The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, February 03, 1897, Image 9
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.