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V / -r> The Press and Banner. ~ BYHUGH WILSON. AitiiETiiu:, ?. IN THE SENATE. WHAT HAS BEEN CONE DURING THE PAST WEEK. A Sve opsin of the Bill* of General Interest Introduced Into and Paused l>y the tipper Hour*. Columbia, S. C., Jan. 29.?The visit by the legislature to WiDthrcp college came up in the senate Saturday. As the matter nov 6tood both houses would probably adjourn today until the following Tuesday in order to enable the representatives to be at tioine Monday, which was salesday. A free excursion would be run Saturday and all the members could go to Winthrop without any time being lost and at no expense to the State. Mr. Sloan spoke in favor of the resolution and Mr. Archer against it! By a vole of 20 to 5 the resolution was adopted. Mr. Mayfield was seized with a desire yesterday to know who got the dispensary rebates. He introduced a concurrent resolution that a committee on investigation, composed of members of both houses, be appointed to investigate the dispensary charges of corruption. It passed without comment or objection. A joint resolution authorizing the State treasurer to issue to Samuel Lord, as receiver of the president and directors of the State bank, consolidation bonds or stock equal in amount to 50 per cent, of the par value of certain 6 per cent. State bonds and inter ii /?t-i l J esi mereon ^wuicu uuuus were ia&eu and lost or destroyed by Federal soldiers during the late civil war, and to which the said receiver, by decrees of the court, has been adjudged entitled, and to permit the refunding of the same under the acts for the redemption of the State debt. Mr. Mower introduced a bill to provide for the appointment of magis trates and to define their jurisdiction, powers and duties. This bill is the same one vetoed by Governor Evans in every particular, save that the words "should the senate refuse to confirm any appointee, it shall not be lawful for the governor to reappoint the party so rejected for that term," are stricken out. In the absence of the president and the president pro tem, Mr. Moses was called to the chair. It was his fortune to preside over tlje warmest ses-/ tna conoto Viae tpt VipIH Two fiery debates over second reading bills was the day's recotd. 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 the consolidation of certain railroads under that name, Lcame up for a sccond reading. Messrs. May field and McCallaof the committee on railroads submitted an unfavorable minority report and Mr. Mayfield moved an indefinite postponement of the resolution. After much talk the resolution wts votedonas follows: _ t Yea?.brown, iiuist, Dean, uennis, Douglass, Griffith, Henderson, Moses, Mower, O'Dell, Ragin, Scarborough, 81oan, Stackhouse, Talbird, Walker, Williams?17. Nay?Alexander, Archer, Connor, Gaines, Hay, Love, Mayfield, McCalla, McDaniel, Miller, Pettigrew, Ragsdale, Sanders, Turner, Wallace?15. As a two-thirds vote was necessary the resolution failed to pass. The second debate was on a bill to amend the free school law so as to require school trustees of each school district to be elected by the qualified electors. After considerable discussion the aje and nay vote was taken as to whether the enacting words should be stricken out with the following result: Aye?Alexander, Archer, Brown, Buist, Connor, Gaines, Griffith, Mayfield, McCalla, McDaniel, Miller, Moses, O'Dell, Peltigrew, Ragin, Sanders, Scarborough, Stackhouse, Talbird, Turner, Wallace. Williams?22. Nay?Dean, Dennis, Douglass, Hay, Henderson, Love, Mower, Ragsdale, Walker?9. The bill was killed by this overwhelming vote. In the Senate Tuesday when the hour arrived for the election of United States Senator, Mr. Dean as senator from Greenville arose to put in nomination Judge Earle. He said: "We are here to execute the will of the people; I, therefore, rise to place in nomination the name of the gentleman who was chosen by the people to represent tbem in the United States senate. A gentleman whose purity in public and private life has never been questioned ; a gentleman who will Reflect honor on this State in the halls of the national legislature. It is m-TT Tunvilonro tn nvficanf fVio noma nf UJJ Ik/llTliVSjV IV pj VkVUV IUW UWUJV v?4 the Bon. Joseph H. Earle of Greenville." Mr. Moses?I second the nomination of the Hon. Joseph H. Earle with pleasure. Mr. Henderson?If ability and purity of character in public and private life counts for aught, tben the Hon. Joseph H. Earle will ably represent this State. I second the nomination. Mr. Mayfield?Thegertleman whose name has been putin nomination was chosen bv the people after a heated campaign. I opposed hij election then, but since the will of the people has been expressed, it gives me pleasure to second the nomination of the Hon. Joseph H Earle. Mr. Buist?The metropolis cf the State unanimously endorses the election of the Hon. Joseph H. Earle. and as their representative, I second the nomination. Mr. Sloan?Representing the Capital city of the State, on its behalf it is with pleasure that I second the nomination of the Hon. Joseph H. Earle. Mr. Archer?As I understand it, if the roll is called we will all second the nomination of the Hon. Joseph H. Earle. The roll was then called, all