University of South Carolina Libraries
TOLOIE LI. NUMBKB 12. NEWBEBBY, SOUTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1918. TWICE A WEEK, $1.50 A YEAR. STANDS FOR TWO CENT MILEAGE RATE GOV. BLEASE SENDS SPECIAL MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE. Says He Favors Flut Two Cent ftile*? /\f Panr age?iu tutci *731 WI I w?i People. Special to The Herald and News. Columbia, Feb. 13.?Governor Blease on Tuesday sent a special message to the legislature reiterating his opsition in favor of a fiat two cent mileage rate on the railroads of the State for passengers. He argues strongly in favor of the passage of such a law. ~ 11 ^ ?* ~c u; ^ The following is trie run iexi 01 u? special message: Message No. 22. The State of South Carolina Executive Department. Gentlemen of the senate and hous-e of representatives: 1 have boen reliably informed that certain persons are using the argufr\ thp? m-PaSHT^ VQ mem, 1x1 icicj cu^v w cently introduced reducing the passenger rate on railroads to 2 cents mile, that I recommended it but that I do not favor it. ! wish to say to you, gentl-eme i, ir*t 1 do favor it; that the poor pe > > > of South Carolina favor it, and that, aside from the railroad attorneys, aside from the railroad officials, tockholders and employees, including railroad attorneys, some of whom are members of your hous-e, nnd some others who are either been misled by the raii*\> us, I believe the entire people of South Carolive the entire people of South Carolina favor it, and I ask -every man o.? the floor of the house and seaaf who is my political friend, :> vo?'?? fov t J * 1 r^-r, r3 V?ic offnrtc ' ? 1 Il;> :> ) LU l^UU XJLMKJ > 4?.V. vo - - , of one bill that w.il :r < " some b-nflit to all the people j' 'h-> The railroads take nearly all l:\e money that they make in .*ou'h Carolina, if we are to judge by conditions here, and use it in improving t-ieir crunk lines, leaving us, if we ride 011 railroads in South Carolina at all to ride on rotten cross-ties, on old, cheap small rails, in old coaches that have been discarded from service on the main lines, b-ehind old engines that have been worn out pulling Northern tourists to the South and back, or in any other ox-cart style which th^ railroads may see fit to furnish. If the railroad companies would a' tend strictly to railroad business instead of trying to attend to the business of the agricultural de* x ~ ** 4-Vwx nofiAn hv panm-em. m mc uauvu ~?sending trains and agents all over tb country advertising agricultural exhibits, etc., and by their presidents treveling raound to make speeches on agricuulture and other subjects foreign to railroad management, and take the same large sums of money which they expend for these purposes, and the same money and energy they are now using in trying to fool the people, and use it in developing their tracks and rolling stc<" they would relieve themselves of the numerous wrecks and damage suits resulting therefrom, with which they are now burdened, and would easily be able to haul the people of South Carolina for two cents a mile and make larger profits than they are now making. Now, gentlemen, l mawe one iasi apical to you: Please give us a fiat two-cents rate, ana every man, woman and child in South Carolina not connected with the railroads, and free from th-?ir influence, will say. Thank You. 1 nope mose meraoers 01 me general assembly who are attorneys in thp employ of the railroads, will, when this bill comes up, be frank enough *o state that they are so employed, and ask to be excused from voting rhereon. And, I hope also, that this message to you will settle, once and for all, any question as to whether I favor a two-cents rate. If you want to test it, pass a two-c-ents rate bill and send it down to my office, and I promise you that as soon as it is received and placed 011 my desk I will affix my signatur- to it and send it over to the secretary of State, and also send you a message advising you hat it has ho-n sicnf.'J and th;\r yov. for your offer's in p'nei !" ' THE HOUSE KILLS THE ] "NEWSPAPER" MEASURE vote ;*> to :>:? against he.hbekt measure. Final rufavorabie .mion t omes \i-i ter Hitter Fieht?Both Sides Vigorously Presented. I Columbia, Feb. ll.??The house to-1 night, after ext< nded and heated ?>. bate, killed Mr. Rembert's bill restrictr ing newspapers in the publication of certain articles. The fight nas 'o a large extent factional and bitter. Mr. Stevenson led the opposition i:: j a vigorous assault on, the bill. The mo- j tion to strike out the enacting words i f j | prevailed by a votr? of ">5 v> ">S. J This bill was passed o"or previously in the evening durin* Air. rte'noert's absence, but on his lppeuraiK-o, j ty unanimous consent, ii a;.