Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-12-21

MI. Whlte, OF YORK, introduced q
Bill which was presented at the last ses-
sion. 1t is entitled Bill to provide for
the Widows and Orphans of persons who
have been killed by the Ku-Klux. It
provides for the levying and collecting
of tax of-millsfon the dollar, in the
nine counties declared in rebellion by
Grants ku-Klux proclamation, viz:
Newberry, Union, Spartanburg, Laurens
York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield and
Chesterfield. The tax 80 levied to con-
stitute fund for the payment of annual
pensions to the Widows and Orphans of
such persons as have been or may be
killed by the Ku Klux The County
Treasurer of each Of the counties named
is constituted kind of impromptu pen
sion agent for the distribution of this
fund.
This Bill, if passed, will throw open
the door to more frauds and populations
than have ever yet been resorted to. The
reputation of County Treasurers in con-
nection with their offices is generally not
very good. Somehow these gentlemen
seem to have developed weakness for,
specializing in the funds entrusted to
them, and their vagaries in the discount
business have become even the subject
Of legislation. 1t may readily be per-
ceived then that the passage of the Bill
in question will not only be of nc bene-
fit to the victims aforesaid, butwill have
the effect of creating such host of bo-
gus Ku-klux victims as will envelope
the country in mourning. 1t will, in fact
enable the dead victims to fulfill the
scriptual injunction to multiply and
people the earth."
The resolution declaring vacant the
seat of j. Tanks Lyle, of Spartanburg,
on account of his being connected with
the Ku Klux Klan, was referred to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections,
with power to send for persons and pa
pers.
The Senate, in executive session, ap-
proved the appointment ofDr John A.
Barker, Jury Commissioned for Edgefeld
County.
On Thursday, the 18th, in the Senate a
bill was introduced to authorize county
treasurers to receive pay certificates OF
members of the Legislature in payment
of taxes. The bill to renew the charter
of the Peoples Bank, of South Carolina,
and the bill to renew the charter of Straw
horrx, L'orr,, ,yaro nausod rVha hill IN
create State board of health and vital
statistics was referred to the medical
committee toreportas toits practicability.
In the House, (says telegram to the
Charleston Neacs) Bowen's special inves-
tigating committee made their report.
They show that the whole, bonded debt
of the State, in October, 1868, was s, ,407,-
800 ~, exclusive of the war debt. To
this they add the bonds issued for the re-
demptiOn of the bills of the Bank Of the
State; amounting to 81, ,255, $50, making
the old State debt So, 665 1856. During 1863
and 1870 there was added the bonds for
the redemption of the bills receivable,
S500,00 and the bonds TO pay interest,
S500,000, making the bonded debt in &C.
tober, 1870, 81, ,665, 1856 27. About The same
time there were in the hands Of the finan-
cial agent the bonds for the relief Of the
treasury 10000 900, the bonds to pay in
terost $500, 900, and the land commission
bonds 1000, making the grand total
9,665, $50 II. This shows only So, 100000
Of new bonds issued up to October, 1870
According to the sworn statement Of the
treasurer, there are now signed and out
standing 50 5l4, $50 of new bonds. D duct
from this amount the 5000, 900 above
A
of bonds, signed and pat upon the mar
ket, which the report declares to be All
over-isSue. The report further shows
that the acts under which these issues
a:e claimed to have been made limited
the time during which the bonds could
be issued totwelve months, Which was af-
forwards extended to twenty-four months
but these bonds have been issued since
the expiration of tho authorized period,
even rs extended. The report concludes
as follows: Your committee are fully
satisfied that the State has been defraud
ell by all over-isSuc of S6,34l 900, and
would. therefore, respectfully recon-
mend that the necessary steps be taken
have violated the law and ruined the
credit of the State" Signed by Bowen,
Byas, Frost, O'Connell and Jones. The
report will be considered Friday after
noon, when, it is threatened, Scott and
Parker will be impeached.
The House passed the bills to empower
probate judges to issue executions, to es.
tablish wharf ut Martins Point, and
the concurrent resolution TO adjourn from
December 22d to January 5th. Hurley
introduced bill requiring that all secu
rites Of the State be registered within
ninety days, after which time no princi-
nr inf nf iSt0rQN hnn1S
should be paid.
The resolution relative to the removal
of Judge Thomas was taken up, when
Judge Thomas appeared at the bar of the
House and announced himself in readi-
ness to defsnd himself After some pet
tifogging. Hurley sprang motion to in
definitely postpone the whole matter,
which passed, thus effectually killing
the measure.
On Friday, the 10Th, in the Senate, Dix
ON introduced new game law, and Whit
temore introduced resolution to burn
ell the State bonds on hand in the treas
NY.
Resolutions were adopted by both
houses inquiriny of The Governor what
disposition had been made OF the agricul-
tural land scrip given by Congress to this
State also, requiring the sinking fund
commissioners to state what public prop
erty and assets have been sold, and what
amounts of money were realized there
from.
The Senate passed the bill to amend
the charter Of the Town of Georgetown;
the bill to amend the act T., regulate the
manner of keeping and disbursing all
funds; the resolution to require the State
trea mrer to make an exhibit of all bonds
and stocks issued since September, 1868.
under pain of removal the bill to amend
section 80 of the Code.
In the House notice was given of 8 bill
to create the County Of st. George from
a portion of Charleston County
The bill TO appropriate Sl50,000 for per
diem and milege of members and other
expenses was passed; also the bill to
provide for the punishment of embezZle-
ment of public money, ano the bill con-
corning State and county treasurers.
The consideration of the report of Bow
ems tinancial committee was postponed
TO Monday.
In the Senate, on Saturday, the 10Th,
Whittemore introduced bill to require
County Commissioners to give bond and
sufficient surety to the County for the
faithful discharge of their duties as
County Commissioners.
Na:ih-To empower fathers to legiti-
,,ize certain children by their, last will
and testament. .