Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

I VOL LI WINNSBOBO, S. G. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1897. NO. 26. I ___ ? ? - ? ----- = ; IN THE SENATE. ' WHAT HAS BEEN CCNE DURING THE | PAST WEEK. i A Synopsis of tlie BJllj r>t Gtserai Interest Introduced Into and Passed by the lpper House. Cdlt^ibia, S. C., Jars. 29.?The visit by the legislature to Wiathrop college came -do in the senate Saturday. As the matter ro^v stood both houcci would probably adjourn today until i the following Tuesaay ia order to en-} . able the representatives to be at home - ... ,1 A J? I ' Monday, wincn wss saiescay. .a jree excursion would" ce run Saturday and sli tee members cculd so to Winthrop without any lime beins: lost and at no expense to the State. -Mr. Sloan spoke in favor of tile .resolution and Mr. (Archer a<?aicst i*. 3y a vote of 20 to 5 the resolutio'n was adopted. ^ _ Mr. May field vras seized with a desire yesterday to know- who ?ot the ^ aKotOC TTv* 1 T\ f ft ! concurrent resolution, that a commit- j tee "-On- investigati'-ii. -composed' of | members cf both houses, be appointed I ' to investigate the dispensary charges j of corruption. It passed without comment or objection. A joint resolution authorizing the State treasurer to i^sue' to ^amuel I Lord, as receiver of the president and j I directors of ihe State bank, consoliaa-j | tion bonds orstock equal in amount j | to 50 per cent, of the par value of cer- j | tain 6,per cr.it..State bonds and inter-1 { est therSfoif (wiric'h' 'bonds were taken j anc lost or destroyed by Federal sol | | diers during tne late civii war, and to j which the said receiver, by decrees of j the court^has been adjudged entitled, I and to permit the refunding of the j same -under the ac'.s for the redemp-1 ! lion of the State;debt. Mr. Mo^er introduced a'bill to prot :de forthe appointment of magis irates aird to define their jurisdiction, povcers-and duties, ; This^bill is ihe. same one vetoed by Governor "Evans in every particular, save that the wOrcfs4'should"the senaie * refuse to confirm any appointee, it sball not be lawful-, for the governor to reappoint the party so rejected for that term," are stricken out. In the absence of tfie president and I the president pro tern, Mr. Moses was called to the chair. It was his fortune to preside over the warmest session which t..e senate has jet held Two fiery debates over second reading bills was the day's recoid. The first was brought about when a ' concurrent resolution to allow to be introduced a bill to incorporate the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad company of South Carolina and to authorize th? t consolidation cf certain, railroads un deia that name, ;;c\.t^ up for a second j reading. I Messrs. Mayfield and McCallaof tbe [ committee on railroads submitted ar-j I unfavorable minority .report and Mr ? May field moved an 'indefinite post | ponement of the resolution. , . j After much talk the resolution was j voted on as follow:. .. Yea?Brown Buist, Dean, Dennis, i Douglass, Griffith, Henderson, iloses, \ Mower, O'Deil, Ragin, Scarborough, | Sloan, Stackhouse, Talbird, Walker, j Nay?Alexander, Archer. Connor, | I Gaines, Hay, Lave, MaySeid; McCal-1 la, McDaniel, Miller, Pettigrew, Sags- \ dale, Sanders, Turner; Wallace?15. j As a two thirds vote was necessary \ the resolution iailed to nass.*. j The second debate was on a bill to : amend the free schspijaw so as to re- j quire school trustees of each school j I district to be elected by. the quail tied { electors. ..After considerable discus j t ion th^ajVanetnay-vote was taken as to whether the en2cticg words j should- be .stricken out with, the fol-1 lowing result: Ayo;?Alexandsu\ .Archer,- Brown, S Buist, Conner, Gaines, GrifSch, May-! iield, McCai.a, McDaniel. MiUer, Mo j ses, O'Dell, Pettigrew, Ragin, Sanders, Scarborough, Stack house, Tail bird, Turner, Wallace. 'Williams-22 Nay?D.ean, Dennis, Douglass, Hay, - Eendersb#; ;L:?re, -JIower/Bagsdaie. M Walker?9.; ,f. ? The bill was killed by this overrawVplmino ro'P ^ 3a the Senate Tuesday whei? the I fc our graved 5or ii>e election of Unit __ ed Staffs S'ehait6r,'ilr. Dear; as senator j " frcsi Greenviilfe arfcsft lo^put innom j inatioa; Jv.^g^.Earie. He said: . "We are ner^ to esecjite the will of! the peopie; I, inereiore. rise to place j ia nomination. the name of the gentle | man ftho was chosen by the people to ? represent them'- in the United States' senate. A |?ntieman''whose purity j in public and piarate life has never ] been ^questioned*;", a gentleman who! will reilecti'honor' o'hlhfs Siate'in the \ baLVof the fcatiehai legislature; It is j my pri^ilese to present the- acme of j the I^dn. , Joseah-.ij. Earle cf Green rille:". \f?. ir^cfc?7"vir.rr'.ir.fit^nr J o? the -Hon!' Joseph" if. Earle v~ita ] pleasure. \ MrJ-Hend^rgOE1?If ability and ptrri fy of character tin. i.ublic .and private life counts for aught, t en the Hon. Joseph H. Eayle will ably represent this I stcbid "the r oniinaiion Mr. JSaiaySeld?Tfce'ge'htletn&n whest name has been put in nomination was choseh bv the'.pecple' after a heated caropa;gn. I opposed air election then, but since i?e will of the people has been Expressed,, it'gives'uie pleasure to j second thi 'tiomiGaticn of the Hon. ; Joseph;!! Earle." Mr:"' Buisl?The metropolis cf the j S-ate'tin'animously endorses the ekcrtion of the Hch. Joseph H. Earle. and 1 a-s the;r representative, I second the :uomicatioiv .. Mr.' Sloan?Representing the Cap:-1 tal city of the Stats., cc its behalf it is \ with pleasure that I s-:conc ti>e notoi-: . T~y*?u rr "L".?:^ ! ' nation or xae noa. ousewu ?xy je.K.iae. j iir. Archer?As I uruterfctaud it. if he rolijs called ?re \viilali second tht- i nomination .of "the. Hon. Joseph H. Earle; ' The r0ll:'"toS5then csllcd, all the senators present..votive: for Judge Earle I a ali SI \gies .?*eie. cast. A concurrent resolution from the ] ouse prosr.