the senators present voting for Judge Earle. In all 31 votes were cast. A concurrent resolution from the house providing for the appointment of a commission composed of three members of that tody and two of the senate to consider all matters relating to county government to sit in extra session and to have its report printed and mailed to each representative, was substituted for a similar senate resolution. After considerable discussion the resolution was indefinitely postponed. The senate bill extending the time for tfce collection of the commutation I road tax to the 15th of March was re I ceived from tb? house amended by expanding the time to tbelst of April. itns ?me;iuroeiii was accepiea. Some time pero in the Senate Mr. Norm introduced a bill requiring all ! studrMs at Clemscn to pay a tuition fee of $40 each per annum except such indigent students as the board might see fit to exempt. This bill, which has been on the calendar several days in the absence of its author, came up for a second reading Wednesday. Mr. McCalla offered an amendment to charge the tuition from $40 to $30. He said it was not right and just for Cl^mson to be put on ihe same footing with the other institutions ia this matter of tuition, for the taxpayers weie not required to coniribute to its support. It was a farmers'college, supported by farmers, and should be 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 and then dinctly keep up Clemson by the special tag tax on fertilizers. He thought this special* tax should go into the general fund so that all would bear equally their part of the burden. Mr. Pettigrew moved to table the amendment of Mr. McCalla. He did so, he said, because in every college everyone who was able to pay ought to De required 10 pay 1 ne iuu amount. The motion prevailed by a large majority. The bill then passed its second reading. Mr. Ragsdale's bill providing that the verdict of the jury shall not t>e set aside or modified 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 by the senate, the house of representatives concurring, that this general assembly does re spectfully urge upon the senators of United States the importance of taking prompt action in favor of the ratification of the treaty of arbitration betweeen the United States and Great Britain, whereby the sense of the American people m?y be manifested that a resort to war as a means of determining international disputes is unsuitable to the spirit of the age. Resolved, That a copy of these reso lutions be sent to the senators from this State with a request that they be presented to the senate. Tnis passsd without comment. | An unfavorable reoort being presented on Mr. Ragsdaie's bill to regulate the running of trains, so as to require fast mail trains to stop at all stations, Mr. Ragsdale asked to have the bill put on the calendar, as he wanted to see whether the railroads belonged to the State or the State belonged to the railroads. The committee seemed to think the State belonged to the railroads. Mr. Sloan qjickly replied that the committee did its own thinking. Mr. Ragsdale answered that he meant no offense, and the bill went on the calendar. In the Senate on Thursday a present ment was read from the Spartanburg grand jury calling attention to the lax administration of the law against carrying concealed weapons and reporting that the law was fast becoming a dead letter It was recommended that the Magistrates of the county rigid y enforce the law by punishing every violation. The gvand 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 the County Treasurer monthly. 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 thfe officers who were connected with the institution. If it was found that any person had dipped ped his hand into the public coffers let hiin wear the stripes, and by all means let the people of South Carolina know the truth, and relieve those ? ho were suffering under insinuations. Mr. Brown moved to strike out 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. Ragsdale's telegraph bill, which was reported unfavorably, was reachei, Mr. May field, of the committee, rose and moved the adoption of the report and rejection of the bill, which was carried by a vote of 24 to 7. A concurrent resolution (3ouse) to nllnw a bill to incornorate the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company of South Carolina and to authorize the consolidation of certain railroads under that name 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 boards of commission, and exempting Confederate veterans from any license charge was also passed. Mr. Buist introduced a bill prescrib ing heavy penalties by both fine and imprisonment fcr all sorts of irregularities in primary election. Liberty or Death. New York, Jan. 29.?Referring to the report that Spain is about to concede a home rule measure to the Cuban insurgents, ThomssEstrada Palraa of the Cuban Junta said today: 'Unconditional and absolute independence is all that Cuba will ever accept from the government of spain. If she cannot have it she prefers extermination. It is scarcely worth while to discuss a home rule proposition. It has not been made, and if it should be it will receive no consideration at our hands." A Railroad Slaughter. New Haven, Conn., Jan, 27.?The Colonial express,on the Consol idated Road, east bound, struck and killed five men at East Norwalk, about 2 o'clock this afternoon. The men had been workiDg on the track and stepped out of the way of one train directly in front of another. At this point there are four tracks, and the train the men desired to avoid ana the one which killed them were both moving in the same direction. Feet Cat Ofl' by a Train. Petersburg, Va., Jan. 28.?Mr. James Williamson, an employe of the Atlantic Coast Line anda well-known citizen of Petersburg, was run over by a train tonight and both feet cut off. It is feared that his injuries will prove fatal. IN THE HOUSE. