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^?3???i?a?g?ii'iwi ii mi.n?i1, umtmi... viwcai'-w. .*? . VOL. 3. ABBEVILLE. S. C., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1886. NO. 1) Ttift General Assembly. Columbia, December 7. house. The House was tolerably full this uioruing when the clerk commenced the call of the roll ot 10 o'clock, and when tho opening prayer had ended the late comers swelled the number so that there were very few vacant seats. The day's work of five hours, while it accomplished no great amount of work of a definite character, afforded an infinite variety of discussions on all sorts of measures, the lawyers, the farmers, tho Prohibitionists and the politicians, each in turn taking an inning, except that the lawyers had two innings. As a net result four bills were passed to a third reading, ten wore finally passed and sent to the Senate, and three were killed outright and one recommitted. During the past three days there has been a sudden and unaccountable tailing off in the supply of new measures. Whether this iB because the members intended to reform in this respect or bccause they are only taking a breathing spell, it is impossible to say. Thus far only 172 bills have been placed upon the Calendar. According to precedent the Calendar of a new House of Representatives, at this stage of its existence, should number at 'east 300 bills. During the morning hours bills were introduced looking to elections in Abbex ville and Greenville counties on the queston of prohibition. A petition was received from citizens of Darlington and Marion counties, praying for the forina tion of the new County of 1? lorence. The ways and means committee reported a bill to appropriate $5,000 to aid in rebuilding the State Medical College of Charleston. The treasury reserve fund bill wont over until to-morrow, and bo did the Charleston reassessment (earthquake) bill. An effort woe made by tho Charleston delegation to have this bill taken up, but objection was luade, and it went over with the understanding that it will be taken up to-inorro?r. tiik lawyers' innings. The Uwj'ers and heavy talkers were present in fall force in the House to-day when the general orders were reached on the Calendar, and it became at once apparent that there would be no plain Bailing down and through the Calendar. The unfinished business was "a bill in relation to the custodians of minors," which had already been partially discussed. The legal fraternity were doubtless very much interested in the bill, and were very much divided in opinion as to its merits; legislative tactics were resorted to, amendments were offered of all kinds, and speeches were made by Messrs. Ansel of Greenville, Wilson of Sumter, Brawley and McHugh of Charleston, Dantzler of Orangeburg, Parker of Abbeville, Hutson of Hampton and Maher of Barnwell, and the discussion took a wide range, involving the powers and duties of testamentary and other guardians. The bill was amended and reconsidered, and finally recommitted to the judiciary committee. Dr.Pope's bill to reduce the costs of attorneys, &c., next came up and received a second reading without a single lawyer saying a word for or against it. Liter in the day a bill was reached, introduced by Nr. Gary, of Edgefield, requiring the clerk of the Supreme Court to transmit copies of decisions to tho Circuit Courts in all the counties, and it was on this that the lawyers got in their second inning. The debate was ably conducted by Mr. Gary and Mr. W. B. WilHOU. of York, in fnvnr i?nH Mr. Parker, of Abbeville, and Mr. Jordan, of Aiken, against the bill. The House decided the question in the negatire, as they Bay in the debating societies, and the Act was defeated, scarcely anybody but the lawyers voting. THE SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. The bill to fix the salaries of county school commissioners evoked the most general discussien of the day, farmers, lawyers. Prohibitionists and politicians taking an active part. As it came from the committee the bill provided n salary of $200 and mileage (five cents) for each county puiiuui uoiiiiiiiKsioner, except in Charleston whore tho salary was fixed at $600. The fight was commenced by way of amendments, with motions to lay on the table. The effect of the motions of this latter class, however, was to shut oil discussion, and thesa tactics were soon changed. Mr. Ansel* of Greenville, called the - rL.l?rt'ir' T'iViI '' previous question, under the operation of which the motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill was voted down,and the bill was orerded to be engrossed. THE MEDICAL COCKTAIL. The next bill reached was that to which reference has been made to regulate the sale of the "spiritus frumenti' prescriptions in towns and villages where the local option law exists. The provisions of the bill have been published alread}'. It would hardly be supposed that a politico-prohibition debate could be concocted out of this, but it renilirps n. vorv sliorlil atrjiur fn rrof nn a -i ?J ?o ? o~- "f discussion