The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-05-13
Road Bills, Already Passed
By Senate, Considered
By House
APPOINTMENTS ON
TAX COMMISSION
Heavy Program Insures
Continuous Session Frcnn
Now To End
Tallahassee Bureau,
Pensacola journal.

Tallahassee, May 12.-Littie was
done by either branch of the legisla-
ture today, both being swamped by
the certliication of local bills passed
last night Nearly fifty were sent
from the senate to the house, and q
like number from the house 10 thu
senate. Some were Immediately con
sldered, which consumed much time,
but assisted in clearing a congested
calendar.
Libel Law.
After the consideration Of local
bills, the senate took up Cartons
newspaper liability act, which pro-
vides that the truth of a published
statement, together with the absence
Ct malice in its publication, exempts
the publisher or editor from criminal
prosecution. 1t further provides that
the retraCtiOn of publ shed state
ment in position of equal prominence
as the original statement, shall also
exempt from prosecution.
Over forty minutes were spent
in amending the bill, during which
time it was shorn of practically allrits
effect, and was finally indefinitely
postponed.
Show of Power.
The only other bill OF a general ma
ture considered was that by Senator
Roland, providing for the execution
Of the death penalty in the state by
electrOcutiOn, instead of hanging. The
bill was reported unfavorably by the
committee which considered it, be-
cause it was thought inadvisable to
incur the expense at this time of pur-
chasing new equipment. 1t was placed
on the calendar at the request of the
author, who defended it on the floor.
I The objections Of the committee were
sustained by the senate and the bill
killed.
Appointments Confirmed.
Shortly afterwards the senate went
into executive session and confirmed
the appointments of r. G.. Patterson
and former Senator Bitch as mem
bers of the tax commission, and sus-
tanned the governor in the suspension
of c. B. King, as superintendent Of
! public instruction Of jackson county.
/ In the latter case, it will be remem-
| bered, Mr.. King disappeared from
| Mariana, according to dispatches,
and was absent for nearly q week.
! A thorough search was made for him
and ne was finally located in Missis-
sippl. II was stated at the time that
/ he was il and had gone to visit rela-
tives. Neglect of duty was charged
and was today sustained by the
senate.
Road Measures.
The house spent practically all
| morning in considering road measures
which have already been passed by the
senate and which will probably be
sent back to the senate Monday. The
senate adjourned until three o'clock
! Monday afternoon while the house
will convene again at $50 Monday
morning.
! TIE week just closed has been the
most strenuous of the session, and
the work will probably increase from
now on. Both houses have continued
a steady grind since Monday, with
night sessions. Important measures
have yet to be introduced and almost
continuous session will be necessary
to clear the calendarf and pass the
measures of importance. Among these
are the General revenue bills, the tar
bill, which will probably be ready
next week, and the primary bill which
is not yet through the house. A
soon IS they are prepared the bills
will likely be given right of way, K
insure their passage by both houses