Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Kftnti he mm. WAHREN RLE CT KD, THEN RE ?IGNbV - / ntownni Quits Judgeehip Af? ter Dnssosl Honor Is Conferred by Columbia, Fob. 18.?George War? ren, member of ths house from Hampton county, was yesterday elect? ed Judas ot the recently created Fourteenth circuit. He wss nomi? nated and elect* 1 over his own earn? est protest, both Indorsing and voting for James E. Peurlfoy. Mis good faith and sincerity in ob Jsettne* to his sleotlon was evident to the general assen bly and hs has many I llmsm of his earnest attempts to withdraw his name. Inet night Mr. Warren resigned the poettten to which he wi sltoted at noon yestsrdsy. WITH THE LEGI 8LATTJRE. Columbia, Feb. 18.--The proceed Ingn of tne house were enlivened yes |gi da j by the Introduction of a reeo-| lotion by R. D. White of Clarendon^ Who wanted committee on agriculture to iavsetigaU lobbying" and these CSsjmM In It, particularly t tose work nsg against the bills sJfecting ths ftimeiT The nssotution also wants the activities of a swaps per men on the neer of the hones probed, to ascer Snm If any of the "scribee" are paid ?iehoyists" or are directors in cor ssstttins that would be affected by the passage of any of the measures feeflsfe the lowsr b*?y. Ths resolution grres the ennunlttite the power to call jssj rn-1^ witnesses, and provide* tor n report of the flodings of the hod* at Inn neat session of the ten? on an "aye" and "nay" to the resolution r, February lt. es the dny for adjoaramsnt sine die. Mr. Mower thought action on the reso tssjen had bother be sdjourned, and be wen seceoded by Mr. Odom who Was of the opinion that certain "intsr jsjte" desired an early adjournment My. Moore averred that the noose Veld newer complete ths work oil the QQJCOdar. and ths best thn?g to do wss ?i la every minute until nsxt tat after the accomplishment of aa saneh work as possible. /J T%m following resolution, In regard to tne death of Mr. Clemenv a mem? ber of the Charleston delegation, waa ,fteso*mou*ly adopted: V; "whereon, the house has learned ntomond sorrow of ths death ol and eslssague, Menltrle J front Char therefore, "Be H Resolved, by the house ol natives. That at 1:10 p. m., on February 1?, 111?, there shall be he'd by this house a memor? ial service to pay tribute to his life and character as a oJtlssn and public ent rant "Be It further reserved. That a copy Of these resolutions be sent to thai nsaelty of our deceised colleague byfl tne clerk of the house." In an effort to press consideration of the bill to drive ths Southeastern Association out of ths State, on mo Hen of Mr. Odom the measurs was Withdrawn from the committee on banking and insurance snd, after seme discussion, was referred to the gommlttee on agriculture. Mr. Odom thought that a sufficiency of hearings bse been granted on the bill. Ths measure slrsady has passed the sen I HOI HE HASTENS LEGISLATURE. Columbia. Fsb II.?The house this morning refused to adopt an amend it by Mr. McMahan to ths Wash test bill providing for ths "nterilisauoa" by ths State Board ot Health of all persons suffering from "syphilis." Ths lower body showed a disposition to clear the way for ad? journment when ill unfavorably re? ported bills'were killed last night. The county salary magistrates, county officer salary, and the county eupply bills were glvsn third reading this morning, and ordered sent to the its. TWO BRITISH CHI 1SKRS SINK. Berlin. Feb. 18.?The admiralty an? nounced today that in a naval light on Doggers Banks Oerman boats tor? pedoed and sunk another Knglish cruiser In addition to the Arabia. Note. The British admiralty yes? terday announced the loss of tho light cruiser Arethusa In the North Sea. hut claimed she struck a mine. HUMAN CALLS PEN ROSE. Asks Pennsylvania Senator to Explain Threat of Armor Plate Trust. Washington. Fob. IB.?Senator Till man on the floor of the senate today called upon Senator Penrose to ex? plain his recent mwunfront srmor plats manufacturers that they would charge the government two hundred dollars more per ton for armor plato If congress passes ths Tlllman gov? ernment srmor plats plant bill. M'U?RIH CALLS SIEBEiS' HAND [HOT DISPUTE IN COMMITTEE ROOM BETWEEN COTTON WAREHOUSE COMMIS? SIONER AND INSUR? ANCE MAN. I Commissioner Denounces Southeastern Underwriters' Association for its Alleged Fight on State Warehouse