
mental bills and bills of great impor-
lance be fixed as special orders, on ac-
count of the length of the calendar.
The House, however fixed several spe-
cial orders for next week. Among
them is the Dunbar resolution, appro
priating $50, 900 for a Georgia exhibit at
st. Louis. which comes up Tuesday aft
err the convict question is disposed Of.
The uniform text bill was made the
special order for Wednesday.
Mr.. Stovalls resolution. appropriat-
ing $4,000 for the completion of the
Winnie Davis memorial at Athens, was
made a special order for Wednesday
also.
Aimed at StOwaways.
Mr.. Cam of Chatham introduced a
bill in the House to-day to make it a
misdemeanor for tramps and stow
aways to steal rides in vessels enter
ing or leaving Georgia ports.
Mr.. Wilson of Clay introduced a bill
to require counties to pay the expenses
of all primary elections.
Mr.. Dunbar of Richmond introduced
a bill providing that the elections for
justices of the peace, constables and
all other county officers shall take
place on the same day on which the
Governor and members of the Legisla-
ture are elected.
Gale Named for Judge.
Gov. Terrell to-day sent to the SEN
ate the nomination of Hon. A. b. Gale
TO De Judge Oh the ClIy court Oh bTunS-
wick. This nomination puts an end
to a lively three cornered contest that
has been waged with Judge Gale. Hon.
CORTLAND Symmes and Hon. r. d.
Meader as the aspirants. The contest
has attracted much interest in Bruins
wick.
Senate Is Well Up.
The Senate is well up with it's work.
To-day it passed the bill of Senator
Smith, giving street railroad companies
the authority to take up and remove
their tracks by permission of the city
authorities in cities, or the country au-
thorities, when the line is in the coun-
try, outside the city.
Thomas County Game.
The bill of Senator Hopkins, prohib-
iting hunting or fishing on private
grounds in Thomas county, without the
written consent of the owners of the
land. was passed.
Heard John Allen Talk.
Shortly after II o'clock to-day the
in the hall of the House to hear he
address of Private John Allen of Mis-
sissippi. government commissioner for
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, on
the subject of the coming worlds fair.
The galleries and hall of the House
were crowded to their capacity. Mr..
Allen delivered one of his chaIa cteris-
tic addresses, filled with wit and
humorous stories. He strongly uged
upon Georgia the Importance of making
a creditable display at the coming ex-
position.