in the present House. Mr. Haskell moved to strike out the enacting clause of the bill, which brought Dr. Pope to his feet with the statement that in many of the dry towns the druggists had printed proscriptions, signed, he was sorry to say, by members of his profession, and that many of the drug stores in those towus had bten converted into rum mills. Mr. Miller, of Beaufort, was horrified at the idea of licensing the sale of lqiuor in dry towns by drugstores. Mr. Archer, of Spartanburg delivered a remarkably strong and eloquent temperance oration, not bearing very heavily on the bill under discussion, but very elloqent and impressive, ilustrate dn with many figures and statistices showing the evil effects and bad wark of king alcohol. The speoch had evidently been carefully prepared and was forcibly delivered, but was, unfortunately delivered at the wrong time and upou the wrong bill. For instance, when the member told the House that $900,000,000 was spent annually in this country for^whiskey, and that if this amount was spread out in a line in silver dollars it would reach around the globe, and that the people of this country only paid $12,000000 to the churches the momberr failed to connect these statements with the medical cocktail bills, and their atten. tion soon wandered. Aftre going on for some time Mr. Archer found some difficulty in hearing his own voice above the polite Parliamentary buzz which prevailed, lie therefore, abandoned the statistios and talked about the bill under discussion. Mr. Aldrich, in behalf of the judiciary committee, explained the very obvious reasons which induced the committee to report the bill unfavorably, and the equally obvious reasons why the General Assembly would be compelled to reject it Mr. Ansel, of Greenville, noved to indefintely postpone the wbolej matter, which motion was carried bar?ly a half dozen negative votes being given. THE MEN LBW. The bill to repeal the lien law was next reacuea t.uie committee Having reported it unfavorably.) It was Rtated by one of the friends of the bill that, in the event of the pending motion to strike out the enacting words being lost, they intended to amend it ho a* to provide that it should not go irto effect until October, 1887 The previous question was called and th6 bill was killed by a vote of 85 to 27: % The rest of the session was devoted to the readiug of an omnibus incorporation bill. The judicial tenure of office constitu tional amendment has boon continued until the next session. SENATE After a long and luxurious recess, lasting since Friday, the Sonate met at 7 o'colock this evening, and went to work to clear the Calendar. A majority of the large number of bills which received their second reading on Friday were passed and sent to the House, while some which required amendment wcro postponed until to-morrow. This work took about forty-five minutes. Manjbills from the Hoase recioved their first reading. A few committee report were made, none of them being important. On motion of Senator Murray a concurrent resolution was adopted and sent to the House fixing the time for electing a Judge to tho Third circuit at 1 o'clock to-morrow. Senator Murray stated that Judge Fraser's term could expire the day after to-morrow. When the House bill cauie up authorizing the foremen of grand juries to ' administer oaths to witnesses, Senator i Buist moved to strike out the enacting i clause. He made a vigorous spoech against the proposition as a dangerous i innovation. His idea was that the Senate should be very conservative in changing * time-honored laws and practices. Thero was too much tinkering at the statutes. He believed Ihut witnesses should bo sworn in open Court in the interest of justice, even if it did take a little longer On Senator Buist's motion the vote stood; Yeas?12. Nays?15. The bill then passed without a division. The House bill reducing the salary of the Lieutenant Governor brought Senator MeMaster to his feet. He moved to strike out the enacting words, but did not speak. After discussion Senator McMaster's motion was lost bv a vote of 8 to 19, and the bill passed. The aflirmative votes were cast by Senators Izlar, MeMaster, Moise, Moore, Reynolds, Sinythe, Williams and Youmnns. At 9.HO the Senate adjourned until noon to-morrow. the columbia canal. The joint committee on the Columbia Canal will hold a final meeting ai 9.30 a. m. to-morrow. Members of the committee say that it is improbable that any recommendation will be made, as the committee are unable to agree as to the advisability of prosecuting the workbut that the facts gathered by them will be submitted without comment. Columbia, Dec. 8. senate. rr h o ollinf mnmnr ap ? l ' ? >.w mvbvi vi iici at uutT'jni Ilk the legislative proceedings to-day was the debate in the Senate on the bill to require tuition fees in the South Carolina College. That measure came up at 12.20 p. m. ns the first special order. Senator McMaster opened the debate, attacking the bill, which had been unfavorably reported. The Senator, after an appreciative