The Savannah morning news., 1903-07-17
DEBATE ON CONVICTS
FELDER'S BILL TO HAVE THEM
WORK ON ROADS.
DISCUSSED BY THE HOUSE.
1T is EXPECTED A VOTE WILL BE
TAKEN TODAY.

ROads-ThOse Opposing the Bill
Urge That This Would Cut Down
the Public school Fund-Provi-
siOns of the BiII-Other LegfsIa-
ton Accomplished or Proposed.
Atlanta, July 16.-The entire session
of the House to-day was given up to
the discussion of the bill by Mr.. Fielder
of Bibb, which proposes to give to each
county in the state the right to work
its own felony convicts on the public
roads, if it desires to do so.
Mr.. Fielder opened the debate in be-
half of the bill. explaining its provls-
ions. Messrs. Flynt of Spalding and
Mitchell of Thomas also spoke in be-
half of the measure, while Messrs.
Little of Hancock. Kelly of Glascock
and Moses of Coweta made arguments
against it. While it was generally con-
coded that it would be a good thing 10
improve the roads, it was argued
against the bill that the larger coun-
ties of the state would obtain prac-
tically all of the advantage. because
they furnish most of the convicts. 1t
was also urged with some force that
the common school fund is small
enough now. and that it will not do TO
cut it down by $4,000 1t is expected
to get $685. a year for the school
fund. out of the new lease, if one is
made.
Such counties as do not desire to
work their own convicts shall turn
them over to the Prison Commission to
be leased out for short terms, but
these counties have the privilege of
securing them for road work when
ever they desire. at the expiration of
such leases.
Counties which have not a sufficient
force of convicts with which to work
their roads, may make requisition on
the Prison Commission for the number
desired, and the commission is requir-
ed to furnish them. The fund arising
from the hire of such convicts as are
turned over to the Prison Commission
for the purpose, is to be set aside as a
prison fund to be used for buying
farm lands on which to work the con-
victS which are not worked by the
counties on the roads, the double OBJ
! ject being ultimately to remove the
| convicts as far as possible from COM
petition with free labor, and to improve
! the public highways of the state.
Mr.. Fielder states that under his bill
the convicts can be worked on the
public roads without a dollars expense
to the state. the only loss being about
$4,000 a year, which now goes to the
common school fund, which is more
than $1,500,0O0 annually. He is conf
dent, however. that the great good to
result from the Improvement of the
roads will more than compensate for
what he considers will be only the tenn
porary diversion of this amount from
the schools.
The debate on the bill will be con-
cluded tomorrow morning, and under
the rules adopted the previous dues-
ton will be called at IL o'clock and
vote taken about half an hour later
If this bill fails to pass, the other
measures relating to the disposition Of
the convicts will come up next week.
school Book Uniformity.
The House this morning reconsider
ed its action in defeating yesterday the
Senate resolution providing for an ex-
tension of the present school book
contracts in the various counties of
the state for two years, or until the
question of uniformity of school books
can be determined. The House Jour-
nal showed that this resolution was
passed, and it was so announced The
resolution received 81 votes, and it
was thought at the time that a con-
stitutional majority was not necessary.
Speaker Morris ruled this morning
that the resolution changes an exist
ing law and required a constitutional
majority. The Journal, therefore, had
to be corrected, showing the defeat
OF the resolution, which action was re-
considered.
For Slow Automobiles.
Mr.. Rawls of Effingham introduced a
bill in the House to-day, the object of
which is to prohibit the running of
automobiles and motor vehicles of all
kinds over the Augusta and Monteitn
roads between Effingham county and
the city of Savannah. He declares
these machines interfere materially
with the traffic of the farmers
Eases on Franchise Taxes
The Senate held a short session to-
day, adjourning after passing four
bills. One of the bills passed was by
Senator Davis and provides that cor
porations subject to franchise tax,
which already pay special taxes under
agreement or under other laws, and
which are in the nature of franchise
taxes. shall be exempt from franchise
taxes TO the extent of such special
taxes. This measure will, If passed.
relieve the Georgia Railway and Elec-
trio Company, for instance, from fran
chise taxes to the extent of the spe-
cial taxes on gross receipts now paid
TO the city of Atlanta under previous
agreement. The Senate and House re-
fused last wear to incorporate this
provision in the bill.
other Bills Passed.
The Senate also passed bills by Sena-
tor Comas, providing for an issue of
bonds by Pierce county for school pur-
poses; by Senator Shelton to prevent
the manufacture of spirituous liquors
in Hart county. and by Senator Sweat,
to create a new charter for the town of
Nichols.
For Confederate Board.
The General Judiciary Committee
this afternoon recommended favorably
the bill by Senator Morris Of Cobb,
providing for the appointment of a
Confederate memorial board by the
Governor to take charge of all the Con-
federate cemeteries and burying
grounds in the state and TO see that
they are kept in good condition. A
committee of ladies and veterans from
Marietta appeared before the commit
tee TO urge the passage of the meas
ure.
On StovaII's Bill.
The General Appropriations Commit
tee of the House recommended favor
ably the bill by Mr.. Stovan Of Chat