The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-04-19
LEGISLATIVE
PROCEEDINGS


SENATE, THURSDAY, APRIL, IL, 1907.
The Senate was called to order at 10
o'clock. President Harris in the chair
Thirty senators answered TO the roll
call.
Senator Henderson moved the recon-
sideration of the vote by which senate
bill No. 1873 was defeated yesterday.
This is the bill that required the secre-
tary of state to furnish quarters for
such state officials as now occupy the
the third floor of the capitol building
during each session Of the legislature,
so that these offices may be used for
COMMITTEES rooms for the senate and
house. The president moved that the
motion must 90 over under the rule;
and the building Of an addition to our
capitol or erection of supreme court
building win doubtless be discussed to-
morrow.
Senate concurrent resolution No. 9
was introduced by Senator Hudson,
providing for committee OF two from
the senate and three from the house, to
investigate as to the feasibility of al,
addition to the capitol, or additional
buildings, and if such were feasible to
report a bill covering the suggestions.
Senator Grill stated he understood
that a bill providing for the purpose
covered in the resolution had been pre-
pared. On motion of Senator Hudson
the resolution took the usual course
pending the introduction Of this bill.
Senate concurrent resolution No. 10,
by Senator Cone, relative to appoint
n1ent Of committee to investigate the
holdings of the state at Lake City,
known as the former University OF
Florida, and with an estimated value of
$3.50, 900, and to report to the legisla-
ture by bill
Thirteen bills were introduced, run
ming from l44 to 155, inclusive.
Under consideration of resolutions on
second reading, senate concurrent reso-
luton No. 8, requiring the distribution
Of the acts relating to public roads, etc,
to various county officials, was adopted
unanimously.
"A message was received from the
governor transmitting the report of the
commissioners to examine into the In
dian war claims. On motion the mes
sage and report were ordered printed in
the journal, and 200 copies ordered
printed.
The message from the house of rep
resentatives, again transmitting the
house concurrent resolution No. /,
known as the investigating resolution,
with the rejection by the house of the
second senate amendment, was received
and read, together with the request
from the house that the senate recede
from its amendment. Senator Beard
moved that the senate refuse to recede
from it's position, Incorporating in his
motion a request from the senate to the
house for the appointment Of COM
mittee of conference,
Senator Beard spoke eloquently upon
his resolution declaring that without
the rejected amendment, W ich gave
the committee power to employ counsel
and expert accountants, the committee
would be almost powerless-and that
without the power given by the amend
ment we might as well not have an in
vestigation. He said, further, that only
an investigation conducted along the
lines proposed in his original resolution
could or would satisfy the people. He
reiterated the report Of charges made
in the last seven years, and not only
then, but in the years preceding, and
that it was due the people and also the
board of trustees of the internal i'm
proVement fund themselves. Charges
have been made time and time again,
and now il the senate recedeS from its
position the only power the committee
would have would be the purchase of g
little blotting paper, pens, ink, etc.
Senator Beard said it was necessary &c
have a conference with the other house
so that this committee could agree on Z
measure that would grant full powers tC
the committee.
Senator Adams, in reply to Senator
Beard, said that he believed that al
other senators were anxious for this in
vestigation, and that this investigation
be thorough and complete and made al
early as possible. He did not altOgetheI
agree with the senator Of the Second
however, that the rejected senate
amendment was so absolutely neces
sary, and that the resolution as it nov
stood would give the committee all thu
wpecessary power and authority. HI
said further that If the cQmmitte'
found during their investigation the!
needed further power that measure
could at once be railroaded through tn,
legislature, and all and everything the.
wanted would be given them. But h
still thought the resolution Was broaI
and sweeping now, and that this latte
course was not necessary. Senator lin
agreed with Senator Adams, and sal
nohconcurrence would only lead to de
lay. and also contended the house reso
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