-> takf-n j up. j Rembert Speaks for Hi'!. Mr. Rembert, the author of tlio bfI . j j took (he floor in its defence." M:.| I Rembert claimed to have been the ob~ I ject of many malicious newspaper dI tacks, and he said it is impossible to 1 a ii-tiioli tlij nrp.se fiir [ n?Ull tile 1 CJJUI 13 n U1V" I.UV L*. , j culates. Mr. Rembert's bill does not j restrict publication. requir?s that the person offended shall have the right to prepare a reply which the paper must publish. Mr. Rembert attacked an editorial recently appearing in a daily which criticised his bill. The principal duty of the press to-1 day is to keep the people informed on their public affairs and officials, said i Mr. McMillan, of Marion, who spoke j against the bill. Mr. C. C. Wychc, of Spartanburg, spoke in favor of the bill, saying that the present la wis inadequate. Mr. Wyche devoted much of hi? time, as i did the other advocates of the bill, to the recent primary of this Stat?. Stevenson Leads Opposition. "1 have been maligned time and j /"lArtr. 1> Af I j again Dy newspapers, uiu mac uwcS , afFect me here," said Mr. Stevenson, j who spoke against the bill. Mr. Stev- j enson sighed the minority favorable i report on the bill, but said that his i views had changed on the measure and I he now opposed it. Mr. Epps, of Sumter, spoke briefly in favor of the bill and said that its constitutionality can not be question 1 ? ed. He defended its justice. Others Oppose Measnre. Mr. Brice, of Chester, said that when the feeling of men are aroused they are apt to go too far in legislation. "Upon the freedom of speech, the liberty of the press, all wise government rests," he said. "Why, if a newspaper published Mr. Rembert's speech in i full in favor of his bill, it might, under the law. be filled with replies to the article," said Mr. Brice. "You couldn't publish court proceedings of any investigation if you were an editor without having your columns filled by persons mentioned in the paper." Mr. Sapp spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Liles said this bill is not only unnecessary, but unwise. Mr. O'Quinn, rising to question oS personal privilege, resented'what he J termed an imputation on Mr. Rem-j thofr "\Tr n'Oninn tvoc rPll |.u?*0 fUi t. Hiui V/ Hu,u" " ^ t' resenting the interests of "the State." j | Mr. Rembert said that he had meant J j no reflection on any member. Mr. Liies moved the previous ques-1 i j tion, which was the motion by Mr. j j McMillan, to strike out th^ enacting j ; i ! words of the bill, which passed by a j vote of 55 to 53. An to Moon's Holding Water. The moon is shaped to hold water this month. Watch if the sisrn fails.? Herald and News. 11th. Its shape didn't hold it in the capital city on the above date. The fact is Fair Luna and Venus conversed quite too much Sunday evening to please Jupiter Pluvius and he lashed around to such an extent that the agi tated mundane sphere wept copious tears of grief. Dutch Weather Prophet. Columbia. S. C. people of South Carolina upon the same footing, so far as railroad fare i is concern-ed. Very respectfully, Cole Blease, Governor. < ' 1 NO NEED TO ISSUE TWENTY YEAR BONOS MR. FRED. K. DOMINICK WRITES \EWHERRY DELEGATION. Saw There is No Necessity to Burden Townships With Twenty- Year Bonds. The following explains itself: Newberry, S. C., Feb. 11, 1913. [ Mr. E. H. Anil, Editor Herald and News, Xewbcrry, S. C. Dear Sir: I herewith hand you copy of communication this day mailed by me to the Xewberry delegation in the general aj.-.embly, which you "iiMifti vnii it of Sllffi I ilC\ + II iOi* n ?? ? ci fit public importance. Yours very truly, Fred. H. Domir.ick. New berry, S. C., Feb. 11, 1013. To the Members cf th? General Assembly froip Newberry County. Columbia, South Carolina. Gentlemen: When recently asked by >ne of you if 1 had any "bond legislation" to sugest for this session of the general assembly, I replied that I had none. At the time I had hoped not to burden you with any suggestions, but under the circumstances, and a:so in the nature of a report as 'secretary of the township sinking fund commis -ion, I feel it my duty to put the delegation and the people of Newberry county in possession of certain facts, and to briefly relate- the rec-?nt history and the present condition and status of the township railroad bonds in this county. As yon know, I have had practically entire charge of this matter since the year 1907, a period of six years, and have given this question my closest, attention and study. How well this work has be n done a:id how woll the interests of these townships have been 1 J ?111 V\.v 4- r\ A foof o on/1 SUDStJI'VCU, Will u?5 I'CIL LVJ Hie iavw auu figures themselves to show. In 1908, at my suggestion, a sinking fund commission consisting of the county