^qiiiS: for the appointment of a coxc.iiii$&x?2 con:poseel of tlnee members of that body and tvro of the senate to consider ail matters relating io costly government to sit' in extra" : essiort.and :o hs.t c its roper: prihttci j*nd maited*1v>;eac?. representative, vras substituted'foY a'5"irnilar senate resolution. After' considerable'discussion ! tee resdliitiod'^As iudetinitely postponed. ' * x The senate bill extending the time for the cprle^iicn c: the commutation load-tax;to the 15th of Marcn vvas received ff6m the JacuSe amended' by ex lending the time to t?e i=t of April. This amendment Vras'accepted. Seme time ago in tne Senate Mr.1 Xorris introduced a bill requiring a:i j studects at Ciemson to pay a tuition ! fee of $40 each ptr annum except such I indigent students as the board mi?ht jiee fit to exempt. Tnis bill, which has been on the calendar several days in the absence of its author, came up for a second reading Wednesday. ilr. McCaila offered an amendment to change the tuition from $40 to $30. He said it was cot ri?ht and just for i Clemson to be put on the same footing I with the other institutions in this matter of tuition, for the taxpayers woie not required to contribute to its support. .?t was a farmers'college, supported by farmers, and should os run in the interest of the farmers. Mr. Archer took the position that it was rediculous for the farmers to pay taxes for the support of ail the State institutions snd then directly keep up C'.emson by the special tag tax on fer Ui:z?rs. XJ-Xr LUUU^Ut tuio ;aA should go into the general fund so that all vrould bear equally their part of the burden. ilr. Pettigrevr moved to table the amend meat "of Mr. McCalla. He did so, he said, because in evwv college everyone who was able to Day ought to be required to pay 1 he full amount. The motion pre railed by a large majority. 'J he bill then passed its second reading. Mr. Ragsdaie's bill providing that the verdict of the jury shall not oe set aside or mcdiSed by the presiding judge, upon the ground that such ver diet is contrary to the evidence, or against the preponderance of the evidence, or that the damages assessed by the jury are excessive, or insufficient, but the verdict of the jury in all civil causes triable by jury shall be as to all issues of fact final and conclusive, was taken up and killed. Mr. Buist introduced the following: Be it resolved b? the senate, the! house of representatives concurring, that this general assembly does re spectfuily urge upon the senators of United States the importance of taking prompt action ic favor of the ratification of the treaty or arbitration be tweeen the-United Slates and Great Britain, whereby tie sense of the American people m?y be manifested ina: a resort to war as a means of de termining international disputes is unsuitable to the spirit of the age. Resolved, That s. copy of these reso lutions be sent to the senators from this Stale with a request that, they be presented to the senate. Tnis passed without comment. An unfavorable repast being presented on Mr. RagsdaleV bill to regulate the running c f traini-. so as to re-j quire fast mail trains to stop at all i stations, Mr. Ragsdaie asked to have the bill put on the calendar, as he wanted to see whether the railroads belonged to the State or the State beJonged to the railroads. The committee seemed to think the State belonged j to tne raiiroaas. Mr. Sloan quickly replied that the committee did its own thinking. Mr. Esgsaaie answered that hej meant no offense, and the bill went on the calendar. In the Senate cn Thursday a present znent T7as read from the Spartanburg ~rana jury calling attention to the lax administration of the law against carrying concealed weapons and reporting in&t iixe Jaw was fast bt coming a deic letter. . It was recommended that vhe Magistrates of the county rigid y enforce the law by punishing every violation. The grand jury also recommended that the General Assembly put Magistrates and constables on salaries, in both civil and criminal cases: reduce the cost in such courts and require all costs to be collected and reported to , ixiB \^uuuty xxcasurcr uiuutiii v. ; The rebate investigation matter being taken up, Mr. May field, the author, stated that* he had "drafted and presented the bill at the request of the officers who were connected with the institution. I? it was fonnd that any person had dipped ped his hand into the public coffers iet him wear the stripes, and by all nieans let the people of South Carolina know the truth, and relieve those ho were suffering under insinuations. Mr- Brown moved to strike oat the enacting clause of the resolution, stating that he did not believe the investigation would amount to anything but smoke. This the Senate refused to do, and the bill was passed. When Mr. Eagsaaie s telegraph bill, which was reported unfavorably, was reachei, Mr. Mayiield, of the commit -1 J iV- . use, rose acu icovtu luc ^yyuuii u; the report and rejection of the bill, which was carried by a vote of 21 to 7. A concurrent resolution (d.oust) to aliow a bill to incorporate the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company of Souih Carolina and to authorize the ; consolidation o;' certain railroads unj der that came to be introduced was passed. A bill to amend the law relating to hawkers and peddlers, placing the matter of license within the authority ; of County boarcs of commission, and | exempting Confederate -eterans from j any license charge was also ptssed. | Mr. Buist introduced a bill prescrib ! isg heavy penalues by both tine and ; imprisonment for all sorts of irregu! iarities in primary election. If this session of ihe iegisi&ti;e 15 sot brought to a speedy close, tt>en it will not be the iiult of the upper hous?. The senate several days ago manifested a desire to terminate seemingly interminable legislation by pass leg a resolution prohibiting the introduction of any new biJJs after Feb. 1. Ytsterday, under this resolution, tcs j | '.he closing day of grsce, for when the -enators meet again next Tuesday, 1 he fi rst ^ill have passed. Then sgain there was another reso lution Friday. Senator Brown was its author. He introduced a resolution that, the present session do stand adjourned sine die on Feb. 12. SenaI tor rdcsL-s said that to do so would be both impracticable and impossible. All the outstanding work co'j-d not be disposed of in that time. He requested ; that the resolution be witharawn. Mr. ; Brown did so. The s-.ssion of Friday ; ^as featureless. For just one hour ! the senate considered second reading bills, passedthird reading bills and receivtd se~eval bills which the senators wished to get in before the op> ponunity closed. At 12 o'clock the I senate ~en: to the house to elect a i judge, snd en its return adjourned i until Tuesday at S p. in. .Dubois Defeated. Boise City, Jan 2S.?The senatorial contest in the Idaho State legislature terminated today by the election of Henry Heitfelt, a populist, to succeed Senator Dubois. The ballot was as follows: Heitfelt 39: Dubois, silver Republican, 30; T. F. Nelson. Populist 1. Twenty-five Populists, 13 | Democrats and one Republican voted * for the successful