System, and Why He Has Grudge Against Seibels. Columbia, Feb. 16.?One of the most dramatic scenes that has oc? curred in a long time in the South I Carolina legislature was the dash be? tween Senator McLaurin and the agents of the Southeastern Tariff As? sociation, at a hearing before the ag? ricultural committee of the house on Monday afternoon. The hearing was on the bill which had already passed the senate to drive the Southeastern Tariff Association out of the State. When this bill reached the house, It took Us regular course and was re? ferred to the banking and insurance committee. Later on motion of Mr. Odom, chairman of the agricultural committee, who is a staunch friend of the Stilts Warehouse system, the bill was re:alled from the Insurance com? mittee and referred to the agricul? tural committee, of which Mr Odom is chairman. Senator McLaurin denounced in un? measured terms the fight which had been made upon the system and up? on him. He charged that the .flcial organ of the insurance combine, The Insurarce Field, had published an ar? ticle Inupired from Columbia and sent to the beaks in New York with which the Sta:e receipts had been placed, for the purpose of shaking the confidence of the banks In the State receipts and breaking down the State system. He said thit the insurance situation In South Carolina was absolutely con? trolled through Mr. 8olbels' office, and that Mr. Harrington, of the Ger? mania, who was present, and who hai said that his company was not a mem? ber of the association, was really as much a member as anybody else, and that when Mr. Sei bels demanded that Mr. Harrington come up and tight with th 3 Southeastern he came1, and that he would not insure State cotton except through Mr. Sei be is' rcpresen l|tatlves. That so far as the claim of Mr. Harrington that his company was losing Rioney was concerned, that the official record shewed that last year this company declared a dividend of two hundred thousand dollars on a capital of one million dollars, and ac? cording to the statement of the Insur? ance Commissioner this was other people's monev they made this twenty per cent. on. Mr. Harrington was a pretty good man, said Senator Mc? Laurin, und he would like to do busi? ness with him, and some of the insur? ance he bad In his office was in the Germania, represented by Mr. Har? rington, and Mr. Harrington knew it That he was trying to help Mr. Har? rington und those similarly situated, and that if this association was dis? solved ho would take Mr. Selbels' foot off their necks. i Mr. Set bels interrupted Senator Mc? Laurin and said that he respected his ability and believed in his sincerity, but that Senator McLaurin was wrong in the animosity which he expressed towards the Southeastern; that neith? er he nor the Southeastern had ever done anything to embarrass or pre? vent the development of the State Warehouse System. Senator Mcl<aur in and Mr. Sei bels were standing close together. Senator McLaurin turned upon him like a flash and said, "I will tell you what you have done, and ?vhy It is that 1 am opposed to your i i izatlon. When this warehouse sys? tem was tresabkng In the balance, and had tew friends, and I was fight? ing for Us life, I came home from Uatesburg ono Saturday night?a night so tad that I had to leave my car In Bntesburg and come on the train?and after dark, whilo I was eating supper, a notice was sent around to my apartments from Mr. Selbels' agency that all my Insurance In Sumter county was cancelled. How could I place insurance after dark??and I had to carry that cot? ton over until Monday without any Insurance. I suppose Mr. Selbels thought that I would call him up and want to make some kind of te^ms with him, but I will never, as a State official, prostitute the dignity of tho State of South Carolina by begRlng terms from any such corporation as that. Nor can I as a man bo Intimi? dated by any such methods as that. I took the lht and checked it over and made up my mind that If there shojld be a flro before I could make other insurnnco arrangements I would pay the loss myself rather than beg terms of Mr. Helbols' agency. If Mr. Seihels wanted to cancel the insurance it would hav? been all right, but why didn't he wilt until Monday morning, when I could have had a chance to have placed this insurance." Mr. Selbels h'>tly Interrupted Mr. McLaurin, saying: "I deny that I had any insurance in Sumter rounty." "I say thit you did." said Senator WITH THE LEBISUTORE. SENATE PREPARES WAY FOR ADJOURNMENT AT EARLY DATE. Bill to Drive sou then stem Under? writers Out of State Discussed House Members Object to Certain Features of Liquor Bill. Columbia, Feb. 16.?The senate to? day }repared the way for adjournment by killing all second reading senate bills except uncontest.ee. local meas? ures. Eighty bills were disposed ot in this manner. The bill placing the election of the State game warden in the hands of the legislature was or? dered enrolled as an act. Considerable time was spent in the house this morning debating the bill to drive the Southeastern Tariff As? sociation out of the State without a vote being registered on the measure. IN THE LEGISLATURE. Torrens Land Registration Bill Passed by House?Railroads Must Put on Headlights ? Whiskey "Runner" Must Suffer Consequences Some as Seller. Columbia, Feb. 16.?The house yes? terday passed to third reading the bill, offered by Mr. Crum, providing I for free tests of the blood under the Wasser man method by the State I board of health. After some light by 1 Its advocates, an amendment was add? ed to the bill requiring all those that [are able to do so pay for the tests. 0 0 0 I The house sustained the motion of Mr. McMahan and killed the bill al? lowing the railroads more time in I which they were to put headlights, I meeting with the requirements of the I statutes, on their engines operating I within the confines of the State. 0 0 0 I The special committee printing bills j were ordered enrolled as an act. I The local measurs of Senator Beat tie, providing for a cotton commis? sioner for Kershaw county who will be required, when requested, to grade land weigh cotton in order to settle the (differences between producer and buy I er. was passed and ordered sent to Iths house. The official provided by I this bill is to be elected by the people of Kershaw county. I The bill by Senator Verner author? ising motion pictures In the schools I was passed and ordered sent to the I house. I The measure providing that a cer? tain part of the. Insurance on school I buildings should be. carried through I the sinking fund commission, was* or I dered enrolled for ratification. I The senate also sent to the house Ithe resolution requiring the comptroll? er general to check the old dispen? saries. I The Torrens system of land registra? tion bill was passed and was sent to J the house for concurrence in the sen late amendments. The Carlisle and Sherard bill mak? ing the go-between the buyer and seller of whiskey equally guilty with [the seller passed the senate and was I sent to the house. McLaurln. "I did not," reiterated Mr. Selbels. "I will get a binder now from my jrnce, which I have preserved, show? ing, in your own handwriting, that you did," said Senator McLaurln. "I challenge you to do It," said Mr. Selbels. Senator McLaurln had Mr. White to phone his office, and in a few min? utes Col. Aull, Senator McLaurfn's secretary, came in with a bundle of papers. Mr. McLaurln took out a pa? per. "isn't that your signature?" ho ask? ed Mr. Selbels. "Yes; but that is in Mayosville," was tho reply. "Well, Mayesvillo is In Sumter coun? ty," said Senator McLaurln, "unless the Southeastern moved it last night." "But I meant out in the country," said Mr. Selbels. "Well, here is one out in tho coun? try," said Senator McLaurln; "here Is one signed by your agency on cotton at Tlndal, S. C, which is out in the country, and in Sumter county." Mr. Selbels looked at it a moment, and said nothing. "I will show you somo more," said Mr. McLaurln, and pulled out threo binders signed by Mr. James A. Cath C?irt, president of the South Carolina Underwriters' Association. "I havo nothing to do with him," bald Mr. Selbels. "Well, he is a part of tht- South? eastern; you all work together," said Senator McLaurln, "and hero are the papers to show for themselves." With Intense feeling, Senator Mc Laurln pointed out that the oil mill combinations and tho cotton mill combinations and large properly own? ers went out of the State and got the same cheap insurance that he got for the State system, and no kick was raised, but the moment that 1 e went out and got cheap Insurance for farm? ers, then he was held up as being Kiillty almost of a crime. "So far as l am