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE DURING THI PAST WEEK. j A SjnopM?.of the Bills of General Intoren Introduced Into and Passed by the Low er House. Columbia, S. C., Jan. 29.?Th 1 House of Representatives is now get ting down to work m dead earnea and from now on will make thing move. Among the new bills intro duced since our last l-eport was on* by Mr. Perritt to require 80 per cent of the commutation road tax to be ex pended on the roads and bridges o the townships from which it is collect ed. Mr. Burns introduced a bill to regu late the manufacture, inspection shipment and sale of commercial fer tilizers and manures, the privilege taa on same and providing a penalty fo violating the provisions of this act Pn/vrrieJrtn ic modn in tViA Kill for thl trustees of Clemson college, upon thi receipt by the State treasurer of II cents per ton on fertilizers sold, to is sue privilege tax tas;s. That when s< issuedj these tags shall be cancelled bj the company, selling the fertilizers stamping its name across the face o them, and provides for the punish ment of persons issuing fraudulen tags or in any way attempting <0 evad< the tax. The principal intention o the bill is to abolish all of the privi' lege tax on fertilizers, except so muck as shall be necessary to pay for th< analyses of fertilizers, and thus pro tect the farmers against adulterated goods. This tax being a discriminat ing class tax paid by one class and en joyed by all others, no revenue fea ture is permitted, Mr. Burns holding it an incorrect theory of taxation, The support of all our educational institutions he says, should be be placed upon the same footing anc supported oy a uirect apprupnauuu from the State treasury, according tc their several wants and necessities as the legislature in its wisdom may de cide. ' Mr. Laylon introduced a bill tc amend the general pension law. The bill provides that applications shall be submitted to a board of three <:x Con federates aod physician. The chairman of the several camp boards shall be known as examining boards of pen sions, which shall meet on the third Monday in January, 1898, and on the third Monday of January in each sue ceedingyear. It shall be their duty to examine all applications under regulations prescribed by the secretary o! state, attorney general and coroptrol ler general, who shall constitute "State boards of pensions," and they shall certify to the State board their ap proval of applications giving in detail the reason which influence them to grani or oppose cacu appucauuu, ac compabied by all the evidence upon which they made their decision. In selecting pensioners from 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 sum of $8, $6 or $1 as they may be entitled under the provision of the act The sum of $700 is appropriated out of funds in the treasury to defray the expenses of the examining boards, which shall be five cents per mile for travel each way in attending the meeting. The several camps -shall meet on the third Mbnday of December, 1897, and the same day in each subsequent year and shall elect three of i their members, who shall not be an applicant for pensions, as camp examining board, the chairmen of these several camp boards to be the county naming board vVhen there are no camps, or when they fail to carry out ttie provisions 01 the act the State board shall appoint itiree ex-Confederatee, non-applicants or penesions, who shaLl constitute the State board. Unfavorable reports ^ ere pr< seated 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 minority report), the bill to ameEd the privileged tax ac?, 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 funds to the counties of the State. When Mr. Harvey's bill to require the killing of dogs bitten by any animal suffering with rabies was called up for a final reading, Mr. Pollock moved to indefinitely postpone it. The bouse 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 nefw Constitution, was taken up and passed to a third reading. Mr. Timmerman's bill to forbid the couty supervisor, the board of township commissioners and the county board of commissioners from entering into or making any contract or audit iJJg uuy uaiux a^aiusb iuuu counties for any fiscal year beyond or in excess of the appropriation made by the general assembly for such year, and making a violation of such forbidden acts a misdemeanor was then taken up, and Mr. Tim merman defended his bill at some length, Mr. Graham having moved to strike out the enacting words. Mr. Graham thought the bill would do the county governmeut sjs tem more harm than