allusion to the great services of the College, spoke to the constitutional issue involved. lie pointed to tho requirement of the Constitution that all educational institutions sopported in whole or in part by the Stats shall be free and open to all the youths of the State. If this did not apply to the College, then a tuition fee in the public schools was feasible and proper. No law could override this Constitutional mandate. He objected to interference with this College in the interest of the denominational colleges. He was opposed to all union of Church and State. He considered it no part of the State's duty to conform this College to the wishes of sectarian institutions. The South Carolina College, he maintained, was the best institution which the youth of the State could attend. It gave a broad, liberal education, unbiased by sectarian doctrines. It made its students true sons of the State. The utility of the College was in the return which the State received from it. No one who obtained a broad education in this institution could fail to repay to the State, in his intelligent services, the cost of his instruction. He argued very forcibly against the policy of a charge for tuition. A fee of fifty dollars would augment the expense of the poor student 26 per cent. This was a great consideration with the boys who were barely able to pay their board while at college. It had been stated that the opposition to free tuition at the College came from the whole church membership of the Methodist and Baptist denominations. He took issue with this assertion. The church membership of the Colleges showed that free tuition had attracted about as large a number of students of these denominations as of any other. The Senator spoke strongly for half an hour. Senator Sligh said that if he lived in Columbia lie might view this question like his friend from Richland, but he lived elsewhere and thought differently. The College was offering the poor young men something they could not take ,J? a P nil IJ auvniiiRgv ui. jinuy vuuiu 1101 pay flOU board to coiue hero. He denied that it was a poor boy's institution, in spite of the premium on free tuition offered. It was not just to tax really poor boys who labored between the plough handles in order to givo froe tuition to those who were better off. He was not opposed to the South Carolina College, nor were the supporters of the denominational colleges. They only asked a tuition fee of $50, and he believed that they were backed by three-fourths of the citizens of 8outh .Carolina. He was willing that boys unablo to pay should be given frco tuition. He was tired of hearing the College called '"the poor boys' college." because Dr. Thornwoll and a few other poor boy? havo been raised to distinction by it. Ho was also tired of this habit of ignoring the work of the denominational colleges. Thank God, the day was past when the South Carolina College was the only institution which could educate the young men of the State. Thank God, because if they all came here they all would get into the same grove that thy South Carolina College graduates followed. There was not a college in the State which taught sec tarian doctrines. The South Carolina College was graduly closing the doors of tho denominational colleges. The friends of the denominational colleges wanted the South Carolina College made a genuine State University, which all the .graduates of other institutions could attend. "I think we are going to *whip you this time," said Senator Sligh, in conclusion. "It's our time to feel good." Senator Woodward said that there were many young men in the State who were able to pay the $150 board in attending the College who were unable to pay the $50 tuition fees proposed. He made a brief but strong speeche against the bill. Senator Murray declared that he did not entor the debate as a champion of the denominational colleges, lie wa&> moreover, a friend of the South Carolina College, and for that reason wished to see it elevated into a finishing college for the youth of the State, one higher in grade than the denominational colleges. no inainiaineu mm a majoruy oi tnc people were in favor of a tuition fee in tho College. Of the nineteen new Senators in this body fourteen were, against free tuition. As to the work of tho denominational colleges?which institutions, he maintained, were not sectarian?he pointed to the fact that of the St.jto tj-jket recently elected three mem-, bers had attended one of them, while on1jr two had been educated in the South Caiolina College. He did not believe that tho charging of this fee would affect the College as much as was expected. He thought, in fact, that it would make very little difference in the attendance. He believed that all tho colleges of the State should be put upon equal terms, and compete with each other on the broad ground of merit. Ho would be willing to vote for beneficiary features for students unable to attend. By the adoption of this little bill, he believed that the antagonism between the State College and the denominational