Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-12-04
The Legislature

10
appropriate committees. The message has
been laid beforo our readers, and we shall
try cach week to give our readers such infor.
nation as to proposed and actual legislation
ss we can gather from our exchanges, 30 far
as it relates to our local interests or tho pub
lilo welfare In tho Senate, on Tuesday, no.
ticos were givon Of the following bills:
Senator Crittendon gavo notice that on to-
morrow, or on somo subsequent day, ho
would ask leave to introduce bill proposing
an amendment to the Constitution relating to
q homestead and to provide for securing tho
benefits of q homestead exemption equally to
all classes Of citizens.
Senator Livingston--A bill to amend an
act entitled IAN act to incorporate tho town
Of Seneca City"
Senator Kinsler- a bill to altor and amend
the road laws
Mr. Taft. Radical Senator from Charleston,
introduced tho following resolution in refor.
once to convicts hired by the State to work on
quasi public roads:
Whereas it appears that fearful mortality
has prevailed during the past season amongst
the convicts leased from the pcnitenttary, and
Whereas it ID alleged that such mortality
has resulted in great measure from tho in
sufficient and unwholesome food, improper
clothing, i'll ventilated lodging and cruel
treatment inflicted on it's victims; and
Whereas it is further alleged that no inI
quest has been taken of any one of tho many
causal or violent deaths which have taken
place amongst them; and
Whereas it is tho duty of tho General As
scmbly to provide for tho redress of griev-
nnces and for the prevention of thoir continu-
anco and repetition. particularly in tho case
OF those who, being restrained Of their liberty
by law, are unable themselves to apply to tho
authorities of the law for relief and protec-
tioD; therefore, be it
Rcs0lced by the Senate, tho House of Rep
rcscntatives concurring, That committee
of three on the part Of tho Senate and ---
on the part Of tho House Of Representatives
be appointed to mako immediate inquiry into
tho circumstances attending the deaths which
havo taken place amongst the convicts leased
from tho pcnitentiary during tho present
year, with power to compel the attendance of
persons and the production of papers, and to
ent General Assembly as carly az practicable.
RcsolOed, That until the report of tho said
committees shall have been received and acted
upon by the General Assembly. the Board of
Directors OF the penitcntiary be, and they
hereby a,c, requested not to hire out any con-
victs from that institution.
There appears to be some cause of com,
N frnn f,F -,
Greenwood and Augusta Railroad and if so,
this should DO investigated and corrected, but
we think the plan Of hiring them out shou ID
not for that reason be abandoned They are
fed and clothed by the State at a heavy cx-
ncnse to the tax payers, and wherever this
expense can be saved it should be done. The
resolutions look more of II political cast than
any thing else.
In the Senate q bill to provide for the holds
ing convention for the purpose of revising
the State Constitution was made tho special
order for December lst at p. NJ.
In tho House joint resolution was passed
by large majority fixing the ODD of Deem
Der at o'clock p. NJ. as tho period for the
Adjournment Of the General Assembly.
Several bills wero introduced to nroyde
for the raymcnt OF outstanding past due
school claims in q number of counties. among
them Oconce County. We understand there
orc several thousand dallaro duo the teachers
OF this county for past services. We think
tins should in somo way be provided for.
Several bills hayo also been introduced TO
punish and prevent tho carrying of deadly
weapons concealed about tho person. Such
law is specially recommended hy Gov.
simpson IN his message, and if passed and
enforced it would, without doubt, diminish
the number of homicides in tho State,
Would it DO enforced?
Bills have been introduced in tho House by
Mr.. Miller, Judge Cooke, Con. McGowan and
by Mr.. Nlckssick to amond an act to repu
late the costs of plaintiffs and defendants at.
torneys and of other officers. We hone with
four bills before tho body somo concise and
intellgibl act may be adopted which will,
in tho future, prevent disputes and litigation
over cost.
Tho bill to prevent and punish tho inter
marriage of races was n,adc tho special order
for December Sd ut o'clock.
A number Of measures Of a local character
was introduced and most OF tho unfinished
business OF last session was recommittcd.
On Friday, in tho Senate, tho resolution
from tho House to adjourn sine die was laid
over.
Among the bills INTRODUCED was ono by
Mr Livingston to appoint committee to
examine into tho condition Of tho State Con.
stituton and repOrt amendments Th;a 10 II,