concerned," he said. "I Intend to TENANCY SYSTEM INJURIOUS. JAMKS I>. EVANS OF FLORENCE EXPLAINS RURAL CREDITS. In Address to House Ho Says State Mast Aid in Placing Agriculture in Reach of tlio People. Columbia, Feb. 16.?The necessity of giving legal sanction and State aid to the efforts to place agriculture in reach of the people of the State through a system of rural credits was stressed yesterday afternoon in an ad? dress by James D. Evans of Florence to the members of the house. Mr. Evans has been a close student of agrarian development for several years and has worked out the systems now at work In England, Germany and Denmark. He called attention, too, to the increasing tide of tenant farmers in this State and maintained I that methods should be pursued to Oheok this undermining tendency. This is one of the most important measures that have come before you at this session," said Mr. Evans, "and is the basis of the requireation of the agricultural people in countries where some such measure has been adopted." In comparing European countries with South Carolina, the speak? er pointed out the great difference in density of population. He said that the art of agriculture which has been dropped out of consideration lately on account of the growth in industry and commerce, is once more coming into prominence. He called attention to the difference in working hours and compensation between farming and industrial work and said that this has much to do with the increasing ten? dency of young people to go from the country to the town. He argued therefore, that some method should be adopted so as to draw back the young people to the farm. Mr. Evans said that a system should be furthered whereby the farmer can ge+ credit with the sanction of the law. He said that such legislation is pioneer work, partly missionary in ef? fect. Mr. Evans produced statistics to show that since 1880 the percentage of farm ownership had decreased from more than 50 per cent, to about 36 I er cent. He showed, too, the in? crease in the number of nogro farm? ers in the last 35 years. He said that an effort is now being made in England to purchase the large tracts of lands there in order to parcel them out as homesteads. He told of the agrarian reform accom? plished in Ireland and Denmark where land has been reclaimed. He said that there the average farm has only six j acres as compared with 79 acres in this State. Mr. Evans said that it would be necessary to aid the farmer to a great? er extent than 60 per cent. He said that the only hazardous feature is the danger of "wild cat" schemes, which, however, were frustrated in Ireland and elsewhere. He pointed lout the need of having the purchaser from the State take out a contingent life insurance policy as a matter or security. The speaker pointed out that placing the man on the farm was only half the work, as it is necessary to estab? lish cooperative associations among the farmers. He told of the agencies at work in South Carolina in this field of activity. He called attention to the large benefits arising out of this mutual association, and said that the loans, when made, are made out of the surplus money and that the re? cipients are not objects of charity. He said that It is a purely business prop? osition. ' Mr. Evans maintained that the requisites for State aid can bo com? plied with in this State. "Let us keep politics out of it," he urged, "and wo shall start a system that will spread throughout the South." The house at the conclusion of the I address ordered a recess until 8 o'clock last night. Gets License for 5th Marriage. A license for his fifth marriage was issued late Thursday evening by Judge of Probate A. C. Dibble to Mr. Wil? liam Prusner, who resides in the Bow? man section of tho county. The groom to be named in the certificate issued yesterday is 76 years of age and has been a widower four times. The bride elect, Miss Williamson, is recorded in the marriage license records as being 28 years of age.?Orangoburg Evening News . seo that tho people of South Carolina are informed of tho operations of the Columbia ring." Tho committee heard the discussion with inten.se interest, and some of the members expressed amazement at tho tactics employed against the State sytem. The committee reported the hill favorably to the house, tho vote being unanimous with tho exception of Mr. K. Keith