The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-05
NAMES WERE GIVEN
uANY WITNESSES TO APPEAR IN
LOBBYING INVESTIGATION.
R. M. HITCH is AMONG THEM.
~vuAT HE is EXPECTED TO PROVE
NOT ANNOUNCED.

nm Iist-Two Sessions of Joint
legislative Committee Held, but
no startling Evidence Adduced
Party of Legislators Entertained
nv It. Il. Fielder, Jr., at Lithia
sDrings-Charge Made That Out
siders Are Permitted on Floor.
Atlanta, Aug. 4.-The lobby investiga-
zion bv the Joint legislative committee
&c nroving the sensation of the day,
though nothing of a very serious nature
has so far been brought to light. The
feature that has attracted most atten-
tion was the appearance before the
committee to-day of Hon. E. K. Over
street of Screven, and the furnishing
NV him of a list of names of attorneys
representing corporations who have ap-
Deared frequently in legislative halls
The committee held morning and aft
ernoon sessions and considerable inter-
esting testimony was adduced. The
names of attorneys and representatives
of corporations furnished the committee
bv Mr.. Overstreet included Thomas B.
Fielder, Jr, attorney for the Postal Tel
egraph Company: Hamilton McWhor-
ter. advisory counsel, and Albert How
ell of counsel for the Southern Rail-
way; James w English, Jr., convict
lessee; John u. Little, former speaker
of the House; Jack j. Spalding, attor-
ney for the Georgia Industrial Associ-
alton, and others.
Fielder Paid Expenses.
TaIJ
had entertained party of legislators
at Lithia Springs, last Sunday and
said he had been informed by the no.
tel clerk that Mr.. Fielder had paid all
expenses of the party.
The list of witnesses to be summoned
before the committee besides those
mentioned already as having been
given by Mr.. Overstreet includes
Robert NJ Hitch, former representative
from Chatham, though it is not stated
what it is expected to prove by him.
Then there is a large number of mem
bers of the General Assembly to be
called on.
1t is evident from the trend of the
investigation that the charges of lob
bying are to be inquired into as affect
ing the Child Labor bill, the Convict
bill and the Uniform Text Book Dill.
Another thing the investigation has
brought out is that many outsiders
who have no rights there are allowed
to come and go at Will on the noors
of the House and the Senate. Not one
of the witnesses examined, however,
has furnished any definite informa-
ton. Several have stated what they
heard, but nobody has made POSITIVE
assertion tending to incrlmlnate any
person.
Information Was Hearsay.
James r. Gray, editor of the Atlanta
Journal, was the first witness. ne
was closely questioned about an edl-
torial of July 20, in which loppylhg
was charged and denounced. Mr.. Gray
admitted that he had no positive in
formation and stated the editorial was
based on the charges made on the floor
of the House by Representative Over
street and Tigner. His conclusions ne
said were based entirely upon common
rumors. Speaking of card opposing
the uniform text book bill publish
ed in his paper. he said it was paid
for by County School Commissioner
Farley of Harris county.
Mr.. OVerStreet was the next witness.
He furnished the committee with the
names already mentioned. Mr.. Over
street said Judge McWhOrter had TAX
en- an active interest in the election of
Speaker Morris. He had seen Judge
McWhorter, Mr.. Fielder and Mr.. AL
bert Howell, around the House when
tax questions were up for considera-
ton. He also mentioned having seen
Judge Foy of Effingham county, whose
company works convicts, on the floor
of the House when the convict question
was up. He also thought he saw James
East, a convict lessee, and 7. r. Fell
orr tI1Io to Mr nf
the defeat of the convict substitute.
He had seen Roland Ellis of Macon
around the House last session when the
franchise tax act was up. Mr.. Ellis,
had since been selected as an arbitra
tor on the tax returns of railroad
corporation.
Mr.. Overstreet, then gave the names
OF several members of the Legislature,
several county school commissioners,
ana others in addition to those already
stated whom he asked to be summoned.
he was granted permission to be pres
ent when these witnesses are exam
ined.
Witness Examined.
Hon. Morgan Rawls of Effingbam
was the next witness. He testified
70 having seen Mr.. F'oy of bingham
on the floor of the House, but said he
Aad not talked with him about the
convict bill here. He had talked with
NIr' roy at home and told him he faV
osed the old system. Hon. E. r. Jones
VI Dougherty denied all knowledge of
opDying. The only instance in which
anyone had said anything to him, he
stated, was when Mr.. Pendleton had
asked him to vote for the Macon an
HeNation bill, and others had made
lar requests relating to contested
local measures.
senator Perry said he had no knowl-
euse of any lobbying in an Illegal
seHSe Hon. w. E. Steed of Taylor
Salq he had never held a conference
win Jim English, Jr., but in con-
.ersatlon once Mr.. English told him
me present convict system was the
oest' as thirty-five states had adopted
-. lie knew of no member having
Deen approached with a view to in
Huencing him to vote.
JAKE Moore, warden of the peniten-
uary, and Ben Pearson, transfer
eudrd' said they had talked on the
oonVlct question, expressing their
Iplllon' as they had a right to do but
hau never sought to influence a mem
per. MIR. Spence Of Ware, Mr.. Black
urn or Fulton, Mr.. George of Morgan,
NJ ~ Grlce of Pulaski, Mr.. Franklin of
dshlngton and MIR. Hicks of Laurens
Ire all examined on the same line.
~ stated they had seen outsiders on
tle moor Of the House talking to mem
- out they knew nothing definite.
iact nothing definite was brought
M outside Of what has been stated.
~ investigation will be continued to-