The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-27
THREE WEEKS TERM
 OF LEGISLATION Georgia Lawmakers Have Busy
 Session Ahead MANY CONVICT MEASURES Fght Will Be Made Over Holder Blll To Settle the Convict Question,
 Legislators Are Not Set
 tied Upon Plans.
MANY CONVICT MEASURES

Atlanta, August 25.-(Special. )-Many members express the opinion that there is little likelihood of the general assem- bly,. which met in extra session today for the purpose of taking action relative to the disposition of the states convlcts, getting through with its work under three weeks, which will bring adjournment about the middle of September. Some or those who have taken foremost interest in the convict question set September To as the date of adjournment.
 It looks now as if it is going to be a fight between the Holder bill, which passed the house at the regular session, and some other bill-almost any other bill-to prevent the Holder bill from pass ing. On the one hand it is charged that Chairman John Holder and his commlt- tee are suffering from too much commit tee pride in their measure; on the other if is charged that Senator T. S. Fielder of the Twenty-second and a few others are opposed to the enactment of any law without their names on it, if there is any possibility of getting them there
 The two weeks recess between the reg ular and the extra sessions has not served to clarity the atmosphere to any great extent. The committee which has been Investigating the penitentiary system mas made its report, but the general assembly knows little if anything more as a result of it than it knew some two weeks be- fore the regular session adjourned. The inquiry at that time had brought prac- tically all the facts to light
 Another thing which has served to clog up the situation is that during the brief vacation a number of members have been at work on their pet ideas for solving the convict problem, and have in many instances embodied them in the form or bills which cannot, of course, be ig- nored.
 The house will, no doubt, consider these various measures in committee or the whole instead of referring them to the penitentiary committee, the object being to save time. But going into committee of the whole takes the bridle off or de- bate, and as this is the last chance the nresent members will have to hear them- selves talk. there Is little doubt they will make the most of it.
 There is no limit upon the time dur ing which the general assembly may remain in session, and as Governor Smith has taken the responsibility for the extra session, there Is, of course, no special reason why the legislature should hurry. The limited scope of its work and the natural desire of many members to have a finger in it will un- doubtedly, it is thought, have the re- suit of prolonging the extra session be- yond the time at which it might ad- iourn If it got right down to business with a determination to finish as quick ly as possible.
 The prediction made by certain mem- bers, therefore, that the session will hardly adjourn before September 15. ap- hears to be a reasonable one. The ex- pense to the state at that rate will probably be somewh ere between $30,0ot and $40. 900.
 Governor Smiths message, which he sent to the legislature today, points out certain general lines upon which he would like to see the convict legis- lation proceed. The legislature may ol