supervisor, treasurer, auditor and mayors of Newberry and Prosperity was appointed to manage the retirement of these bonds. When this commission was created, the following amounts were outstanding in bonds: No. 1 township, A. E. & N. 7 per cent bonds, $34,000. No. 8 township, A. E. & N. 7 per cent, bonds, $8,000. No. 1 township, C., N. & L. 6 per oa-nt KrtnHe SlAHftO U li t Ijviiuw* y A. V J v V V , No. 9 township, C., X. & L. 6 per cent, bonds, $15,000. Making a total bonded indebtedness for these three townships amount to $67,800. On these bonds, the townships were paying in interest alone, $4,496, or1 practically $5,000 ev-sry year. This sinking fund commission worked faithfully and well, and, with the assistance of legislation which you kindly enacted at their suggestion, has placed this bonded indebtedness in the excellent condition in which it is today, and for their excellent work, they should ever receive the grateful thanks of the people of these three towns-hips. Under their direction a'.?d" management, every validated bond hns be~n retired and cancelled with tbo xr-. ption of three $1,000 bends of Number 1 township, C., N. & L., which natured On January 2, 1913; and every dollar of interest on practically th? entire amount lias be?n paid in full to January 26, 1913. This, was in part, finally accomplished by loans from the State sinking fund commisr-ion. On this loan, - a? ^ eo?? mi 4C llicre IS IlU?v uuc Lilt; sum ui ?.v?. orly, with interest on same from January 26. 1913, at th? rate of 5 per cent, per annum. It will thus be seen I that the local sinking fund commission has paid al! interest on th*:se bonds and indebtedness, amounting to at least $20,000, if not' more, and in addition, has reduced a bonded debt of ?fi7,SOO by the amount of $11,COS.;>4, so V-. ^~^ n a t r\t '> 1 oF I llli.ll lll^l C I f iliU. \ (i lUHH L/UIUliVy V*. only $20,3 01.46 for all three of the townships; and this work has be-?n done at a total cost of only $1,792.30, which amount includes all expanses? attorney^ fees, compensation of members cf the ro"um:&7io*!. nri "tlrsr, ;:::c >;.;!!o::ery. This remaining: indebtedness is divided as follows: No. 1, A. E. & N., $15,115.74. No. 8, A. E. & N., $5,331.46. No. 9. C., N. & L., $2,654.26. No. 1. C.. N. & L.. $3,000. I The fir?t three amounts are due the State sinking fund commission and, as before stated, bear interest at the j rate of 5 per cent, per annum from I ! January 26, 1913. The last named! j amount, $3,00(^ is made up of three ' $1,000 bonds and I havp been assured by the holder? of two of these bonds that they are not anxious for the pay-: mc-nt of the bonds at the pr?s-nt ti'irv but will hold same until they rnn conveniently be paid. The inter1 st on * th:se bonds has been paid to .Tanuarv j 2, 1913, and there is now cn hand | about $">00 to th? credit of the fund 1 " -* ' _ i?_ | lor tne retirement 01 uiese uunus. I understand that it is proposer] to issue twenty-year "> per cent, bonds to take up this indobeedness. Let be? of you, gentlemen, not to do it; I ask you not to burden the people of these townships for twenty years longer if it can possibly be avoided. And T believe that it can be avoided. The money from the State sinki fund commission was secured after the j most persistent effort on my part, aidj ed by the influence of Governor Blease, I a member of the commission. Notwithi standing the fact that these loans nave be^n called, I verily believe that they can and will b?. continued by the State sinking fund commission at 5 per cent, if the matter is properly handled and presented to the commission. I believe that if you will use your influence and good, offices with the chairman of the finance committee of the senate and the chairma i of the ways i ard means committee of the house, I think I can safely promise to * get enough additional votes on the commission to insure the continuance of the loans and thereby avoid the issuance of new bonds. However, if this plan should fail and the loans can no longer be handled by th? commission. I believe that the money can be secured from other sources at a rate of interest net exi ce-fdine: six pr cent, per annum. Only a few days ago, in conversation with the president of one of the leading banks of the State, I was told that the j loan could probably be handled by his b;mk. but if not, he believed that his cashier would be able tc negotiate the j loan through other parties. j Now gentlemen, if either one of the ! above arrangements be made, the first | named debt can be retired by March 11, 1917, a period of only four years; thp second nam-ed debt by March i 1921, a period of only eigrht years; the third named debt by March 1, 1915, period of only two years; the fourth > ramed debt by March 1, 