The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-30
EIGHT COUNTIES
MAY BE ADDED
HOUSE ADVOCATES CHANGE
IN THE CONSTITUTION, PERMITTING
AN INCREASE.

Some of the Legislators Wanted
Fifteen New Counties - Among
These Were Chatham Representa-
tives-If Senate Agrees with the
House, the Proposed Amendments
VIII Be Voted Upon by the Peo-
pie.
Atlanta, June 29.-Eight new coun-
ties for Georgia is the proposition con-
tained in bill which was passed by
the House this morning by vote of
$50 to 2.
There appears to be crying need
for new counties in South Georgia and
the House was willing to provide for
eight new ones, but beyond that it
would not so. The bill, which was
introduced by Messrs. Cromartie of
Appling, Shannon of Monroe and Sim
gletary of Thomas, provided for an
amendment to the constitution striking
out paragraph 2, section i. article IL,
and inserting the following:
There shall not be more than $50
counties in this state"
The present constitutional limitation
as is well known is 137.
The bill came up as the special order
at IL o'clock. Mr.. Slaton of Fulton
proposed an amendment making the
number las, and Mr.. Connor Of Barlow
proposed to make it 140 Both of
these amendments were defeated. Mr..
Hall of Bibb said he regretted the
defeat of the Slaton amend
ment, because he thought the
people would vote to allow eight
thirteen. He felt that way about 1t
himself, he said, and would have to
vote against the bill unless the Slaton
amendment was adopted
For Thirteen New Counties.
Mr.. Cromartie of Appling moved
reconsideration of the action on the
Slaton amendment because he feared
without it the bill would be defeated.
Mr. Slaton said his amendment had
been introduced as one friendly to the
bill. The matter had been talked over,
he said. and there seemed to be neces-
sity at the present time for about six
new counties and no more. He was
opposed to opening the way for new
counties to be established for purely
political purposes.
Mr.. Stovall of Chatham made a
strong appeal for thirteen new coun-
( ties. He declared the measure was Of
vital Importance to South = Georgia,
which was largely swampy waste
when the present constitution was
adopted, but it is now an El Dorado.
the empire Of the Empire State Of
the South"
Messrs Cam of Chatham. Evans OF
Washington, and Gross of McDufsle, all
spoke strongly for thirteen new coun-
ties Mr. Knight of Berrien and Mr..
Hall of Bibb. declared against thirteen
and in favor Of eight. Mr.. Cam said II
was apparent that those opposing thir-
teen counties had enough votes to de-
feat the bill I'm case that number was
insisted on In the interest Of the sue
cess OF the measure, therefore, he said
It would be wise to accept the Slaton
amendment.
Action Reconsidered.
Action on the Slaton amendment was
reconsldered and amendment passed
making the total number OF counties
l45. In that shape the bin was passed
by the required constitutional mai jor-
ity, the only votes against n being cast
by Messrs. Booth and Lawrence OF
Walton The measure. II passed by the
Senate. win be submitted 10 the people
for ratification At the October election.
Just after the reading Of the House
Journal Mr. Alexander ~ Wilkes pre-
senfed Speaker N. A. Morris with a
handsome mahogany Rayel made from
a piece 81 rail- from the ola Heard
house 81 Washington. Ca h which
President Jefferson Davis stopped in hig
nigbf and where be had the last meet
ing with HE cabinet This old house
Continued on glfth Pace.