Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-23
ANTI-PASS LAW IS
DUG UP FROM GRAVE
House Fights Bitterly on Hall Of
Bibb Measure Prohibiting Free
Passes-Augusta Can Issue
Bonds for Levees

vened Wednesday morning. The reading
OF those bills consumed the time until
1880 o'clock, hen the representatives
passed rapidly through the routine of re-
ports of committees and the reading Of a
number OF bills for the second time.
A new lease on life was given to tho
bill by Messrs. Hardman and Holder of
Jackson, and Vinson OF Baldwin, which
would require the registration of deaths
and births in the counties of the state.
This bill had been defeated Tuesday for
want of constitutional majority, though
IL received the support OF the majority OF
members who voted
| Ie was reconsidered, Wednesday, at the
instance of DR.. Hardman, and was re-
committed TO the committee on hygiene
and sanitation. 1t will come up again
and a strong effort will be made to push
II through,
4 The first bill TO pass was the reverse
i of the now famous 'filibuster bill" which
was used to hold the attention of the
house during four days of the prohibit
ton fight in the late summer of 1907
The "filibuster BILL" which had no real
| opposition at all. but was finally allowed
! to pass when it could be held no longer,
( created the city court of Hamilton, Har-
| ris county. The reverse of it, by Mr..
] Ellison Of Harris entitled an act to re-
| peal an act entitled an act to establish
the city court of Hamilton, in Harris
/ county" was passed by the house with
out further comment than a broad smile
Wednesday morning. the. vote being 100
to 0.
] TO PROTECT BOTTLERS.
The bill by Mr.. Alexander Of Fulton,
to protect bottlers OF soft drinks from the
loss Of their containers, came up. The
intent of the bin was to provide small
penalty for the violation of its terms.
which were based upon recognition of the
fact that bottlers do not sell their bottles
and cases. The bill bore the Endorsement
Of the Georgia Bottlers' association. 1t
had the favorable report of the commit
tee on manufactures.
Mr.. Alexander argued his bill. His ar
gument was challenged by Mr.. Persons of
Monroe, who later spoke against the bill.
Mr.. Tuggle of Troup also opposed the
bill in a speech.
A division was called on the viva voce
vote, and the report Of the committee
was disagreed to, The bill was therefore
lost.
AUGUSTA CITY BONDS.
The bill proposing constitutional
amendment to allow the city of Augusta
to issue bonds on it's waterworks and
canal system in order to get funds for
the building of levees to protect the city
from floods, was passed by a vote of 157
10 L. MI IHduc u HNTUIH SpCcEu
for the bill before the vote was taken.
The two members who voted against the
bill, Messrs. Hall of Bib and Middle
brook of Newton, explained their oppo-
sition briefly when they came to vote
Mr.. Hall of Bibb argued his bill, a
measure whose substance Is now ten
years old, a measure referred to as "the
original anti-pass bill, which prohibits
any telegraph, telephone, express or rail-
/ road Mas crn Ofinp fraa
to give any transportation, privilege to an
official of the government that the people
1 don't get. .,
BILL WAS WORTHLESS.
THE bill passed by congress was not
worth the paper It was written on" said
Mr.. Hall In the course of his argument.
He said that the bill had been up before,
that the house voted for 1t twice last
year, and 1t met it's death in the senate.
Mr.. Hall made sarcastic reference to the
railroad commissions orders on this
point, to the commissions attempt TO
usurp'' the authority of the legislature.
Mr.. Moss OF Cobb submitted an
amendment to the bill. providing that no
railroad company shall extend any cour--
tesies in the way of free transportation
to any person other than employees on it's
pay roll. Mr.. Moss argued his amend
ment.'
BARRETT OPPOSES BILL.
Mr.. Barrett Of Stephens spoke against
the bill. ito strip 1t OF all it's verbiage."
he SAID. land tell you what 1t means, If
you vote for this bill you vote for free
passes" Mr.. Barrett argued that the bill
had an Interior purport directly contrary
to Its apparent intent.
Mr.. Boyd of Spalding moved the pre-
vious question, but while the vote was
being taken on the call. withdrew it, at
the suggestion of Mr.. Hall of Bib, and
favor Of the bill. Mr.. Sheppard Of Sumter
arose TO a point of order on the recogni-
ton of Mr.. Boyd, but the speaker over
ruled him.
Mr.. Anderson of Chatham vigorously
opposed the bill, which, he said, would
Throw the doors wide open for free pass
es while pretending to do something
else
1T really had hoped I never would hear
lof this bin again." said Mr.. Anderson.
''It is old enough to be dead and laying
Iquietly in tbs grave"
BEsET ON ALL SIDES.
Mr.. Andersons argument, impassioned
and direct in some of its charges, was
time and again challenged by different
members Of the house. At one time five
members were calling for the permission
of the chair to assail Mr.. Anderson with
Questions. The Hepburn bill was drag
railroad commission was scalped and re-
wigged. The famous order granting the
commissions sanction for free transporta-
ton OF an Albany gentleman engaged on
an immigration tour, was kicked back
and forth. Ancient history was gone into
on previous journals and previous COM
mittee reports of the house.
Mr.. Ellis of Bib Qnterrupting at 1855
O'clock, watch In hand): Does the gentle
man intend to speak up the remaining five
minutes OF the timer If he does, 1 want
to 60" r
Mr.. Anderson: II presume will"
And Mr. Ellis left the hall without
waiting for more. -. o.
At ! o'clock the speakers gavel fell
with Mr.. Anderson still on the floor, and
1.-THE house adjourned. The debate will be
continued Thursday morning as unhnish-
ed business with Mr.. Anderson still speak
ing.
. | f. NEW BILLS READ.
The following new bills were read in the
house OF representatives Wednesday:
BY Mr.. Peacock of Pulaski-To incorporate the
town OF Mitehells.
By Mr. Harrington of Liberty-To change the
time for holding the superior court OF Libel ~
| county.
By Mr.. Moss of Cobb-A resolution TO suspend
| compiling and publishing colonial, revolutionary
4 and Confederate records.
By Mr.. MeCuteheD of Heard-To regulate the
manner OF selecting official county newspapers.