good. He thought it would work a great hardship on the county officials. Mr. Cushman of Aiken said his county was between $10,000 and $12,000 in debt and they felt that something should be done. Mr. Cushman moved to add at the end of section 1 the words "but nothing in this section shall be construed to include cases where expenditures are rendered necessary by the act of God or the public [enemy." Mr. Crum favored the bill. He said jif there were not restrictions aloug this line they would soon have all counties badly in debt. Mr Rogers asked what county officials would do in taking care of prisoners if the funds gave out two or three months before the year was up; would they starve them or turn tbem loose? Mr. Price said, his county had gotten into trouble and he wanted something done along this line. All over the house members rose to speak on the same lice. Mr. 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 thamselves liable to imprisonment. Dr. Ilderton said there should be some restriction and some limit should \ be placed around the officials. He favored the amendment. Mr. Efird was opposed to thebili. i He thought expenditures on roads, etc., were in the line of "money well spent." He asked how may county ' officiaJs in Mr. Timmerman's county, 1 besides Ihe county supervisor had de. faulted. He also asked Ma Goodwin if the extra amount expended in Greenville hadn't been of great permanent e benefit to the county. Mr. Goodwin replied at some length. He detailed t the affairs of GreenviiJe county very s fully. Mr. Price disclaimed any in. tention of reflecting on the officials in B his county; the county was$17,000 be, hind; he lihought perhaps they had > been a little extravagant, f Mr. Efird said that such expenses - were expec!3d to arise during the first t.wn vpars under the new county gov . ernment system. He thought this bill would no hamper the officials that - they might as well go back to the- old c system. r Finally, Mr. Rogers moved toindefi. nitely postpone tne bill. The house a declined to do so. Mr. White moved to s recommit the bill, which was done by 5 a vote of 46 to 29. The purpose is to - perfect the bill. > Mr. Westmoreland's bill to require j certain officers to keep an itimized ac, count of .their income by virtue of f their office, and to require them to - make a quarterly report of the same t was taken up. 3 / After some slight amendments had f been madQ Mr. Stevenson moved to strike out the whole of section 4 of the i bill, saving it was impracticable, i Mr. Price of Orangeburg was heart ily in favor of the provision. He said I he had had personal exnerienca in trying to find out the receipts of the various offioes. The people wanted to know the income of the various offi; ces. There was no hardship about the . provision. 1 Mr. Stevenson said all the people i wanted to know was the income of I the offices and not what was on the l' b00KS. > The house refused to accept Mr. j Stevenson's suggestion. Mr. deLaach thought annual reports i;ufficia?. t and so amended the , bill, and it finally passed in this form: Section 1. r?hat on and after the casSaee ( of this net each county officer Bhall be required to pur:hase and keep in his office, open to public inspection during office hours, | a book in which shall be kept an itimized account of all money received bj him, whether " as salary, cos is, fees or in any other manner, I as pay to him for his services by virtue of his > office. Sec. 2. That at the close 3f every fiscal ' year each county officer shall transmit a copy of said account, under oath, to the ' office of county supervisor. Sec. 3. That the county supervisor, in adi dition t o other books kept in his office, shall < keep a separate book in which he shall enter < . upon his books the total amount of each ac- < /tnnnf pa furntpliofl nnnnaifa fhp namft of the t i officer burnishing the said account, and file ; the account in his office as other county record*, are kept. , Sec. 4. That at the end of. every fiscal ( year each county officer shall also furnish, . 1 under oath, an itimized statement showing 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 1 or refusing to comply with any of the pro- ' i visions of the foregoiug act shall be deemed ] guilty of a misdemennor, and upon convic- 1 tion shall be fined not less than $50 nor < more than $200, or imprisoned in the coun- I ty jail not less than two nor more than six < flWkftw am Knlk n# 4Vio rlie/i?ntinn nf I mvutuj, giiuct vi ugbu^ kuu uigvivuvu v* j the court. ] Sec. G. That this act shall be deemed a , public act, aud shall take effect immediately | upon its approval by the governor. When the above bill -was taken up ; for a final readinjr Mr. Perritt moved , to reconsider the vote, whereby it Jbad ( been ordered to a third reading. Then , the counties of Marlboro. Darlington, , Richland, Chesterfield, Horry, Abbe- | ville. Charleston. Lancaster, Barn- , well, Edgefield and 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 vote of 38 to 32. Mr. Patton's much-talk-of redisricting bill was introduced Monday. It will be noticed that the territorial designations long in use have been selected for the districts. This is to prevent persons from confusing the districts with the numbered judicial 1 circuits, there being no requirement j preventing such nomenclature. Here are the districts proposed: ] Dftft "H* A M U AftfAM Mo?1. . 