Charles, who is In the insurance business, and is chair? man Of the Insurance committee from which the house had recalled the bill under discussion to refer it to the agricultural committee* STATE HONORS MERIWETHEB. FIRST MAN TO GIVE LIFE FOR REVOLUTION OF ?76. Was Killed at Hamburg in Leading Uprising Against Negroes and Car? pet Baggers?Henderson the Speak? er. North Augusta, Feb. 16.?With im? pressive ceremonies the monument to the memory of McKie Meriwether, erected by the State of South Caro? lina, was unveiled in North Augusta this afternoon. The exercises were held in the high school building. The orator of the day was Col. D. |S. Henderson of Aiken. The speaker is the sole surviving member of coun? sel for the men charged with riot and murder following the famous clash of races at Hamburg in which McKie Meriwether lost his life. Col. Henderson's subject was "The White Man's Revolution in South Carolina." He told of the events leading tr< th,e uprising of white peo? ple at Hamburg In July 18 and how McKie Meriwether was the llrst man to lose his life in the uprising which drove the carpetbagger and bummer out of South Carolina and established white rule. The presiding officer of the day was ex-Gov. John C. Sheppard of Edge field. The monument was presented to the town of North Augusta In be? half of the general assembly by Sen? ator B. E. Nicholson of Edgefield. It was accepted by Mayor B. C. Wall. POLICE ARRESTED ROBBER. Man Giving Name of L. A. Williams Charged with Entering Columbia Store. Columbia, Feb. 16.?A yeggman giving his name as L. A. Williams was surprised shortly after midnight, 'while attempting to open a safe in a Main street hardware store, by the police and was put under arrest after two shots had been fired at him. Pre? viously in the night he had entered two other stores and rifled the cash drawers, securing only small sums The police say that Williams early this morning unsuccessfully attempted to organize a conspiracy to "gag" the jailer and break from the prison. One of the prisoners is alleged to have "squealed" on Williams. MEDALS FOR TARGET SUCCESS. Members of Sumter Company Given Expert and Sharpshooters' Medals. Acting Capt R. T. Brown of the Sumter Light, Infantry. Company L, N. G. S. C, has received from Ad Ijutant and Inspector General Moore (the following letter which is self-ex? planatory: February 12, 1916. From: The Adjutant General. To: C. O., Co. L., 2nd Infantry. Subject: Small arms practice qual? ifications. 1. The Inspector of Small Arms Practice reports that the following members of your company qualified on the qualification course: Experts?Sorgt. J. A. Owens. Sharpshooters?Private J. V. Mor? ris, Sergt. A. Richardson, 1st Lieut. Brown. Marksmen?-Capt. P. M. Brown, Corp. W. C. Carr. 2. Make requisition for badges and pins for those men who have not al? ready received them during previous years. The requisition has been made and those members who have not receivod them before are now the owners of the insignia. TO PREVENT SHORTAGE. {State Military Law May be Amended. Columbia, Feb. 17.?In order that there may never be another property shortage the adjutant general has had an amendment to the milita.y laws introduced into the legislature, providing that at the annual inspec? tion ot" the companies of the Nation? al Guard and naval militia the prop? erty shortage if any exist bo settled then and there. The amendment reads as follows: "It shall be the duty of the adju? tant general to prepare a list of the government property, federal and State, that may be found short in each organization at its annual inspection. The cost of such property found short in each organization shall be deducted from the annual allotment made by the military board to that particular organization, and tho amounts so de? ducted shall be expended by tho ad? jutant general in the purchase of new property of like kind and quantity. In the event the amount of the annual allotment be not sufficient to cover the shortage, it shall be the duty of the adjutant general to enter suit on the bond of the responsible officer. The adjutant general shall incor? porate in his annual report a state? ment of Vic property shortage in each organization, and the amount paid for such property shortage, and the disposition made of the funds so col? lected." HEW BLOH AT ARMOR TRUST. TILLMAN PROPOSES LAW FOR