colleges would be finally ended. Senator Moise made an eloquent and flowery speech in defence of free tuition. He pointed to the declaration of the Judges of the Supreme Court that in their belief the Constitutional mandate was that tutition in the College should be free. The Governor, tho Judges, the chairman of the committees on education in the two houses, and most of the prominent men of the State were believers in the constitutionality and propriety of free utition. According to the rule laid down by the advocates of this bill, any railroad in tho State would have the right to prevent the chartering of anv eomnetinj? linn. a r?ilro#H wAiild r O "* ~ ? be justified in refusing to pay county taxes voted to build a rival road, and the principle would reverse all our methods. Thers was no reason for this movement. Alleging that the College was too expensive for the poor boy, the advocates of a tuition free sought to remedy the evil they complained of by making it more expenive. He showed that in the State colleges of all the Southern States save one tuition was Tree, and in that one it was a nominal charge. In the State colleges where tuition was charged the rate was for less than that prososed to be charged in this College. This was a movement to extinguish the great beacon of State education and leave the young men of the State to the dark lantern of sectarian schools, which cast their light only in one direction. At this juncture Senator Austin moved to postpone the subject until to-morrow at 1 p. m. Lost?yeas 11, nays 22. Senator Patterson favored the bill. The only question was as to the amount of the tuition fee to be charged, because already a so-called matriculation fee was enacted in the literary, and a tuition fee | J :- 4.1. ~ t 3 ' mi!) l'iihuiuu 111 kiiu iaw department. Tuition had been paid for in tho Coliego before tho war in the best days of the institution, when tbo State was better able than now to assume the cost of maintenance untided by foes. If the faculty of the College was what it ought I to be students would attend in spite of \ tuition fees. It was a reflection on the 1 faculty to say that the College would < not draw young inon without free tui- 1 tion. I Senator Rhauie said that he had i sought in vain for any reason orjustifi- < cation for this bill, llo was forced to i regard it as an insidious attack on the I College. Having won this outpost the I opponents 01 mc uoilegu would on the ' score of economy seek to abolish it altogether. They were not men who i lay upon their arms. They would never l give up the attempt to lay low this ! grand old institution, unloBS at the outset the}' were ignominiously defeated, i If this bill were passed ho had honest < assurances that it would close the doors of the College to a number of poor and deserving 3roung men. It might as well be urged by these anti-free-tuition Senators that the free public schools should be changed to pay schools because they worked injury to the private schools. The bounty of the State should be, as the Constitution required, free and open, lie was not in favor of any measure which would violato or override the Constitution. If the advocates of this bill wantfld in ronoli Otn nnnctinn . ~ w..w XJMVUV.VU IWW them propose an amendment to the Constitution changing the "free and open" provision, and let thu people vote on it. Senator Edwards, who had spoken at length one day last.week in favor of the bill, now began another speech, but he was interrupted by an adjournment to the Hall of Representatives for a judicial electi on. A number of College students heard the debate. They once applauded Senator Moise. but were sternly warned by the presiding officer that if the offence wero repeated the chamber would be cleared. Thenceforth they did not demonstrate their preferences. OTIIKn SENATE PROCEEDINGS. The Senate accomplished very little to-day, the question of tuition fees in the South Carolina College, drawing out a number of speeches. A concurrent resolution was adopted and sent to the House providing that a joint assembly be held to-morrow at 1 P.M. for the election of a superinten dent and throe derectors of the Penitentiary. The President announced that he had appointed Mr. A. M. Howell, of Green, ville, to the new "all-around" clerkship establiched by the Senate. Senator Hemphill a indroduced bill to charter tho Bank of Greenwood. JUDGE FItASEIt RE-RLKCTEE At 2.30 the Senate repaired to the hall of Representatives, where a -joint assembly was held to elect a Judge of the Third circuit. The proceedings were brief and simple. Senator Rhame, of Clarondon, nominated for re-elected Judge Thos. B. Fraser. Nothing conld be said of him but what was good. He was pure, able and popular. The nomination was seconded in a few words by Mr. H; Erank Wilson, of Sumter. To other name was proposed. Senator Moore was appointed a teller on tho part of the Senate and Representatives H. Frank Wilson and Leo acted in a similar capacity for the House. The voting was by ballot, and resulted: Total number of votes