The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-08-13
L0BBY|NC|SPROVEN
Georgia Legislative Inyesti-
cation Grows Interesting.
MEMBER OFFERED BRIBE
War Of Words Between Representative
overstreet and Lawyer Fielder
and a Scrap in Committee
Room Narrowly Averted.

dnu d SSfoP w SS"~
Room Narrowly Averted.
The investigation Of charges Of lob
living held before a committee of the
Georgia legislature grows more inter-
esting.
Representative w. D. Mills, OF Cher
okee county, was offered $500 for his
vote on the child labor bill, the sensa'
tional war of words and almost hght
between Thomas B. Fielder, Jr., OF At
lanta, and Representative Overstreet,
of Screven, and the testimony OF Rep
resentative ]. P. knight, of Berrien,
shat he had seen whisky in the speak.
er's room were the main features
which came out at the session OF the
: obbying Investigating committee
at Atlanta Thursday morning.
No end Of excitement was created
when Representative Mills told OF hav-
ing been offered the sum Of $500 to
vote against the child labor bill, great
er excitement was created when T. B.
Fielder, Jr., and Representative Over
sctreet faced and glared at each other
during the session of the committee
over statements which were made, and
great interest was aroused again when
J. P. knight, representative from Ber-
rien, told of being approached by Mar
tin Amorous about his vote on the bill
to cause the Southern railway to ins
corporate under the laws Of Georgia.
Mr.. Mills, in his testimony. :aid he
had seen people on the floor OF the
house and senate not members. Dur
Ing the pending of the child bill" said
Mr.. Mills, 81 had two of my constitu-
ents to make personal appeals to me
to vote against the child labor bill.
They were stockholders in the mill at
my home, and said they thought it
best for the county that the bill
should not pass. At home l heard
from friends of mine that these par
ties had said if voted for the child
labor bill l would be defeated for the
senate if l ran. Yesterday heard
again that those parties had said they
would defeat me because l did not
vote against the BILL
Mr.. Mills said he was improperly ap-
preached once about the child labor
Z bill.
"This was last year just out of the
house. A young man came to me and
asked me how | stood on the bill 1T
present. l told him was for 1t. He
then said that the men who were fight
ing the measure would make it to my
financial interest to vote against the
bill and that would be given $500 to
vote for the bill"
T. B. Fielder, of Atlanta, when the
Z committee met said he had been nam
ed as a lobbyist and wanted to be
heard. Heswas allowed to. testify. He
began By saying he had read with
some surprise that Mr.. Overstreet had
nsmed him as one Of the lobbyists.
MI. Overstreet interrupted, saying he
had not termed anybody lobbyists, but
hid furnished names to the commit
tee to allow them to draw any conclu-
sions they might desire.
Mr. Fielder continued, saying ne
liyed at the Kimball in the winter and
atthe Sweetwater Park hotel at Lithia
In the summer. These were the only
houses he had. He had not thought it
wrong to take members as his guests
TO his house, especially in view Of the
factthae Mr.. overstreet had been en-
terfained at the Piedmont Driving
Glib by member of the Atlanta bar
and at the Capital City Club by an
other lawyer. :
When Mr.. Fielder stated that Mr..
Overstreet had been wined and dined
bySa member of the Atlanta bar in
company with other legislators, Mr..
Overstreet Strengthened up in his
chair and pointing his finger directly
at 9Mr. Fielder, who was about three
fe8 away, said:
TYou know d-n well that was not
wined and any man who says that !
was is a d-n liar"
q say it is true" said Mr. Fielder.
Mr.. Fielder rose in his seat and Mr..
OVerstreet did likewise. The two men
glared at each other. Then Mr.. Over
street started toward Mr. Fielder. He
was held back by Ferris Cam, a MEM
BET of the committee, who was sitting
directly behind him. -s.s-ss.<s aazsaz;
"I want the gentleman to under
stand 1 mean what say" said Mr.:
Feider.
sa want. the. gentleman to under
stand l mean exactly what l say, and
furthermore we can settle it right
here" replied Mr.. overstreet. Chair
man Hopkins raped loudly for or
der. Other members of the commit
tees interfered and declared that no
fighting should tax place in the com.
miaee room
Y.