CONDEMNATION. Suggests That Government be Given Right of Requisition in Time of Danger of Armor Plants. Washington, Feb. 15.?Senator Tlll man, chairman of the senate naval committee, introduced today a bill which would authorize the govern? ment in time of war or threatened war to seize and operate for such a period as might be necessary all pri? vately owned plants manufacturing munitions and armor plate. Owners of such plants would be given recourse to the court of claims for reimbursement of losses incurred, and the government would be re? quired to settle annually until pos? session of the factories was restored and all claims allowed by the court. The measure was Introduced after Senator Tillman had addressed the senate urging prompt passage of his bill to provide $1,000,000 for a gov? ernment armor plate factory. This bill was favorably reported by the naval committee In the face of notice from armor manufacturers that Its passage would be followed by an in? crease of $200 a ton on plate furnish? ed the government for warships. "The threat of those who are mak? ing armor, which wab voiced by the senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pen rose, to the committee in executive session, shows the temper of these men at this time." declared Senator Tillman in his address, "and makes it vital for congress to teach them a lesson. The best answer to the threat Is the passage of the bill for a gov? ernment armor factory." Senator Tillman declared that he "had been shocked by the insolence" of threats of the armor plate manu? facturers and asserted that the longer congress delayed in building a gov? ernment plant, "the more money the government will lose and the longer we will be In getting the new ships al? ready authorized and those to be au? thorized by this congress." "I have no doubt," continued the senator, "that the naval programme when agreed on by the two houses will approximate the number of ships asked for by President Wilson and the sooner the government is free from any possible danrer of a holdup such as has been threatened, the bet? ter for It and the country, too." The senator concluded by saying that in spite of the technical and scientific nature of the manufacture of armor plate there was no doubt a government plant could be built and put into operation within two years. DIES FROM WOUNDS. William M. Bramlett of Greenville County* Victim of Despondency Over Health. Greenville, Feb. 15.?William M. Bramlett, a prominent citizen and farmer of Greenville county, died this afternoon as a result of a gunshot wound which he is said to have in? flicted upon himself. Mr. Bramlett, who lived on the Fork Shoals road, had been in very bad health for some time and was despondent. He was prominently connected In this county. The funeral will be held Wednesday. ASYLUM FOR FEEBLEMINDED. Regents of Hospital for Insane Are Di? rected to Report Upon Plans. Columbia, Feb. 15.?The senate last night passed the bill by Senators Sher ard and Christensen looking to the creation of a school for the training of the feebleminded. An amendment by Senator Laney of Chesterfield placed the supervision of the school in the hands of the board of regents of the State Hospital for the Isane, rather than under a board of trustees of five, as provided originally. The senate re? fused to table this amendment by a vote of 26 nays to 7 yeas. The effect of the amendment will be to annex the school to the State Hospital for the In? sane rather than leave it a separate and distinct institution. The establishment of the school ia in reality contingent upon reports and recommendations which are to be made to the general assembly one year hence. During the interim re? gents, in cooperation with the board of charities and corrections, are to make exhaustive investigations as to tho number and nature of the buildings necessary for such an enterprise, make recommendations as to site, and pre? sent estimates as to the funds need? ed to purchase site, erect buildings and provide equipment and mainten nance. The bill now goes to the house. Endorses McLaurin for Secretary of Agriculture. A resolution has been introduced in the house of representatives by Messrs Rivers and Nunn indorsing Warehouse Commissioner McLaurin for secretary of agriculture In case Secretary Hous? ton Is changed to the portfolio of war by President Wilson.