Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-17
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
MONDAY, December 7


MONDAY, December 7.
In THE SENATE, Whittemore, from the
committee on the judiciary, introduced a joint
resolution proposing an amendment to the
constitution of the State relative to the juris-
diction of justices Of the peace. The propo-
sed amendment is as follows:
"Justices of the peace, individually, or two
or more of them, Jointly, as the General AS
sembly may direct, shall have original juris-
diction in cases of bastardy, and in all mat
ters of contract and actions for the recovery
of fines and forfeitures where the amount
claimed does not exceed one hundred dollars,
and such jurisdiction as may be provided by
law in actions er delicto where the damages
claimed do not exceed one hundred dollars,
and prosecutions for assault and battery, and
other penal offenses less than felony, punish
able by fines not exceeding one hundred dol
lars, or imprisonment not exceeding thirty
days."
A concurrent resolution was received from
the House requiring report from the receiv-
er of the Bank of the State. On motion, the
consideration of the resolution was postponed
A bill was received from the House provi-
ding for the specific appropriation of reve.
nue. derived from liquor license. The bill
makes all such revenue specific fund for
the support of the paupers and poor farms in
their several counties. The funds are to be
held by the treasurer, subject to the order of
the county commissioners, who are directed
to use it for the purpose stated, under pen
atty of fine and imprisonment. The bill has
received two readings in the House, and was
ordered for second reading in the Senate.
In THE HOUSE, bill relating to the ap-
pointment oftrial justices in Barnwell county,
passed to third reading The bill, among
other things, fixes the salary of trial justices
at $500 per annum for all criminal proceed
ings, and at 5000 for constables, fixing the
number of officials for the county.
TUESDAY, December 8.
In THE SENATE, a concurrent resolution
from the House to require report from the
receiver of the Bank of the State, was adopted.
Mr.. Whittemore introduced bill relative
to offenders against marriage.
In THE HOUSE, Mr.. Meetze, on behalf Of
the judiciary com mmittee, submitted report on
the bill to abolish the office of trial justice,
and to provide for the election of justices Of
the peace, and recommended, inasmuch as
this matter has been specially alluded to in
the governors message, and, under resolution
of the house, referred to the committee on
privileges and elections, that the committee
be discharged from further consideration Of
the bill, and that the same be referred to the
committee on privileges and elections The
request was granted, and the bill so referred.
The committee on ways and means submit
ted favorable report on bill to relieve
Fairfield county from the provisions of an act
entitled can act for the relief of the widows
and orphans of persons killed because oftheir
political opinions" Recommendation favora.
BILE.
The same committee reported favorably on
bill authorizing and directing the county
commissioners of the several counties of this
State to make specific appropriations Of mon
ey collected for county purposes. Recon-
mendation favorable.
The rest Of the session was chiefly occupied
in debating the liquor license bill-the object
of the bill being mainly to impose upon the
county commissioners the duty of granting IL
censes, instead of the grand jury. During the
discussion, Col. Beatty, Of York, addressed
the House, which is thus referred to by the
PhGnir:
Pending the discussion, yesterday, Of bill to
amend an Act to regulate the sale OF intoxicating
liquors, Mr.. Beatty, of York, the Nestor of the
House, made capital point against the lnconsiss
all liquors from the State House and grounds, and
vet giving additional license and privilege to the
traffic among the people, whose homes 1t lnvades
in the most fearful forms. lie lndulged III shoEt
but telling disquisition upon intenperance, which
he described as the most universal, all-perVadlng
and remorselessly destructive evil OF the times:
From the days Of Sir Matthew Hale, who pointed
out its connection with crme to the present, u
has been the source of untold crime, wrong and
suffering. AS to the law ITSELF passed only last
March, and Just now received and understood IN
the counties, he saw no necessity and no auVan-
tage in altering it. TWAS well enough Hs II stood.
'T6e constant alterations and amendments of laws
lead to confusion and misunderstanding. The
best and surest way to secure the respect OF tho
people is to pass good laws, transact tho necessary
public business and go home.
He was in the habit of giving advice to the col
ored people in his county. He summed up his
counsel to them under three heads: That they
should get home, if it be but one acre of ground;
acuuire whatever education was possible FOR thell-
selves and for their children, ana remenlDer tne
hole from which they had been digged and avoid
the evils of the savage condition, the chiefo which
was intoxicating drink. 1twas pleasant episode
to listen to this venerable gentleman as he lncnl-
Gated the lessons ofvirtueand raised MS
hit earnest voice againsta habit which he justly
regards as deadly and disastrous beyond all others:
WEDNESDAY, December 8.
In THE SENATE, Mr. Swals introduced
bill to empower mechanics to sell property
left with them for repairs, after holding said
property for one year. ..
Mr.. Jeter introduced bill to require itine.
rant peddlers to take out licenses.
Tho committee on finance reDOrted unfa-