1 COX/CU A/XObllVt V/UVilllOA UVAWi mama A | boro, Darlington, Florence, Marion < and Horry. ] Santee District?Georgetown, Williamsburg, Charleston, Berkeley and t Dorchester. j Edisto Dirtrict?Orangeburg, Barn- t well, Colleton, Hampton and Beau- ( fort. i Wateree District-Fairfield,Kershaw, j Richland, Sumter and Clarendon. Saluda District?Laurens, Green- ] wnnH Nnwhp.rrv. Saluda. Lexington 1 and Aiken. 1 Northern District ? Spartanburg, t Cherokei?, Union, York, Chester and t Lancaster. ] Piedmont District ? Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson and Abbe- ? ville. Mr. Rainsford's anti-trust bill was J taken up and passed in the following t shape: J Section 1. That from and after the pass- j age of this, all arrangements, contracts, r agreements, trust or combinations between j 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 i nto this State, or in the F manufacture or sale of articles of domestic J growth or of domestic raw material, and all ' arrangements, contracts, agreements, trusts t or combinations between persons or corporations designed, or which tend to advance, I reduce or control the price or the cost to the g producer or to the consumer of any such product or article, are hereby declared to t be against public policy, unlawful and void, a Sec. 2. Whenever complaint is made upon ] sufficient affidavit or aflldavits showing a prima facie case of violation of the provision of a the first section of this act, by any corpora- r tion, domestic or foreign, it shall be the dutv j of the attorney general to begin an action 1 againt such domestic corporation to forfeit its charter, and in case such violation shall be established the court shall adjudge the ? charter of such corporat ion to be forfeited ^ and such corporation shall be dissolved and t its charter shall cease and determine, and in i case of such showing as to a foreign corpr?a- i tion the actio a shall be begun by the attorney general in said court against such corporation to uetermine the truth of such charge and in case such charge shall be considered established, the effect of the judgment of the court shall be to deny to such j" corporation the recognition of its corporate existence in any court of law in equity in a State. But nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any right of action then 8 existing against such corporation. t Sec. 3. Any violation of the provision of t this act shall be deemed, and is hereby de- <3 <1 clared to be destructive of full and free competition and a conspiracy againft trade, and any person or persons who may engage in such conspiracy, or who shall, as principal? lllfcfc linger, uucuiui ur ajjcui, ui xu <xuy uliici capacity, knowingly carry out any of the stipulations, purposes, prices, rates or orders made in furtherance of such conspiracy, shall, on conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $5,000, and by imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than six months nor more than 10 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 section 1 of this act, may sue for and recover, in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State, of any person, persons or corporator operating such trust or combination the full consideration of sum paid by him or then; for any goods, wares, merchandise or arti cles the Bale of which is controlled by such combination or trust. Sec. 5. That any and all persons may b( compellable to testify in any action or pros ecution under this act; provided, that such testimony shall not be used in any other action or prosecution against each witness oi witnesses and forever be exempt from anj prosecution for the act or acts which he oi they testify. Mr. Livingston's concurrent resolution relating to appointment of joint committee to consider all acts and parts of acts relating to county and township government, inclusive of fees and salaries of bounty officers was adopted without-debate. A concurrent 'resolution offered by Mr. Rain8ford was adopted requiring tbe directors of the State penitentiary to examine into tbe cost and feasibility of erecting a plant at the penitentiary for the purpose of converting phosphate rock into acid phosphate, reporting at the next session. The house adopted the senate resolution to extend the time for tne collection of tbe commutation road tax in tne several counties after changing the date from March 15 to April 1, by an amendment offered by Mr. Cush man. Without debate the senate bill to amend tbe act to authorize and empower 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 exisliaat tbe 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 children of the State from the baneful influence of false and partizan instruction. The bill should pass. Another important measure introj j m j I L:II I~ ~ n uuceu xuesaay was a uui tu hiiuw county boards of control to purchase certain Jiquors for the county dispensers under certain restrictions. A bill was introduced providing for the payment of tuition fees by all persons attending the State educational colleges and universities, except the institution for the deaf and