candidate. j IN THE HOUSE. j i WHAT HAS BEEN DONE DURING THE i PAST WEEK. A Sjnftosi* of the Hill# of General Interest Introduce;! into and Passed by the Lower Rouse. Columbia, S. C., Jan. 29.?The House of Representatives is cow gettire down to work in dead earnest e>-/-5 v.i-\rrr or! rcill infll'O thinos mcne. Among tbe new bills introduced sioce cur lost report was one by Mr. Per ritt to require SO percent, c-f the commutation road tax to be expended on the roads and bridges of the to^jstiips from which it is collected. Mr. Burns introduced a bill to regulate the manufacture, inspection, shipment aad sale of commercial fertilizers and manures, the privilege tax on same and nroviding a penalty for violating the provisions of this act. Provision is made in the bill for the trustees of Clemson college, upon the receipt by the State treasur-r of 15j cents per ton on fertilizers sold, to is-i sue privilege tax tajs. Tnat when so issued,these tags shall be cancelled by the company, selling the fertilizers, slam pic? its name across the face of them, and provides for the punish ment of persons issuing fraudulent tags or in any way attempting to evade the tax. The principal intention of the bill is to abolish all of the privi lego tax on lerunzers, except su luucu as shali be necessary to pay for the analysts of fertilizers, and thus protect the farmers against adulterated goods. This tax being a discriminating c!ass tax paid by one class and enjoyed by all others, no revenue feature is permitted, Mr. Barns holding it an incorrect theory of taxation. The support of all oar educational institutions ho says, should be be placed apon the same footing and supporter! by a direct appropriation from the State treasury, according to their several wants and necessities as the legislature in. its wisdom may decide Mr. Layion introduced a bill to j amend the general pension law. The! bill provides that applications shall be ! submitted to a board of three ex Confederates and physician. The chairman of the several camp boards shall be known as examining boards of pensions, which shali meet on the third Monday in January, 189S, and on the third Monday of January in each succeeding year. It shall be their duty to examine all applications under reg7i!otir?nc hr- t.hft Sfifirftt&r? of state, attorney general and comptroller general, who shall constitute ''State boards of pensions," and they shall certify to the State board tL^r approval of applications giving in detail the reason which influence them, to grant or oppose each application, ac compabied by all the evidence upon which they made their decision. In selecting pensioners frcm among the applicants the board shall have regard to their present condition and finanancial means and also the financial condition of their near relatives, allowing to each applicant so selected the snca cf $3, $? or as thsy may be entitled under the provision of the act. The sum of $700 is appropriated out of funds in the treasury to defray ins ex penses of the examining boards, which shali be five cents per mile for travel TTTO TT in jitf-pnHincr the meelin?. i The several camps shall meet 011 thr. J third Mod da j of December, 1S97, and | the same day in each subsequent year j and shall elect three ofitheir members, who shall not be an applicant for pensions, as camp examining board, the chairmen of these several camp boards to be the county examing board When there are no ^amps, or when they fail to carry out the provisions of he act the State board shall appoint tnreeex Confederatee, non-applicants for penesioas, who shall constitute the State board. Unfavorable reports r, ere presented j on the bill to amend the law relating to cotton weighers, the bill to change the boundary line of Broad River township in York county (with mm ? * < J -.u ~ i ority report;, ine oiu to ameaa iuc pi.vileged tax ret, reducing the tax to 15 cents; the bill to provide for the election of masters and the bill to require the State sinking fund commission to lend the fund2 to the counties of the State. Vv hen Mr. Harvey's bill to require the killing of dogs bitten bf any animal suffering with rabies was called j up for a final reading, Mr. Pollock! moved to indefinitely postpone it. The house refused to do so. however, and the bill was ordered to be sent to the senate. When Mr. Stevenson's bill te render uniform the mode of taxation in towns and cities in accordance with section 6, article VIII of the new Constitution, was taken up and passed to a third reading. Mr. Ximmerman's bill to forbid the j couty supervisor, the board of town- j ship commissioners and the county j boai-d cf commissioners from entering into or making any contract or auditing any claim against their respective counties for any fiscal year beyond or ! in excess of the appropriation made by the general assembly for such year, j and making a violation of such forbid- j den acts a misdemeanor was then taken j up, and Mr. Timmerman defended his I bill at some length. Mr. Graham hav- i ing rno~ed to strike out ihe eaactine words, Mr. Graham tn ought the bill would do the county governrcent sjs rem move hsrm than good. Ke thought it would work a great hardship on the county officials. Mr. Cushman of Aiken said his county was between ?L0;000 and ?12,000 in debt and they felt ihat something should be done. Mr- Cushman moved to add at the end of section 1 the words "out nothing in this section shali be constratd to include cases where expenditures are rendered necessary by the act of God or the public enemy." Mr. Crum favored the bill. He said if there were not restrictions along this line they would soon have ail counties bad'.y in debt. Mr Roger.-; asked what county ollicials would .'o in taking care of prisoners if the funds 2-ave out two or tcree months before the year was 'J?; would i they starve them or turn them loose? Llr. Price said, his county had gotten into trouble and he wanted something cone along this line. All over the house members rose to speak on the same line. -dr. Pollock suggested the bill continued for a few days. If this bill became law the county officials must let | the county stand still, or else make i themselves liable to imprisonment. Dr. Ilderton said there should be isome restriction and some limit should be placed around the officials. He favored the amendment. Mr. ESrd was opposed to the bill. He thought expenditures on roads, etc.. were m the line of "money well spent." He asked how may county cllicials in Mr. Timmerman's county, besides the county supervisor had defaulted. He .also asked M.