The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, January 15, 1904, Image 2

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ESTABLISHED 1865 N EWBERRY. S. C.. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1904. TWICE A WEEK. 81.50 A YEAR GENERAL ASSEIBLY IS NOW IN SESSION. BOTH HOUSES COWNVENED AT HIGH NOON ON TUESDAY. New BIls Introduced On First Day-The Elections-In Memory Of The Lament ed Gordon-Other Matters. ColumAbia, January 14.-The gen eral assembly convened at high noon on Tuesday. This being a middle term and all the members having served during one session, both houses were or ganized and got down to business with very little ceremony. The matter of the election to be held during the session wai taken up early in the day and Mr. Aull's resolution in the house calling for an election of an associate justice, two members of the penitentiary board, a chairman of the dispensary board, two dispensary directors, a liquor commissioner and a state librarian, to be held on Friday. The matter was referred to the commit tee on privileges and elections. The most important event of the first day, and that which consumed the most time, as is usual, was the reading of the governor's annual message. The message was given to the readers of the Herald and News in an extra edition shortly after it was delivered. TMST DAY IN THE SENATE. - - When the roll of the Senate was called there were only six absentees. Mr. G. L Holliday, of Horry, was sworn in, succeeding Senator Mc Dermotte, who has resigned since the last session. The proceedings were opened with prayer by the Rev. W. I. Herbert, in the absence of the chaplain. Lieutenant Governor Sloan de livered an appropriate address, referring to the fact that the ranks I of the senators had not been entered by death, and expressing the heart felt wish that they would live on to see South Carolina, now great and Cigrand, become greater and grander. He expressed the wish that their . proceedings would be characterized by harmony, courtesy, intelligence C and dignity. | A concurrent resolution was in troduced by Senator Mayfield, in viting all county supervisors to Sattend the good roads convention to1 be held in Columbia on the 19th of Sthis month and providing for the payment of their railroad expenses by the legislature. A special message was received from th~ governor on the death of General Gordon. and the following concurrent resolution was offered by Senator Aldrich: Whereas, it has pleased the Al mighty to end the brilliant earthly career of that splendid soldier and statesman, Gen. John B. Gordop, of Georgia: and, Whereas, at a trying period and critical period in the histor y of the State he camne to our aid and rend ered voluntary service of such value and devotion as entitles him forever to be known as the friend of the people of South Carolina : Now, t$erefore, be it Resolved by the senate and House bof represntatives of South'Carolina, pt ihat a committee of honor be raised FIv o attend the funeral of Gen. Gor Fi don and to pay the State's tribute of respect to his memory, said comn mittee to be composed of his Excel lency, the Governor, or such mem bers of the executive department as he may designate, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or such member of the judicial department as he may designate, three Senators, to be appointed by the President of the Senate and four of the House of Representatives, and that the ser geant-at-arms of the houses be in structed to carry out the provisions of this resolution. The resolution was sent to the, house and was concurred in by that body. The large portrait of General Gordon in the senate chamber had already been draped in crape by the sergeant at-arms, A the suggestion of Senator Sheppard. THE FIRST DAY IN THE HOUSE. The proceedings of the house were opened with prayer. Speaker . L. Smith was very eloquent in his opening address, saying the members ofthe house had assembled to look after the welfare of their people. That was the highest law and he would caution them that it was more important to find what was necessary than to apply the remedy. The special message of governor Heyward and the concurrent resolu tion of the senate relative to the death of General Gordon were re ceived, and speaker Smith appointed the following committee to attend the funeral, saying that he thought those who had fought with Gordon were the proper ones to represent the State at his funeral: Messrs. Trible; James, Brooks, Jeremiah Smith and King. Mr. McGill lintroduced a bill of local nature, which the house re fused to refer to a speeial commit tee consisting of the Greenwood delegation. Mr. W. J. Johnson, of Fairfield, introduced a bill proposing a fran chise tax of one tenth of one per cent. upon the capital of every corporation in the State, except