blind. Mr. John P. Thomas, Jr., presented a bill to further provide for the return and assessment of property for taxation. This bill provides for the fur ther return of property for the purpose of taxation and defining the duties of boards of assessors. The main Dbject of the bill is to require the re turn and reassessment of real estate luring the year 1898 and in every further year thereafter. As the law now stands there is no provision at all under the new Constitution for the return of real estate. The bill also defines the duties of township commissioners while acting as boards of assessors. It requires these boards to Dverlook all returns made to the auditor and to add to those returns all real ind personal property that has not uevu iviuriicu ur una cwiapou u*a?lion. . The bill seeks particularly to secure fuller returns of personal property, to the end that the burden of taxation may not bear so heavily up3n the real estate owner. A bill was introduced to repeal the net 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 Dr by members of the general assembly of this State or by any State or ;ounty official or by any judge of a A. - * J 1 ? iL!. Cti.i. xiuri 01 recuru in iuits ouue. There ^ere a number of other new sills introduced on Tuesday, but the iboveare the most important. Mr. Sinkler's bill to regulate and limit the hours of work of certain emjlojees of electric and other street ?r companies was then taken up and passed to a third reading. Mr. Livingston's resolution to limit he time for introducing bills and joint resolutions was taken up, imended so as to fix Feb. 5, as the late beyond which they could not be ntroduced save by committee chairnen, and then adopted: The hour having arrived, Mr. Polrv.W Kiisnpnriprf ?nri th? plflntion of a JnitedStates senator to succeed Sena or Irby was proceeded with. The election consumed only 10 minutes of he time of the house, and it was merey a matter of form. Mr. Blythe of Greenville rose and iddressed the speaker thus; Mr. Speaker: I nominate Hon. loseph H. Earle of Greeftville. A sis veil known to the general assembly, fudge Earle was nominated for this >osition at the late Democratic primay election held for that purpose, I ake it, therefore, that the duty of the oembers of this general assembly in lasting their ballots will be largely >erfunctory and that they will con Irm the action of the Democrats at he primary bv the unanimous elecion of Judge Earle. Mr. E. D. Smith seconded the nomilation on behalf of the Sumter delegation . Dr. Wyche moved that nominaions now close. This was agrejd to md Messrs. Wyche, E. D. Smith and 5ollock appointed tellers. The colored member, Sir. Anderon, voted for G. W. Murray. The est of the vote was cast forjudge Carle, as follows: Earle, 97; Murray, The session of the House Wedneslay was devoted to discussion. There vas talk and no end to it. Among he new bills introduced of general nterest may be mentioned the followng: A bill to provide for the office of >anking and insurance cjmmission ind to define the duties of the same. Mr. Kinard has introduced a bill to equire all common carriers to pay all oss or damages for loss or breakage o: my article shippeu over their lines. Mr. McWhite introduced a bill to lutboriza and require the county reasurers of the several counties of his State to pay out the prohts of the lispensary which are paid over to him I for certain claims; and the county sunervisors to draw their warrants first for said claims. The committee reported unfavorably upon the joint resolutions to authorize the general assembly to estab lish new counties pendiag the further election for the location and name of the county seats. The unfavorable report was adopted and the resolution rejected. Among the many matters unfavorably reported by the committees were the following: Mr. Witherspoon'fl bill relating to the free school law. The bill fixing the fees of witnesses . attending the courts of general ses1 sions. J The bill to authorize the purchase of 1 bloodhounds. ' The bill to require 80 per cent, of the road tax to be applied to the im provement of bridges and roads in , several townships of the State. As members of the special commit. tees to whom all bills and matters re. lating to the dispensary law and pen sions are to be referred the speaker an' nounced the appointment of the fol lowing: Aiken, A. W. Cushman; Laurens, 0. P. (Joodwin; Fairfield, J. G. Wallins; York, S. H. Epps, Cheai ter. P. T. Hollis, Pickens, Joel H. I Miller; Greenville, H. P. Goodwin; . Horry. Jeremiah Mishoe; Darlington, ' A. J. A. Perritt; Florence, B. B. Mci White; Richland, L. D. Childs; Barnwell, JVM. Skinner; Kershaw, D. M. ' Bethune; Abbeville, A. J. Speer; New; berry, John F. Banks; Marlboro, J. F. McLaurin; Berkeley, B. H. Henderson; Charleston, W. H. Sinkler; Anderron, R. B. A. Robinson; Claren; don, C. M. Davis; Spartanburg, R. A. T I CU1. T> T n 1 jutuiutuner; oaiuua, ?j. xm uaii^uuiaii, Lexington, D. P. Efird; Willi imsbarg, J. L. Graham; Oconee, 0. R. D. Burns; Georgetown, M. W. Pyatt; l Chesterfield, W. P. Pollock ;Lancas' ter, C. H. Plyer; Union, C. W. Whisonant; Marion, J. D. Haselden; Sumter, W. A. Nettles; Edgefield. W. H. Yeldell; 'Beaufort, W. C. Vincents , Orangeburg, A. F. H. Dukes; Colleton, E. J. Limehouse; 