The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-10
SENTIMENT FOR
BALLOT REFORM
IS STRONG IN LEGISLATURE
SAYS MR. p. A. STOVALL IN SPEAK
ING OF BALLOT REFORM BILL.

Decision of Supreme Court in Sus-
tanning Injunction Had Somewhat
Dampening Efect-BilI Is Now in
Committee of Whole Many
Amendments offered Have Left
Bill in Chaotic State-DiscussiOn
Will he Resumed Tomorrow
Morning.
The Beauchamp bill and the bill
seeking to introduce the Australian
ballot were the chief features before
the General Assembly last week. The
Beauchamp bill, which was first re-
ported favorably, then referred to the
committee, was reported unfavorably.
Mr.. P. A. StovaH, in speaking of the
matter, said
'The principal objection to the Beau
champ bill seemed to be that it would
take business from the Georgia cities
which were not in dry counties and
transfer it to cities in Florida, Ala
bama and other neighboring states.
No law prohibiting the shipment of
liquor from another state to a Geor-
gia dry county could be passed, as
that would be In restriction of inter-
state commerce.
1.-THE Beauchamp bill was introduced
as a means towards stopping certain
abuses which it is claimed nave been
practiced. The dry counties further
desired to be dry counties in every
sense of the word. The desire to keep
hot 1gfr ~, o. to
and not transfer it to the cities of
other states is what defeated the bill
in the committee"
Australian Ballot Bill.
The Australian ballot bill, as has
been stated in the dispatches, IS now
in the hands of the House 3s a Com
mittee of the Whole. There have been
a large number of amendments cFfer-
ed to it, and the decision of the SUI
preme Court sustaining the injunction
to prohibit a county from paying for
the state election had a depressing eff
feet. In discussing this bill Mr.. Sto-
vail said:
There have been so many amend
ments offered to the original bill that
everything appeared to be in q state of
almost chaos when 1 left Atlanta. The
bill has not yet been acted upon, and
of the Whole.
THE sentiment in Atlanta is strong
ly for a reform in the methods of vot-
ing. The discussion arises Ion the
differing views as to just which method
is the best for the purpose. The Aus
tralian ballot law is recognized as 4
good one, though the number OF amend
ments show where members think i'm
provements could be made anc where
changes are necessary.
Sentiment Is for Reform.
THE decision of the Supreme Court
in the injunction case restraining a
county from paying the expenses of a
state election had a somewhat dam
pening effect on the bill. 1t was
handed down just at time when the
discussion of the bill was at its hight
and the effect was, therefore, all the
more noticeable.
1.-THE sentiment, however, is strong
judges are elected by the people
makes pure ballot laws essential The
sentiment of the legislators is strong
ly for reform and the only point in
doubt seems to be as to just what is
the best way to proceed"
Besides these two bills little of spe-
cial interest to Savannahians was
transacted last week. The other bust
ness before the General Assembly has
been fully covered in the dispatches to
the Morning News. On Monday morn
ing the consideration of the ballot re-
form bill will be again taken up by
the Committee of the Whole.