1915, a period of only two year?. These estimates are derived from a careful calculation, based upon the present tax levy and present assessed property valua tion in the respective township?. In view of these facts, why issue twenty-year bonds? It must bp borne in mind that if new twenty-year bonds are i=sued, none of the surplus arising from the tax levy after the payment of interest coupons each year can be applied to the rduction of the principal. but iitrrest must he naid on the entirp amount for the twenty year period. Tf the loans arc continued, of course th? entire amount of the tax levied and collected each year can be applied on the payment of th? notes i and the interest payments each year {will materially d^crca-e. In connection with this bonded indebtedness, I might add and respectfully suggest that some provision be I lr?. thn o rH 11 C t r?1 P'1 t flf tWO Si 00." j lliauc iui uic aujuu?...v... v., - T , j 00 bond?, held by the commissioners of | Public Works for th? Town of New| berry and N. G. Evans, Esq., of EdgeI field, S. C. My recollection is that one of them is against Xewberry township and the other one against Mcndenhall township. Xiether of them has ever been other one agains .ascc$ksvvv b-r-en validated under the Act of 1S9S, I consequently they have not been paid ! by the local sinking fund commission. I It is my belief that they are entitled I to something on rhesv bonds, at least I to the extent and amount as allowed I under the compromise validating Act | of 1S98. j For various reasons. 1 have written th* fcregoing with som-? hesitation, pr* knowing how it will he received. c ("!.-jiv f er vou h:? ve ]vc'jab.'} i FAVOR LOCAL OPTION, COMPULSORY EDUCATION PASSES THE HOUSE BY A VERY DECIDED VOTE. i Each County to Have Right to Vote? ; Anti-Hazing Bill Passes?Contraband Liquor to be Used. r j Columbia, Feb. 12.?The house has j j indicated that it is in favor of some j | form of compulsory education. It did ! i this today after a thoroughly exhaus1 t.iv-e debate, and by a decisive vote of 11)1 to 19 refused to kill thp McCravey 1 compulsory education bill. Some members objected to the bill because they j I - ? . ^ .3 n*YloH m t 1 | IU<AI IliC auivuuun. uv \.v | rh'' bill, which provides for county ! adoption of compulsory education, is U imply an entering wedge. ! The fact of the matter is, however, j 111! 11 advocates of compulsory educa-! : tio;; urge that if they are able to have 1 it adopted in several counties, the ef-, ; f'c.t win so satisfactory that it will j j bec-onr g^nral; and, further, it is J ; agreed that this is the only form in j i which the bill could be passed at this i j ; i session. At all events, the opposition i { to the compulsory education plan : ! showcd less strength than was ex-[ j pected, 91 to 19, and there is now a | decided prosp-ect that the bill will passj ! and become a law. TIie Vote. j The following voted against the bill: ! | Aady, Ashley, J. W.; Browni.ig, Cross, j Fortner, Gray, Harrelson, Harvey, I Hunter. Irby, Kirby, Lybran, Mc| Donald, Miley, Moore, Nelson, Robertj son, Rogers, W. S. Total, 19. I The following * oted in favor of the | bill: Smith, Atkinson, Baskin, Belser,; ! Bethea, Bowers, Boyd, Brice, Busbee, I I Charles, Clowney, Courtney, Creech, j [Daniel, Dantzler, DeLaught-r, I)ick,| } i I Epps, Friday, Fripp, Gasque, Good-1 ' "LT oil a I-I o 71 U ornor i j will, ui cci, aanc, XX till, xxui^vi, | I Hnynsworth, Hiott, Holley, Hutchison, I i Hutson, James, W. A.; Johnston, I j Jones, Kellehan, Kelly, Kennedy, Kib- j j l?r, King, Kirk, Lumpkin, McCravey, i | McMillan, McQueen, Malpass. Martin, i | Massry, Means, Melfi, Miller, Mitchell, [ Mixson, Mower, Murray, Nicholson, | Odom, O'Quinn, Pegu^s, Pyatt, Ready, j Rembert, Riddle, Riley, Rittenbcrg, i'Robii:son, Rogers, L. M.; Sapp, San- j j ders, Schroder, Scott, W. M.; Scott, | f W. W.; Sens-eney, Sher.wood, Shirley. | Smiley. Stanley, Stevenson, StrickJ land, Thompson, Vander Horst, Walj ker, Warner, Whaley, White, White j-'head, Wilburn, Williams, Wyche. C. C.j j Wyche, C. T.; Youmans, Ziegler. To| tal, 91. The house adjourned before the bill was ordered to third reading. Ashley Liquor BilL i The first bill to be acted upon duri ing the morning session was that of f \Tr T W Ashl-pv. He had a bli! pro- i siding that contraband liquors should be turned over to poor houses, hospitals and public institutions rather . than that it should be poured into gullies. There was quite a spirited ',discussion as to whether or not it was f better to pour this whiskey into the ! streets or pour it into the stomachs of | the poor people in the alms houses * 1 nnv?y\ cn Kr\r\rc ror j ana nospitaiK. mc nuuoc, uun^ ?v?, | I by a decided vote, determined to allow j J the public institutions to try the eon- ! f I * i ! 