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 passad without a word. On its final reading the senate bill relating to the aboliton of the c ffice of referee in certain counties was amended by Mr. McWhite so as to strike out i Florence ana was tnen passed. It was 11:30 o'clock before the house got to "unfinished business,'' taking up Mr. Bedon's bill *o amend the act relating to fishing at certain times in Aiken, Barnwell, Darlington, Colleton and Orangeburx counties. It was promptly ordered to a third reading without debate. Mr. Timmerman's bill to forbid the county supervisors, the boards of township commissioners and the county board of commissioners from entering into or making any contract or auditing any claim against incir- respective counties for any fiscal yfcar beyond or in excess of the appropriation made by the general assembly for such year, and making a violation of such forbidden acts a felony was taken up. In the House Thursday Mr. Kibler's bill to provide for an insurance and banking commissioner was unfavorably reported, as was also Mr. Robinson's bill to repeal the anti-free pass act. Mr. W. S. Smith introduced a bill to provide for a new judicial circuit to be known as the niuth judicial circuit and to define the limits of the first, second and third judicial circuits. Mr. Verner 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 con?? i?/ i- 1 v. viciiuu ueiurtJ a luttgiairtue auau uo fined $100, to be collected by the magistrate and paid into the county treasury 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. Verner introduced another bill to require railroad companies to pay for crossties within a certain time The bill provides: "That whenever any person or persons or corporation under a contract with ^ny railroad company owning or operating a railmithin hio Sfoto shall HfllivAl1 crpssties, bridge timbers, or other constructing and operating materials upon the line of any railroad company, it shall be the duty of said rail- , road company to receive and pay for such material within 60 days after the same shall have been delivered, either to the party ownifig or delivering the same, or his orner assignee. Mr. Thomas introduced a bill to pre- i vide for the sale of native wines in the j county dispensaries, the producers to i receive a percentage of the profits, ; such percentage to be fixed by the : State board of control. < Mr. Crum introduced a bill to estab- < lish Bamberg County. j Mr. McCullough presented a pretest 1 from 1,200 operatives of the Piedmont : cotton mills against any kind of labor j legislation in this State. Mr. Miles presented a similar petition from oper- i atives in Spartanburg; Mr. Ashley i presented a like petition from opera- < lives in Anderson and Mr. Townsend j one from mill employes in Union. ] Mr. Toole's bill, unfavorably reported , to provide for the election of masters was taken up and Mr. Magill moved to strika out the enacting words, which was carried by a vote 1 of 58 to 47. Mr. Skinner's bill requiring the 1 sinking fund commission to lend funds t to the several county treasurers of the < State for the us? of their counties in t preference to lending some to other ' applicants for such funds, which had 1 been unfavorably reported, was called \ up and the fight of tJae day begun. 1 After considerable discussion the ( bill was passed to a third reading in < this shape: - < Section 1. That the sinking fund cornmis- t sion nre hereby authorized and required, j when unable to purchase valid bonds of this ( Suite at par, to lend the money to the sinking fund commission at a rate of interest not less than 1 1-2 per centum per annum, and l'or a time not longer than one year, upon < pledge of the forthcoming taxes of the cur- j rent fiscal year, to the several county treas- ] urers of this State. The application for a j 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. 1 The form of such pledge shall be approved by ! the attorney general of this State, and the : [CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR ] | < ? "i ' ? '$ /:' .--fa ' , VfJH 1 STARTLING FIGURES. ? I THE RAPID GROWTH OF CRIME Iff/ THE UNITED STATES. i A Methodist Conference Calls for Thou*- I anas or sermons on tne Text "xnoa Bluuf' JTotKllL" Atlanta, Qa., Jan. 27.?The Methodist Episcopal conference, which has J been i a session at the Loya street eoL- ' oredchurcb, before adjourning toojfcfj action on a very interesting subject. The delegates discussed the great qtxes-. \ tion ot the increase of the crime of? murder in this country, and, while the causes for the increase were notK developed in their action, the reaoltt-I tion adopted makes good reading* and will attract the attention of the pen of ; the country. During the final session of the conference Bev. Dr. Mason ipm troduced a resolution which W|? unanimously adopted, upon want' up the country to the imporianceaf the murder question. It required the Episcopacy, as a ' body, to instruct Methodist Episcopal ministers throughout this country?: il AM AAA 1 *._ A. ^ , t. - -,f-? ..'