cotton mills, doing business for profit under a State charter, and requir'ng that the corporations, make reports to the secretary of State.I SECOND DAY IN THE SENATE. The Senate yesterday took up the consideration of the 34 bills left over from last session, mostly which were either recommitted or passed over without discussion. A resolution was passed inviting Senator Latimer to address the legislature on the 20th. The good roads convention which will be in session here at the time, will be invited to be present. SECOND DAY IN THE HOUSE. The house yesterday morning adopted the~ concurrent resolution fixing Frid:.; as the day for the electionsS There was considerable discus sion on the matter of referring measures to special commit tees. The discussio~n was provoked by a mo tion to refer a bill relating solely to* Charleston to the Chairleston dele gation. The motion was finally: killed and the bill went to the regular committee. THE HAMPTON MIONUMENT. A number of new measures were: mntroduced,-among them a bill to increase the appropriation for erect i.g a monument to Hampton to $3o,ooo. It will be remembered that at the last session an appro priatior was made for this purpose to be available only when the citi 6ens of the State had voluntarily :ontributed $o,ooo to supplement the appropriation. Not more than balf this amount has been raised so. Far The bills to prevent delays in freight shipments and to outlaw lot machines, were passed to a third reading. Mr. Kirby's bill to appropriate $ioo,ooo for public schools and Mr. Taylor's bill to abolish sheriffs' ,nd treasurers' fees were killed. LATEST FROM LEGTSLATURE. Interesting News About the Forthcom ing Election-The Candidates and the Offces. Special to The Herld and News. Columbia, S. C. January i4 rhe general assembly will probably 2ot go into an election until Wed aesday. Hon. H. H. Evans has no an 2ounced opponent of the dispen ,ary board, though former senator McDermotte, of Horry. S. C., is being talked and a possibility, rowell of Lexington, Wylie of ,hester, Walker of Barnwell, and Boyken of Kershaw are in the race 'or the two other positions on the 3oard. W. 0. Tatum, and W. D. Black are in the race for liquor com-i nissioners. Mr. Tatum will proba aIy be elected associate judge. Woods will succeed himself with )ut opposi ion. Miss LaBorde is )pposed for state librarian by sev ral ladies, but will in all proba ility be elected for another term. rhere are a number of candidates for the penitentiary board. BRYAN WANTS NEW PARTY. dvocates Campaign on National Issues. New Haven, Conn., Jan. 14. Wm. J. Bryan arrived here today n business connected with the Ben nett will. This evening he was given a reception at the Hypercen Theatre. He made an address ad vocating national instead of party issues for the coming campaign, placing himself on record for broad ening the policy of the Democratic party, and foreshadowing the for mation of a party along new lines as laid down by himself this even ing. A large crowd listened atten tively, applauding liberally. Death of Mr. Thomas V. Wicker. Mr. Thomas V. Wicker died at his home in the -city at 3 o'clock yerterday afternoon, in the Soth year of his age. He was a con sistent member of the Methodist church and leaves a wife and several children and grandchildren. Funeral services this afternoon at the house at half past three. Ir. terment in Ros.emont cemetary. 'Worthily Done. The John M. Kinard Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, sent Mr R. Herman Wright as its represen tative at ti funeral of General Gordon. The Drayton D. Rutherford Chap ter of the Confederacy, sent a beau tiful wreath of flowers for General ordon's grave. CITIZENS WILL SEEK SOME OTHER METHOD. A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONFER WITH COUNCIL. A Communication Received From The City Council iiving A Full Statement of the Town's Financial Condition. The adjourned citizens' meeting held in the court house on Wednes day afternoon heard the report of its committee, appointed at the previous meeting, submitting a full statement of the town's finan cial condition, and after a full and free discussion of the necessity for the license tax recently imposed by the council, continued the com mittee, with the addition of the chairman of the meeting, to confer with council and to report to a fourth meeting, some measure for funding the floating indebtedness of the town and by which the cur rent expenses may be met out of the revenues. The meeting was at tended by about sixty citizens. The meeting was called to order by Chairman George B. Cromer. THE COMMITTEE REPORT. The committee, consisting of Messrs. George Johnstone, chair man, W. E. Pelham, 0. B. Mayer, T. C. Pool, B. F. Griffiin, F. H. Dominick, and E. C. Jones, ap pointed at the last meeting to secure adequate information as to the financial condition of the town, re ported through its chairmai, Col. Johnstone, as follows: QUESTIONS ASKED BY COMMITTEE. The following communication was handed Mayor Earhardt by the committee: John W. Earhardt, Esq., Mayor of the Town of Newberry, Newber ry, S. C.