-. Goodwin if the extra amount expended in Greenville hsdn't been of great permanent beneSt to the county. Mr. Goodwin replied at sorrft length. He detailed the affairs of Greenville county very fully. Mr. Price disclaimed any intention of rttleciiDg on the officials in > * J? .?.i j. - 1% t C\(\f\ T 1 dis couDiy; ius couciy was ,uw ucbicd; he thought perhaps the-y had been a little extravagant. Mr. Efird said that such expenses were expected to arise during the first two years under the new county government system. He thought this bill would so hamper the officials that they might as wejl go back to the old system. Finally. Mr. Rogers moved toincefinitely postpone the bill. The house declined lode so. Mr. White moved to recommit the bili, which was dono by a vole of 4(3 to 29. The purpose is to perfect the bill. Mr. Westmoreland's bill to require certain officers to keep an itimized account of their income by virtue of \ their office, and to require t'aem to j make a quarterly report, of the same ! was taken up. After some slight amendments had j; cesc made Mr. Stevenson moved to 1 strike cut the whole cf section 4 ot tue ? bill, saving it was impracticable. Mr. Pries of Orangeburg was heartily in iitvor of the provision, lie said he hsd had personal exoeriecc3 m trying to find out the rtccipts of the various offices. The people wanted to know the income of the various otli* ces. There was no hardship about the provision. Mr. Stevenson said all the peopk wanted to know was the income of j the oflices and not what was on the books The house refused to accept Mr. Stevenson's suggestion. Mr. deLoach thought annual reports sufScie. t and so amen-l^d the j bill, and it finally passed i a this form: j Section 1. That on and after the passage j of this act each county ofiiccr shall be required to purchase and keep in his office, open to public inspection during office hours. a book in r.-hich shall be kept an ltimizeu. account of all money received by him. whether as salary, costs, fees or in any other manner, as pay to him for his services by virtue of his office. See. 2. That at the close of every fiscal year each county officer shall transmit a 5 copy of said account, under oath, to the ' office of county supervisor. Sec. 3. That the county supervisor, in addition to other books kept in his office, shall keep a separate book in which he shall enter upon his books the total amount of each account so furnished opposite the name of the officer furnishing the said acconnt, and file the account in his office as other county records are kept. Sec. 4. That at the end of every fiscal year each county officer shall also furnish, j under oath, an itimized statement showing j all moneys due to said officer and at the time unpaid, to which shall be entered and kept as other county records are kept. Sec. 5. That any county officer neglecting or refusing to comply with any of the pro- [ visions of the loregoiug act shall be deemed J guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon convic-j rirtn shall ho finfil not. less; than S50 nOI i more than ?200, or imprisOE.ed in the coan- j ty jail not less than two nor more than sis j months, either or both, at the discretion of J the court. Sec. 0. That this act shall be deemed ?. I public act, and shall take effect immediately j upon its approval by the governor. When the aoove bill was taken up j for a final reading Mr. Perritt movee; to reconsider the vote, ?7hereby it had been ordered to a third reading. Then j the counties of Marlboro. Darlington., | Richland, Chesterfield, Horry, Abbej vilie, Charleston, Lancaster, Barnwell, Edgefield ard Lexington asked to be exempted from the provisions of the bill. Mr. Wyche Asked that if this was a good bill for one county it was good for all. He moved to recommit the bill. This motion prevailed by a j vote of 33 to 32. Mr. Patlon's much talk of ledistriclicg bill was introduced Monday. It will be noticed that the territorial designations long in use have been j selected for the districts. This is to prevent persons from confusing the j districts with the numbered judicial! circuits, there beir?g no requirement preventing sucn nomenclature, nere j ure the districts proposed: Pee Dee District?Chester fie Id. Marl- j boro, Dariiogton, Florence. Marion and Horry. Santee District?Georgetown, Will- I iamsburg, Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester. Eiisto Dirtrict?Orangeburg. Barnvreil, Colleton, Hampton and Beautort. Wateree District-FairSeJd,Kershaw, ! Richland, Sumter ar.d Clarendon. Saluda District? Lr-urens, Green- j 770CC, Nevrberrv, Silud.i, Lexington and Aiken. Northern District ? Spsrianbarg, Cherokee, Union, York, Chester and T 4 ^ ? ju~*aca?ier. Piedmont District ? Greenville. Pickens, Osonee, AnclersoD and Abbeville. Mr. Rainsford's anti-trust bill taken up and parsed in the foliGwioy sbape: Scction 1. That from and after the passage of this, all arrangements, contracts, agreements, trust or combinat ons between persons or corporations made with a view to lessen, or which tends to lessen, full and free competition in the importation or sale of articles imported into this State, or in the manufacture or sale of articles of domestic growth or of domestic raw material, and all arrangements, contracts, agreements, trusts or combinations between persons or corporations designed, or which tend to advance, reduce or control the price or the co.?t to tLie r.rrn)n^pr nr tn ihe consumer of any such product or article, are hereby declare'] to l>c against public policy, unlawful and void. 1 Sec. 2. Whoever complaint, is made upon I sufficient affidavit or affidavits showing a prima facie case of violat'^n of the provision of j the first section of this .ct. by any c* -ra-j ties, domestic or foreign, it shall be thv ^atv j of the attorney general to begin an action! again t such domestic corporation to forfeit j iis charter, and in case such violation shall: be established the court shall adjudge the charter of such corporation to be forfeited j and such corporation shall be dissolved and its charter shall cease and determine, and in j case of such showing as to a foreign corpora- j tion the action shall he ijegun r>y me auor- j ney general in said court against such cor- i poration to determine the truth of such charge and in case such ciiarge shall be considered established, the effect of ;Lejit<L-tnent of the court shall be to deny to suc'i corporation the recognition cf its corporate existence in any court of law in equity in State. But nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any rig&t of action then existing against such corporation. Sec. o. Any violation of the provision of this act shall be deemed, and is hereby tie-, clarcd to be destructive of full and free competition and a conspiracy against trade, and any pc-rsDn or persons who rosy engage in such conspiracy, or who shall, as principal, manager, director or agent, or ,n any other capacity, knowingly carry out any of the stipulation, purposes, prices, rc.tcsor orders made in furtherance of such conspiracy, shall, on couviction, be punished by a Hue of not less than ?100 or more than $5.0p!