The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-05-11
NUMBERS1S 1S.
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
EIGHTH DAYS SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 1877.
SENATE.


The Senate assembled ut IL NJ.
Mr.. Cochran, from the Cmmittec on Re-
trenchmcnt, to whom wos referred bill to
reduce and fix the salaries of certain public
officers, reported back the same with the re-
commondation that it do pass, with the sal
aries of Circuit Judges reduced to $1,000,
Solicitor to 81, ,250, Superintendent of Pen
itentiary to $1,000.
Mr. Cochran, from the Committee on
Retrenchmcnt, reported back the bill to re-
duce and fix the per diem and mileage of
the members of the General Assembly, with
the recommendation that it do pass, with
the following amendment:
,"That each member of the General AS
sembly shall hereafter receive for each re-
gular session such per diem compensation
as will amount to and not exceed the sum
of $500; and when convened in extra scs-
sion, each member shall receive the same
mileage and per diem compensation as arc
fixed for the regular session, and none other:
Providcd, That said per diem compensation
OF the extra session shall be determined by
the per diem compensation of tho regular
session next preceding such extra session"
The committee on Privileges aud Ecc-
tions asked to be discharged from the further
hearing Of the contested case between A. p.
Butler and Z. p, Stoney, claiming seats as
Senator from Aiken County, MS +. p. Stoncy
had failed to appear in his own behalf, and
they rccomend that Hon. A. p. Butler be
confirmed US Senator from Aiken County.
Mr.. Cannon-A bill to incorporate the
Spartanburg and Rutherford Railroad
Mr. Crittendcn-A bill to amend an act
eutIricu zXH act W uuvnorrno-t'ro uvvr,uor
to appoint additional Trial Justices for Un-
ion, Georgetown and Grcenville Counties.
Mr.. Livingston introduced tho following
which was ordered for consideration to-mor-
row.
Resolved by the Senate, tho House of
Representatives concurring, That the Gene
raj Assembly adjourn sine die on Friday,
the 11th of May instant.
Mr.. Jeter introduced the following, which
was ordered for consideration tomorrow:
Whereas u resolution was introduced in
tho Senate of South Carolina in March,
1874, ''authorizing joint committee 70 pro-
cure for the Senate chamber and the hall
of the House of Representatives two historic
paintings each, one representing President
Abraham Lincoln in the act of signing
the Proclamation Of Emancipation, the
other representing Hon. Charles Sumner
in the act of presenting his last great Bill
Of Rights-in tho Senate Of tho United Ssates,
to tho end that future legislators may emu
late their virtues by bcholdng their like
nesscs." For the purchase of the same the
State Treasurer was authorized by the re-
solution to pay one thousand dollars, which,
after some opposition in debate. was changed
to five thousand dollars, and thus amended
passed both bodies of tho General Assem-
bly,; and whereas. it seems, by tho reports
of the State Treasurer for the years ending
October 81, 1875, and October 81, 1876,
that at least four thousand dollars havo been
paid toward the purchase of said paintings;
thereto be it.
Resolvel by the Senate, That committee
of three be appointed to ascertain and re-
port how much money has been paid to-
wards the purchase of said paintings, to
whom paid, what has become of the same,
and where and in what condition are said
paintings and said committee are author
lied to take evidence in the case, and to
send for persons and papers.
Mr.. WhiLtcmoro introduced the follow
ing:
Whereas the Charleston Ne,os, of the
2Sth ultimo, publishes a dispatch from Co.
umbia, of the date Of the 9th ultimo, re-
flccting upon the character of certain men,
bcrs of this body, and accusing them of
receiving, on orders of the Clerk Of tho
Senate, certain goods from the stores in
Columbia. to the amount Of thousands of
dollars, which were paid for in State certii-
Gates, signed by the President of the Senate
and the Clerk Of the Senate, and said certif.
icatcs were, some Of them, paid out Of the
State funds, and that the said Senators were
prvy to such misappropriation of the pub
lie moneys therefore.
Rcsoivcd, That committee Of five be
appointed by the Chair for the purpose of
investigating the whole matter, aud report
ing upon tho same; and that they be en-
powered to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Bowen moved, as an amendment, to
substitute the following:
Rcsoiued, That special committee Of five
be appointed by the President of the Senate
to investigate and report upon all charges
of improper use of the public funds or pub
lie credit Of the State by any member or
officer of the Senate, with authority to the
said committee to send for persons and pa
pcrs with leave to report by bill or other
wise.
| Mr.. Mcetzc moved, rs an amendment to
the substitute, to insert after the word "Sen-
ate" the words "and all parties implicated
in the alleged Frauds" which amendment
| was adopted.
The question was then taken upon agree
ing to the substitute, and decided in the
affirmative.
The President announced Mcssrs. Bowen,
Cochran, Mcetze, Marley and Withcrspoon
rs said committee.
Mr.. Crittcnden introduced the following,
which was ordered for consideration to.mor-
row:
Resolpcd, That the reply of Mr.. +. w.