cast 153, necessary to a choice 77, Thomas B. Froser 145, Richard Dozier 6, Joseph H. Farle, 1 blank 1. J udge Fraser was foamaliy declared eleeted, and at 3 o'clock the join assembly was dissolved. The Senators returned to their chamber, and soon aftor adjourned to meet at 11 o'clock to-morrow. To-day the Balcndnr was not touchde. Tho College tuition bill was made the special order for to-morrow: It will probably bo dispossed of after two or three more speeches have been dolivered The Anderson County licens election bill was made the spesial order for tomorrow at 1 P. M., and the resonltions of respect to the memory of the late Senators Hobo and Todd tho special order for 2 30 P. M. The Columbia Caral bill was postponed until Eriday at 2 P. M. HOU8K. ( Tho attention of the House Represent*- i tivcs was engroRed to-day in tho discussion of financial and religious topics to the almost entire exclusion of anything i like progress in legislative business be- ; yound the final reading of five bills and 1 ,l?c passage of the bill to create a troasjry fund. The constitutional amendment resolution abolishing the office of bounty school commissioner was passed eceiving J)8 votes, 15 more than the iwo-thirds requisite. Previous to taking the uote the author of the bill, Mr. Jordan, of Aiken, explained that the monmirn w?e in ??...? j: 1 ..v.* .it ?rujr uirtsciua ac '.ho school system; it was rather intended to perfect and elevate it. That system was toe creation of statutory enactments, ivhiloathe officers designated to manage it in the variovs counties were constitutional officers. By making this a statutory oflicc simply the Legislature would have control of the entire system of common schools and could shape and direct it more efficiently. The School Commissioner bill (to reduce the salaries) was presented for a third reading, when the debate was reopened by Col. J. P. Thomas, of Richland, who earnestly urged the recommitment of the bill. A tedious discus sion followed, which ended in the defuut ot the motion to recommit and the passage of the bill, which now goes to the Senate . PUUE CAUTIOUSNESS. Mr, Hyde's bill to provido a goneral incorporation law, which had been discussed up to the hour of adjournment yesterday, and the second reading of which had been almost finished, was next taken up. When Mr. Hyde's bill was taken up, l)r. Pope, of Newberry, moved to rscommit it. Mr. Hydo made a speech explaining what was expected to bo accomplished by the bill. Dr. Pope said he was in favor of a ganeral incorporation bill, but he didn't understand this one, and, on 6econd thought, ho would withdraw the motion to recommit, and move to continue it till the next session. Adopted. THE TREASURY RESERVE FUND. Mr. Haskell's bill to create a treasury reserve fund, the provisions of which have already been published, was next talced up. l)r. Pope moved to strike out the enacting words. The vote on the question to kill tho bill was yeas 46, nays 73, which may be considered as a rout for the extreme reformers. The reading of tho bill was then rosumcd. Another discussion arose, however, on an amendment offered by Mr. Parker, of Abbeville, proposing to striko out the provision allowing ihomonf *Vin fund for the payment of general appropriations and of salaries, an amendment which would have prevented the use of the fund to tide over a scarcity of money in the State treasury. The amendment was tabled, however, and the bill orderod to be engrossed for a third reading. THE HORIZONTAL REDUCTION SALARY DILL. The next bill reachnd was one offered by Dr. Thomas, of Union, to provide for a horizontal reduction of the salaries of State officers. Dr. Thomas read a speech prepared for the occasion. The Houao seems to have an insuperable objoction to listening to written speeches, and the rounded periods and economical metaphors of the farmer physician fell upon ears deafened by a polite parliamentary buzz, and upon minds engaged in conversations carried on in exceedingly Btagey whispers. At the cloBe of his remarks the House, without a division and without any further discussion, Killed the bill. SUNDAY TRAINS. It was 2 o'clock when the Housd reached its general oVders. The Columbia Canal bill was made the special order for Saturdny next. Tho bill in relation to the running of Sunday trains being taken up, Mr. Stewart, of York, moved to siriko out the enacting clause. But the discussion was interrupted by the arrival of tho Senate for tho joint aKKombly to elect a Judge of the Third Circuit, and the bill, therefore, goes over until to-morrow. Tho only bill besides tho Treasury Reserve Fund bill passed during tho five hours of the session was one to amend tho chartor of the Cheraw and Camden Short Lino Railroad. The Houso Calendar now contains upwards of 180 billfL At this rate of disposing of them the, session will last several months.?2Tew8 and Courier. " 1 1 11 \ Don't wait for the cold winds to remind you that there are. broken glass in pour windows, but look to them and r?~ J a- VT ? uuj mem iiuiu opuuu w i^euner.