\ and by imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than six months nor more than 1" years, or, in the judgment of the court, by either such fine or such imprisonment, Sec. 4. That any person or persons, or corporation, that may be injured or damaged by any such arrangement, contract, agreement, trust or combination, described in sec tion l oi tai* act, may sue tor ana rccover, in any court of competent jurisdiction iu this State, of my person, persons or corporation operating such trust or combinition the full consideration of sum paid by him or them for any good*, "wares, mercliardise or articles the sale of which is controlled by such combination or trust. Sec. ">. That any and all persons may he compellable to testify in any action or prosecution under this net: provided, that such testimony shall not be used in any other action or prosecution against each -witness or witnesses and forever be exempt from any prosecution for the act or acts which he or they testify. Mr. Livingston's concurrent resolution relating: to appointment of joint committee to corsider ail acts ana parts of acts relating to C3unty and township government, inclusive of fees and salaries of county officers was adopted without debate. A. concurrent resolution oS'ered by Mr. Raicsj'ord was adopted requiring tbe directors oftbe State penitentiary tc examine into the cost and feasibility of ereeling a plant at the penitentiary for ?he purpose of converting phosphate reek into acid phospbate, reporting al the next session. The house adopted the senate resolution to extsnd the time for V e collection of the commutation road tax in ttie severa' counties after changing the date from March 15 to April i, by an amendment offered by Mr. Cushman. Without debate the senate bill to amend the act to authorize and em power cities, towns, townships and other municipal corporations to issue ! negotiable coupon bonds for the re funding of payment in whole or in part of bonded indebtedness and any unpaid past, due interest thereon ex- i isiia at the time of the adoption of; the present Constitution was ordered to a third reading. Among 'he new bills introduced in the House Tuesday was a measure to protect the c ildren of the Statei from the baneful influence of false and partizan instruction. Tbe bill should I pass. Another important measure intro- j duced Tuesday was a bill to allow | county boards of control to purchase: ceriain liquors for the county dispen- j sers under certain restrictions. A bill was introduced providing for tbe payment of tuition fees by all per-. sons attending the State educational colleges and universities, except the institution for the deaf and blind. Mr. John ?. Thomas, Jr., presented a bill to further provide for the return and assess.lent of property for taxation. This bill provides for tbe further ref.i?. ?of property for tbe purpose of taxation arid defining the duties o'boards of assessors. The main object of the bill is to require the re turn and reassessment of real estate during the year 1S93 and in every further year thereafter. As the law. .o _ ? x ~ n now si?.nas uiere is no provision m, iui under ihe new Constitution for the return of real estate. The bill also defines the duties of township commi.sioners while acting as boards of assessors. It requires these boards to overlook all returns made to the auditor and to add to tnose returns all real and personal property lhat has not been returned or has escaped taxation. Tne bill seeks particularly to secure fuller returns of personal property, to the end that the burden of taxation may not bear so heavily up on the real estate owner. A bill was introduced to repeal the act to prevent the use of a free pass, express or telegraph frank on any railroad by any United States senator or member of congress from this State or by members of the general assemi i /* . v rsj.. i oiy Ol tms citiie or oy auy ouiie ux county ctBcial or by any judge of a court of record in this State. There were a number of other new bills introduced on Tuesday, but the above are the most important. Mr. Sinkler's bill to regulate and limit the hours of work of certain employees of electric and other street car companies was then taken up and passed to a third reading. Mr. Livingston's resolution to limit the iinse for introducing bills ana joint resolutions was taken up, amended so as to fix Feb. 5, as the da*e bejond which they could not be introduced save by committee chuirmt-n, and then adopted: ! The hour having arrived, Mr. Pollock suspended ar.d the election of a ir>rt>?>ri ?>pri2 tor Irby was proceeded with. The election consumed only 10 minutes of | the time of the house, and it was merely a matter of form. | Mr. Blythe of Greenville rose and addressed the speaker thus: Mr. Speaker: I nominate Hon, Joseph LL. Earle of Greenville os is weii known to the general assembly, Judge Earle was nominated for this position at the late Democratic primary election held for that purpose, I take it, therefore, that the uuty of the members of this general assembb' in c;vUiDg their ballots will be largely perfunctory and that they will con j iirm the action of the Democrats at the primary bv the unanimous elselion of JjcTge Eirle. Mr. E D. Smith seconded the nomination. on belulf of the Sumter delegation . ; I^r. Wyehe moved that nominations now close. This was agreed to | and Messrs. Wyche, E. D. Smith and ' Pollock appointed tellers. | The colored member. Mr. Ander! son, voted for G-. W. Murray. The | rest of the vote was cast for Judge Eirle, as follows: E trie, 97: Murray, 1. T. e session of the House Wednesday was devoted to discussion. There was talk and no end to it. Amoog the new bills introduced of general interest may te mentioned the following: A bill to provide for the cliise of Daumag ana insurance c;:uuiissnji; ac-d to dehae the duties of the same. Mr. Kinard has introduced a bill to require ail common carriers to pay all