Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-29
SENATE DE BATES
JUDGE ROTATION

A heated debate on the bill by Sem
ator Lassiter and others to rotate
the superior court judges of the
state consumed the entire session Of
the state senate Thursday. The de-
pate was still in progress at the hour
OF adjournment and will be resumed
Friday.
The bill forbids judges to hold
court in any circuit oftener than
once a year, and provides for their
rotation under supervision of the
presiding justice Of the supreme
court.
Immediately before adjournment
PRESIDENT Clay read to the senate a
communication from State Tax Com
missioner H. J. Fullbrfght, requesting
the appointment of joint commit
tee from the house and senate to in
Vestlgate published charges that his
administration of the tax equaliZa-
ton law has been unfair, unjust,
inequitable and discriminatory. The
communication was tabled for the
present by a viva voce voice upon
motion Of Senator John H. Jones,
there being no debate on it.
Sharp criticism was leveled at the
bill by Senators Wohlwender, Wom-
BILE, Walker, Pope and Kinney,
while Senators Lassiter, Jackson,
Nix, and others. favored it's enact
ment.
The bill, as drawn, stipulates that
the travelling expenses Of judges in
going from one circuit to another
shall be paid by the state. Senator
Walker offered an amendment strik-
ing this section and providing that
Judges should pay their own ex-
panses between cities.
Senator Lassiter argued that the
bill would not add materially to the
expense of the state, but would re-
move the courts from political in
fluence. He called it the best bill
: introduced in the senate in the last
two years.
Probable Cost
Senator Womble said the bill
would cost the state an additional
$35, 600, as a minimum, each year.
He suggested that the state "had
better save this money for the Con-
federate soldiers who are suffering.
Senator Wohlwender asserted that
the bill would warp the rights of the
people. He said they had the right
to retain in their own circuits the
eff we pass this BILL" he said, ''the
next move will be to, abolish grand
juries, then petit juries, and before
we know it, we will be in as bad
shape as the German people. I've
seen this rotation system tried be-
fore. Muscogee county recently had
a visiting judge, and all he did was
to talk himself to death and scare
the sheriff and county officers al
most out of their wits. These visit
ing judges don't know the local stu
alton, and must get in conference
with the solicitor general and find
out what they should do"
Senator Wohlwender suggested
that if the idea was to remove the
courts from politics the governor of
the state should have the right to
appoint the superior court judges.
He estimated the passage of this
bill would cost the state not less than
$4,000 a year additional.
Concluding his speech, Senator
Wohlwender declared appointment
to judgeShip generally makes a
fool out of man." He said II
"these city judges from Atlanta were
sent to country circuits, they would
scott at the lawyers and everybody
else.'
LAID on IaDl0
Senator Jackson asked Mr.. Wohl-
wender if he was not afraid to talk
that way about the Atlanta judges.
mo, sir. They are only human
beings, just like am" he retorted,
Senator Pope said the bill was a
step in the wrong direction, and that
it defeated the will Of the people,
and would not tend aid in admin
istering justice.
Another feature Of Thursdays
session was a resolution by Sena-
tor Nix providing that individual
speeches shall be limited to Is min
utes. beginning next Tuesday, and
that debate on any bill shall be lin
tied to one hour for each side. The
resolution was referred to the rules
committee.
Senator Pope offered a resolu-
ton calling for the appointment of
a committee of five assemblymen-
three from the house and two from
the senate-to work out some feas-
ible plan to pay off the amounts
due to Confederate pensioners and
their widows.
Under the rule, it was laid on
the table for day.