-Dear Sir: The under signed have been appointed a com mittee on behalf of a meeting of the citizens of the town who have under consideration certain matters -elat ing t6 the finances of the town in which they are vitally interested. They requested of us to obtain cer tain information from you which is necessary, as they conceive it, to an intelligent understanding of the matters in which they are concerned. They request us, therefore, to ask of you the following information: I. What are the entire revenues of the town, and from wplat sources are they derived, and what amount is derived from each source? In this connection, we would be glad to have a statement, (a), As to what is the amount derivable from the ordinaty six mill levy; (b), what amount is derived under each of the special levies and what are the amount for the special levies. 2. What is the indebtedness of the town? Under this head, we would like to be informed, (a), what is the present amount of the different bond issue outstanding a gainst the town: (b), what is the amount of the floating debt includ ing all items rot covered by the bonded debt, a:d we would like to know to whom this indebtedness is owed, and what rate of interest it is drawing. 3. What amount is it estimated that the present license ordinance of the town recently passed will bring into the Treasury ? 4. To what purposes is it pro posed to apply the amount realized under the present recently passed lcne ordinauce. We would be pleased to have this information at the earliest practicable moment as we under stand that it is desired that we sub mit it to an adjourned meeting of the citizens on Wednesday next. Very truly yours, George Johnstone, Ch'n W. E. Pelham, Fred. H. Dominick, B. F. Griffin, T. C. Pool, E. C. Jones, 0. B. Mayor, Committee. THE ANSWER OF COUNCIL. To this communication council replied as follows: Newberry, January 12. Messrs. Geo. Johnstone, Pe1ham, Mayer, Pool, Griffin, F. H. Domi nick and E. C. Jones, Committee: Gentlemen: In reply to your re quest for informati6n concerning certain matters relating to the finances of the town in which the citizens are virtually interested, it gives me great pleasure to hand you the within statement. If we have failed to fully cover all ques tions, or if any further information is desired, _please call on the City Clerk who will gladly furnish you with whatever additional informa tion you may desire. Very truly yours, Jno. W. Earhardt, Mayor of Newberry. (r) What are the revenues of the town, and from what sources are they derived, and what amount is derived front each source? 6 Mill Regular Tax$ 9120 28 SMill Opera House Tax...'.. ............. 1140 03 2% Mill Wat. Wks. & El. Lt. B'ds.---- 3800 12 i Mill Sewer Bonds. 152o 04-$15530 49 Street Duty............ 1435 50 Rents......... . . ...... 293 50 License ........... 59r 62 Fines Mayor's C't... 1709 So Dispensary & Beer profits ....-......... 5000 02 Petty cash. ............ 26 42 Sale of 3 lots in col ored cemetery...... 15 oc-$ 9071 86 $24652 35. (a) Derived from 6 Mill Regu lar Tax.............................. $ 9120 28 (b) See answer uestion number one. (2) What is the indebtedness of the town? Under this head we would like to be informed: Opera House Bonds.................$22ooo o Water Wks & El. Lt. Bonds.... 42ooo oo Sewer Bonds .............. ........... 25ooo oo $890000o0 (b) What is the amount of the floating debt, including all items not covered by the bonded debt, and we would like to know to whom this indebtedness isowed, and what rate of interest it is drawing? Commercial Bank (Note) Due 12-1-03.(8Sper cent.)-------$3028 9I Commercial Bank (Note) Due -3-9-04 (8 per cent.)........ ..2804 So National Bank (Note) Due 1-2-04 (8 per cent.)----.----.. 3696 35 Fair Gravel Co (Note) Due 3-27-04 (6 per cent.).........Ico 00 Fair Gravel Co. (Note) Due 6-19-04 (6 per cent.).........584 II Eureka Fire Hose Co. (Note) (6 per cent ).. .............- 45000o F. C. Halibrook (Note) Due 1-6-04 (8Sper cent)........... 2500 00 Sarah W. Hiouseal (Note) Due 1-io-c5 (S per cent.).. ......150o co Carolina Savings Bank (Note) Due 12-23-04 (S per cent.). 200000o Carolina Savings Bank (Note) Due 2-28-o4 (S per cent.... 2000 00 M. G. G. Scherer (Note) Due 12-3I-05 (S per cent.)....... 30 00 Mary A. Ehrmnan (Note) Due 12'-3I-05 (S per cent.)........ 100 00 Nat'l Bank Newberry (Note) IDue 12-22-03 (8 per cent).... 569 33 Savings Bank Newberry (Note) Due 12-30-3 (S per cent.).... 2000 oo Savings Bank Newberry (Note) Due -.1-03 (8 per cent.).... Icoo 00