lcs; or damages for loss cr breakage o. any article shipped over their lines. Mr. MeWhite introduced a bill to ! authorize and require the county ! treasurers of the several counties of ! this State to pay out the prohis of the i dispensary vrhich are paid over to him | for certain claims, and the county : supervisors to dra^v their ?arrants first for said claims. ! Tbe committee reported unfavorably upon the joint resolutions to auj thorfze tbe general assembly to estab; lish n?vr counties pending the farther j election for the location and name of tbe county seats Tbe unfavorable j report vras adopted and tbe 1? solution rejec'sd. Among tbe many matters unfavora{bly reported by the committees were j tbe following: i llr. Witberspoon's bill relating to tbe free school law. j The bill fixing the fees of witnesses i attending tbe courts of general sesj siocs. The bill to authorize the purchase of bloodhounds. The bill to require SO per cent, of the road tax to be applied to the improvement of bridges and roads in coitsko! <-/->orrncViir>c nf iVta. Cjt-afn | rr jjcu^ \yi. >w'i<utv. As members of the special committees to whom ail bills and matters relating to the dispensary law and pensions are to be referred the speaker announced the appointment of the following: Aiken. A. W. Cushman: Laurens, 0. P. Goodwin; Fairfield, J. G. Wallins; York, 3. H. Epps, Chester. P. T. Hollis, Pickers, Joel H. Miller; Greenville, H. P. Goodwin: Horry, Jeremiah Mishee; Darlington, A. J. A. Perritt; Florence, B. B. McWhite; Richland, L. D. Childs; Barnwell, J. M. Skinner; Kershaw, D. M. Bethune; Abbeville, A. J. Speer; Newberry, John F Binks; Marlboro, J. jF. McLaurin: Berkeley. B. H. Eenjderson; Charleston. W. H. Sinkler; ! Anderron, R- B. A. Robinson; Ularenidou, C. M. Davis; Spartanburg, R. A. j Lancaster; Saiuda, B. L. Caughman; ! Lexington, D. F. Eiird; Williamsburg, [J. L. Graham; Oconec, C. R. I). Barns; Georgetown, M. W. Pyatt; Chesterfield, W. P. Poilock; L^ocas? - /"N T-r VT - TfT ITTl. ' ier, <j. n. Jfiyer; union, u. w. wiiisonart; Marion, J. D. Haselden; Sumter, W. A. Nettles; E'igeSeld. W. H. Yeldell; Beaufort, W. C. Vincent; Orangeburg, A. F. H.Dukes: Colleton, E. J. Limehcuse; Hampton, T. A. Hamilton. When the house got ready for business on the calendar it tackled the third reading bills and Mr. Sinkler's bill relating to the hours of labor of the street car employees was passed without a word. On its final reading the senate bill relating to the aooliton of the office of referee in certain counties was amend- j ed by Mr. McWbite so as to strike outj Florence and was then passed. It was 11:30 o'clock before the house [got to "unfinished business," taking; up Mr. Bedon's bill to amend the act j I relating: to fishing at certain limes ia j j Aiken, Barnwell, Darlington, Colle- j j ton and Orangeour? counties. It was promptly ordered to a third reading i without debate. | Mr. Tim merman's bill to forbid the (county supervisors, the boards cf j township commissioners and the county board cf commissioners from entering into or making any contract or auditing any claim against their respective counties for any fiscal year] beyond or ia excess cf the appropriation made by the general assembly for such year, and making, a violation of such forbidden acts a felony -kbs taken up. In the House Thursday Mr. Kibler's bill to provide for an insurance and banking commissioner was unfavorably reported, as vras also Mr. Bobinson's bill to repeal the anti free pass j act. Mr. W. S. Smith introduced a bill to provide fcr a new judicial circuit | to be known as the niuth judicial cir| cuit and to define the limits of the [first, second and third judicial circuits. Mr. Verne? introduced a bill to prevent the charging of usurious rates of interest under certain penalties. The bill provides that those charging and collecting usurious rates shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction before a magistrate shall be fined $100, to be collected by the mag ~ ^ 4^ a f>?oac. ISLI'ttlC uilU paiU ILL CVJ LJUW \y^L4jabjr VI %rt*u ury for school purposes. The second section provides that "it shall be unlawful for any person or corporation after said conviction, either to loan money or to do any other banking business within this State." Mr. Yerner introduced another bill to require railroad companies to pay for crossties wits in a certain time The bill provides: "That whenever any person or persons or corporation under a contract with any railroad company owning or operating a rail road within this Slate shall deliver crossties, bridge timbers, or other constructing ard operating materials upon the line of any railroad cc.? pany, it shall be tbe duty of said railroad company to receive and pay for such material within 60 dajs after the same shall have been delivered, cither to the party owning or delivering the same, or his or ner assignee. Mr. Thomas introduced a bill to provide for the sale of native win:S in the county dispensaries, the producers to receive a percentage of the profits, such percentage to be fixed b? the | State board of control. Mr. Orum introduced a bill to establish Bamberg County. j Mr. McOul lough presented a pretest from 1,200 operatives of the Piedmont cotton mills against say kind o? labor legislation in this State. Mr. Miles presented a similar petition from operatives in Spar La:, burg; Mr. Ashley | presented a like petition from opera [tives in Anderson and Mr. Towcsend I one from mill employes in. Union. I Mr. Toole's bill, unfavorably re! ported, Lo provide for the election c? j masters taken up and Mr. Ma?ill moved to str;ka out the enacting j vvcrds, vrhich vras cirried b~ a vote j of 58 to 47. j Mr. Skinner's bill requiring the j sinking lund commission to lend funds j to the several ounty treasurers cf the State for the use of their counties in : oreference to lending some to other applicants for such funds, which bad been unfavorably reported, was called up and the fight of tiie day begun. After considerable discussion the | bill wss passed to a third reading io this shape: Section 1. That the sinking fund commission are hereby authorized and required, when unable to purchase valid bonds of this State at par. to leud the money to the sink! iDg fuud commission at a rate of interest not liess than 4 l-'J per centum per annum, and j for a time not longer than one year, upon [ pledge of the forthcoming taxes of the curl rent fiscal year, to the several county treasurers of this State. The application for a loan by such treasurer shall only be made upon