.I mere are zu,uuu puipiis?10 prercn woo l sermon a year on the 6th command-, I ment, ''Thou shalt not kill," as tt&jl means of producing a correct public | opinion as to the value of human life' I and as a warning of the great danger I of national judgment for unrequired J blood. But here are the resolutioraj| "Whereas, the crime of murder increasing in the land and becoming*! the most popular of crimes because bf|j the venial character of our criminal"! courts, by whom many murderers are*. J allowed to escape,) while many snfferia no penalty ait all?showing a greater?! number of murders and homimde*n|9 the million of inhabitants than any 1 European nation which keeps a record s of the matter, when measured byt&kPI rule the United States leads the Hot,<> J being the most-bloodthirsty nation in 1 matters of private war. 1 , "The following figures show the-J growth of the crime. In 1886 fftgrfl numbers for the first time exceeded' j * "Li 1887 it was about 2,335. , "In 1888 it was about 2,884. :;$1 "In 1889 it was about 2,569. : 1 "In 1890 it was about 4,290. rVjH "In 1891 it was about 5,906. , f "In 1892 it wasabout 6,79L, 4 'In 1893 it was about 6,615. V/y&M "In 1894 it was about 9,800. > \/M "III 1895 i( was about 10?l2, [ "The report for last year has -not ! been made up, but we have abundant! evidence that the blood stained xecom s ' J III J T-t vj grows aau win no uouui oxcwu pupm previous years of crimd. 1 "And whereas, we know from the] Word of God, that a blood-staixied 'I land, which in its courts and by its ! practice boldly tramples under foot 1 the sixth commandment, 'Thou ahait 1 not kill,' must thereby attract to it- fl self the judgments of AlmUrhty God, fl impending events - which should be^fl avoided by repentance and reform*!^! "And whereas, the Gospel ahd IH* |1 vine Law are the only instrumentl|fl which wjll create a just public opiiKB ion on this subject, a thing mttctf l nnvfh oml onnfh tYiAMmM fl uv/vuvu uviuu tutu ouuvu | mm ^ "L Resolved. That we earneirtiyv and respectfully request our Episcopal' board at its meeting in the fall, to ufc struct all Methodist pastors under 'Hfr supervision, to preach one sermon ift the year on the sixth commandment* Thou shalt not kill,'so as to strength-, en the hands of just magistrates andi courts, and to recover this root law, of the amenities and peaceful mes*. ures of life, whether domestic or in-* ternational from disrespect, neglect and oblivion. _ "2. Resolved, That whilst anxious^ to correct a great evil at home we are not insensible of the evils and demor; alizing influences of foreign war?ancfc as ministers of the Prince of Peace we tender our support to all meacttr^v looking to the arbitration of intftJM* tional strife?and thus from Our hum* : ble place amongst men we freely congratulate the government At Washington cm the happy issue of threatened trouble with England, andas citizen! we recommend the adoption of tbe pending treaty of arbitration. . " "3. Resolved, That we re^e^jjlly ask our sister conference* to u&xte * * Anil frt that YYJLbLl UO IU bUiO ^bliuvuj ?m?* w i ? ? end that a copy of this action be set&fl by our secretary to each conference fl in our American work?conscious iftfl we are that the deliverances of fifteen fl thousand or more pulpits in one year fl on this momentous suoject, will be a fl volume and measure of moral power fl of such magnitude as will cause bcnfl ligerants, courts and juries to reflect fl and reform-^-whilst this practice iffl continued annually will in timeinfcro- fl troduce the golden age of peace." fl A Family Poisoned* . Jefferson ville, lucl, Jan. ,26.?A fl terrible tragedy took place last night fl at the home of George Madison, near fl this city. Yesterday Mrs. Madison fl bad been out working. When ihefl returned she brought apples for the fl children. The family ate supper, thefl children eating the fruit withtne peel-fl LBgs on, while the parents peeled tnottH they ate. Immediately after Artie, fl 19 months old; James, 4 years old Lulu, 8 years old, and a boy of flvefl were taken severely ill with signs of fl strychnine poisoning. Before a phy fl iician could arrive the first two named fl children were dead. Lulu died dur- H ing the night and the boy is very ill.H Sirs. Madison is also ill. fl XV. j. Bryan In Austin. Bfl Austin, Texas, Jan. 27.?The Hon.flj W. J. Bryan visited the Texas Legisla- H ;ure this morning;, and all busmen H was suspended while he made the twoH louses a ringing speech similar toH .hose delivered during the late Presi-H lential campaign. He took occasionH o say that he noted with pride thatH Ceyis was in the lead in thematjflj ier of laws to regulate the corporation* J .hat were doing the country the moetH larm. He stated that in his State andfl )thers during the last twelve monthsH corporations had stepped out of theirH ^bartered rights and into politics, andH ,hat be favored the enactment of a lawH ,o prohibit any corporation from con-H ;ributing money to a campaign fund.^J Bryan to Tammany. MB New York, Jan. 27.?The general? jommittee of Tammany Hall for 1897,^H net tonight and organized. The fol^H lowing message from Mr. Bryan wa^H received with chesrs: ,4I wish you^B would express to Tammany my appre-^^ siation of the service rendered by th^fl Drganization during the campaign jusfl| closed. They did their duty and diJH it well, and are not to blame for oui^H Jefeat. To you I am specially inH Jebted. Our cause will yet triumph.