1 ' fully decided upon your course in re- ; | gard to the matter. But having been j ' connected with the matter so closely j i for so many years, and having given it * ' i - x 1.. TUyv ; *o much time-, tnougni ana siuuy, 1 ucj lieve thar. I owe it to the J people of these three townships to put j you and them in possesion of the sitj uation and the facts. ! In conclusion, I will say that I have I no personal axe to grind in connection : with this matter and I sincerely trust : ! that you will not consider me preI sumptuous in writing you this com| munication and these suggestions, but J that they will be received as they are | i written,?for what I conceive to be ! | interests of the people cf Newberry. I | Mendenhall and Stonev Battery townships. Yours respectfully, Fred H. Dominick. i Should you desire any corroboration' j of mv fijenires or facts, or carp for : any information in my possession on *v-r> subject, same will be gladly fur- i ' I i:*)cn reouest. I traband liquor on the poor, if the senate will concur. Anti-Hazinpr Bill Passed. The fact that a bill has an unfavorable report does not necessarily mean that it is going to be killed. This was illustrated today by the passage of the McQueen bill directed against hazing in colleges. The bill came into the house with ah unfavorable report, and yet Mr. McQueen, together with the friends of the measure, resurrect ed it from the legislative junk heap and managed to pass the bill. The subject matter of the bill as it passed, although entirely satisfactory to its author and friends, only contained two lines of the original bill and those read as follows: "All Acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed." The first and second sections of the bill are the result of amendments, the first - - r? a section uemg re-iramtu ue^enise ui mc desire to include all colleges whether State institutions or otherwise, the second s-ection being a sequel to the change of policy. There seemed to be practically a unanimous sentiment, the vote being 74 to 27 against hazing .in colleges. The only question among the legislators was how best to reach xr- -!l x- T ? nf O f A/? UI SlT.Ua.LIoa. ll. Wiis 1i auaijf oiatcu that the bill was not intended to reach any particular institution, because the having situation is not so bad now in this State, but it was felt that if it could prevent one case of ; hazing it would be worth while. The J. bill as it passed the house is as follows : Text of Measure. . . j Section. 1. Any student in any coil.lege in this State who shall particij pate in any way in hazing shall be r guilty of a misdemeanor and fined for V. . i each offence *not more than $50 or imI i prisonment in the county jail not | more than thirty days. Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the i i faculty of any institution to see that j this law is enforced, and any officer or ni: mber of the faculty who shall ! wilfully refuse to assist in the en : forcement of the same shall be liable I to penalty provided for hazing in this : Act. That the rules and regulations referred to in this Act shall be posted in 'at 1-east three conspicuous places in such college. Sec. 3. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this Aet are hereby repealed. Before the bill finally passed-to ita third reading Mr. Rittenberg wished to include football, but there was no considerable encouragement offered the proposition. "DISGRACEFUL PLOT"?BEACH. Acquitted ?w Yorker Comments on. Beeent Trial at Aiken. Xew York, February 10.?Mr. am! MVb. Frederick 0. Beach returned from Aiken, S. C., from the trial of Mr. Beach, at which he was acquitted of " - hifl nrifo Tl'1 th ?!! ? cnar^e Ui n u.\, .. * ? a knife. Mr. Beach was wrapped in a big fur coat and looked haggard and worn. "The verdict was none other than we all expected it to be," he reiterated, "and th ewhole affair ^was nothing but a disgraceful plot." ! JURY GIVES DOCTOR OF JfAYOR GAYNOR $5,800 1 | Trenton, N. J., Feb. 10.?A verdict Of $5,800 against Mayor Gaynor, of ' New York, was returned this after} noon by the jury in the United States i District court, which heard the suit ; brought by Dr. William Arlitz, of Jersey City ,to recover $7,500 for pro! f-essional service rendered after the i shooting of the mayor as he was about ! to sail from Hoboken in August, 1910. The jury was out two hours. Mayor Gaynor, who did not appear in person at the trial, had refused to pay the bill rendered by Dr. Arlitz upon tho ground that it was grossly out of proportion to the services rendered. One of the contentions of the defense was that Dr. Arlitz was not the physician in charse of the case, and that most of the services he had rendereci had b~en upon his own initiative. I 48 'I