the rocommendation of a majority of the county board of commissioners; provided such loans be approved by the governor. The form of such pledge shall be approved by the attorney general of this State, and the | [CONTINUED OX PAGE FOUR- ] i VERY DAMAG1N3 EVIDENCE I A gairrt the Murderer of Treasurer Robert Copes. i Columbia, S. C., Jan. 2S?Seme (time aso, Capt. J. H. Fanning of ; Orangeburg:, la connection with a rsI porter of the Register, called upon D.C. I Murphy, the convicted murderer of Treasurer Copes, of Orangeburg, and asked him for a statement, in view of the 'act- that the Supreme Court had ; determind that he was nol entitled to j a new trial and that be had ben re seni ccn/>cH trv ho V^orkfrcrl \To>?r>h pb j. who is in the Penitentiary, led them to believe that if they got certain documents from certain parties his innocence would be proven. Capt. Fanning went to the trouble to write to the parties mentioned and even came to Columbia to show the answer j to Murphy, but he resolutely refuses to make any statement, and unless he do- he must hang in March. Kurpbv stated that the Sheriff of Putnam County, Florida, could prove an alibi for hirn. C3pt. Fannies: wrote to this sberiff and received the following reDly: Palatka, Fla., Jan. 22, 1S97. Mr. J. If. Fanning, Orangeburg, S. C. j Dear Sir: Yours of the 20th inst. to haud .and contents carefully noted and in reply j will say that I did have D. C Murphy, of j j whom you refer to. in custody. September j Hoth to September 27th, 1SL>4. After we re- j I leased him he skipped out,and lam satisfied i Treat straight ?o South Carolina, and I am. also, satisfied he is guilt} of the murder. 1 am the one who located him under the prom- j ise of getting half of the reward, 'which vras i to be $750. Cut I never have received a penny for my services, which I am satisfied I lioc VhAon Inner rv>?<i ?n rinrrif<. T)p.t(*C tive Lambert that was sent here, had given ! np all hope of ever getting him when I taken ; the matter up and located Murphy in 24 I hours and put him dead on to him -with the promise of half of the reward. I would like to have you tell me who did get the reward, and how much was received, etc. Yours ver7 truly, John* W. IIogan*, Sheriff, ilurphy also stated that he had been | employed by F. W Wsgeaer of j Charleston and that they could give some information as to his whereabouts on the night cf the murder.j The following reply was received j from them: Charleston, S. C., Jan. 22.1S07. Mr. .Jas. If. Fanning, Orangeburg, S. CDear Sir: Your esteemed favor of the 20th I jinst. is just to hand, and we have read the marked article in the Times and Democrat sent us, but cannot account for Mr. Murphy's I statement. We presume he has had an at-! torney for his case, and if there is any information we can give him, we will do so with pleasure. In fact, we think it a part of our I dutv to do this. We will say frankly, howj ever, that we have no idea what he is refrrI ing to, but if you can give us the name of his I attorney, we will correspond with him. Yours truly, F. W. Wagexer & Co. Murphy was called on at the Peni tentiary yesterday and was shown the above letters. He was found in a cell; on the second tier, and would say nothing after seeing the reporter for The 1 Register, whom he did not know, but j who be thought was a detective. Capt. Fanning showed him the letters j and in the presence of Capt. Westfield I read them to him. Murphy took them :in his cell, and after perusing them ] still had nothing to say. Capt. FanIning, after expressing his personal j hope that Murphy would make some slinemeni aziu jjeuuu^ junjaa.tisiciouuu, ftad 10 leave. Murphy appears to be in the best of health, and seemingly does not realize what a serious nosition he is in. But as he will say nothing, and as all the evidence is against him, j the probabilities are that he will be ex| ecuted nest month. Murphy is in the i Penitentiary for safe keeping, and | has been for two years. Ee has made | one attempt to cut his way out and since that he has been closely watched. CJnder ordinary circumstances, it will now be impossible for him to get out. ?Register. 0068 for morton. j Washington, Jan. 28.?In the j Honse today Mr. Dearmcnd, Demo(crat of Missouri, made an attack, in the [course of a speech, on Secretary ofe Agriculture Morton. With biting i sarcasm and rasping irony, he scored the Secretary of Agriculture, taking as bis text a recent publication issued by the Secretary and sent out over the j country under a frank, entitled "The Farmers' Interest in Finance." The pamphlet reviewed the silver agitation to show thai *'poverty and illiteracy5'1 characterized the States which had been foremost in the demand for the i restoration of silver. Mr. Dearmond j asserted that tbe demand for silver! came chiefly from the farmers whose! I interest the Secretary of Agriculture j was supposed to look after, and asked ; j contemptuously what excuse there; j was for issuing 10 them 'kthis slander, j this travesty on facts." No cnetook ! Secretary Jlorion seriously nowadays The world was no longer interested in his views on finance, although it might look with expectation for any observation he might make on tiie woodchuck, the hedge hojj or the eye of the potato. Addressing the Repu'o lican side, he appeak-d to them to re cogniz-i Secretary Morton's services, j even though they refused to accept the responsibility for him. "Of course." said he, "you will not keep him in his present position, but you might put h;m in the national museum." In conclusion, Mr. L'earmond commended to the prayerful consideration of the Republicans "this curiosity of modern political life, whose peculiarity was that he talked when he was not writing and wrote when he was not talking, and did both when he was net thinking. Full many a whim of purest ray serene, The dark, unfathomed dreams of Morton hear: j Full many a wheel is formed to whir unseen. | And vastt lis' ilietness "neath J. Sterling's hair. ] (3-reat laughter and applause.) A Railroad Slaughter. New Haven, Conn., Jan. 27.?The Colonial express,on ihe Coasci idated Road, east bouud, struck and killed live men at East Nor walk, aooui 2 o'clock this afternoon. The men had been working on the track and stepped out of tbe way of one train directly ia front of another. At this point there are four track?, and t'-"* train the men desired to avoid anu one which killed them were bor.h moving in the same direction. Wanted to Lskv? ? Widow. Jackson, iliss. Jan. 27.?The mar-J r'kJc'f T'nmnai Wfiwlc I \JL?+rs I v | this evenitj^ to his housekeeper, Miss I j Alice Birilett, & distant relative, was I a great surprise. Judge Woods has j oeen con&nsd to his bed a week or more vri'h giip. and was quite sick, so that he had to be propped on pillows and remain id bed while the ceremony was being performed. This is I , his third marriage. STARTLING FIGURES." THE RAFiD GROWTH OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES. A. Slethodift Conference Calls for Thousaiids-of Seimoas 00 the T*xt "Thon Shalt Xot Kill.1* Atlanta, Ga., .Jan. 27.?The Methodist Episcopal conference, which has been in session at the Loyd street colored church, before adjourning took action en a very interesting subject. The delegates discussed the great ques- ^? tion of tee increase of the crime of murder in this cnuntrv. and. while the causes for the increase were not developed in their action, the resolution adopted makes good reading, and vrili attract the attention of the pen of the country. During the final session, of the conference Rev. Dr. Mason introduced a resolution which was unanimously adopted, upon waking up the country to the importance of the murder question. It required the Episcopacy, as a body, to instruct Methodist Episcopal ministers throughout this countrythere are 20,000 pulpits?to prerch one sermon a year on the 6th commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," as a means of producing a correct public opinion as to the -value of human life and as a warning of the great danger of national judgment for unrequired olood. Bat here are the resolutions in full: "Whereas, the crime of murder is increasing in the land and becoming the mosi popular of crimes because of the vei-ial character of our criminal courts, by whom many murderers are allowed to escape, while many suffer no penalty at all?showing a greater number of murders and homicides to the million of inhabitants than any European nation which, keeps a record of the matter, when measured by this rule the United States leads the list, being the most bloodthirsty nation in matters o: private war. i urn. : .e i. ?JC JUUaJVY*U?C ugurw dUUVV LULC growth of the crime. Ia 18S6 the numbers for the first time exceeded 1,000: "la 1S37 it was about 2,335. ''In 1SSS it was about 2,884. "In 1839 it was about 2,569. "Ia 1890 it was about 4,290. "In 1S91 it was about 5,906. "Ia 1892 it was about 6,791. "la 1893 it was about 6,615, "Ia 1894 it was about 9,800. "Ia 1895 it was about 10,212, "The report for last year has not beea made up, but we have abuadant evidence that the blood stained record grows arid will no doubt exceed the previous years of crime. "And whereas, we know from the Word of God. that a blood-stained land, which in its courts and by its practice boldly tramples under foot the sixth commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' must thereby attract to itself the judgments of Almighty G-od, impending events which should be j avoided- by repentance and reformat??v uuu; - ?^ ''Ana whereas, the Gospel and Divine La* are the only instruments which wil!:crcate a jast" public opin- -* . * ion on this subject, a thing much needed north ami south; therefore, / . ;,1. Resolved- That we earnestly and respectfully request our Episcopal board at its meeting in the fall, to instruct all Methodist pastors under its supervision, to preach one sermon in ihe year on the sixth commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' so as to strengthen the hands of just magistrates and courts, and to recover this root law, of the amenities and peaceful measures of life- whether domestic or international f^om disrespect, neglect and oblivion. "2. Resolved, That whilst anxious to correct a great evil at home we are not insensible of the evils and demoralizing influences of foreign war?and' as ministers of the Prince of Peace we tender our support to all measures looking to the* arbitration of international strife?and thus from our humble place amongst men we freely congratulate the government at Washing: ten on the haopy issue of threatened trouble with England, and as citizens we recommend the adoption of the pending treaty of erbitration. "3. Kfsolved, Tfcat we respectfully . ask cur sister conferences to unite with us in this petition, and to that end that a copy of this action be sent by our secretary to each conference : in cur American work?conscious as i we are that the deliverances of fifteen thousand or more pulpits in one year j on this momentous subject, will be a t volume and measure of moral power of such magnitude as will cause belligerents, courts and juries to reflect and reform?whilst this practice if I ?-?-C 11 tiyyia infvA. , ^VJJtiULlCU ituiiuaxiv li iU 1U tilAAw iutl Vtroduce the golden a*e of peace." A Family Poisoned. Jeffersoxville, Ind., Jan. '26.?A tenible tragedy took place last night at the home of George Madison, near this city. Yesterday Mrs. Madison had bee"n out working. When she returned she brought apples for the children. The family ate supper, the children eating the fruit with the peelisgson, while the parentspeeled those they ate. Immediately after Artie, 19 months old; James, 4 years old; Lulu, S j ears old, and a boy of five were taken severely ill with signs of strycnnme poisoning:, jssiore a pny sieian couid arrive the first two named children were dead. Lulu died during the night and the boy is very ill. Mrs. Madison is also ill. YT. J. XirvHTi la Austin. Austin, Texas, Jan. 27 ?The Hon. W. J. Bryan visited the Texas Leg is lature this mornin?, and all businesswas suspended while he made the two houses a ringicg speech similar to tiicse deiiverei during the late Presidential campaign. He took occasion to siy that he noted with pride that Texas was in the lead in the mat, l-.r of laws to regulate the corporations that wt re doing the country the most narm. He stated that in his State and others during the last twelve months corporations had stepped out of their chartered rights and into politics, and that he favored the enactment of a law | to prohibit any corporation from con{tn'outing money to a campaign fund. JSrj&a to Xsmmany. New York, Jan. 27.?The general i- r m r ion* I comanaee 01 iamniaxiy .u.ait 1 or io?f, | met tonight and organized. The fol* I losing message frors ilr. Bryan was i received with cheers: "I wish you would express to Tammany my appreciation cf the service rendered by the organization during the campaign just I closed. They did iheir duty and did j it veil, and are not to blame for our [defeat. To you I am specially indebted. Our cause will yet triumph."