Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-12-11

proven 10 bc blessing to all classes, and
especially to tho poorer oues, lie denied
that it imposed an oncrous local taxation,
aud burdcning Of tho people being prohib-
tied by the terms Of the bill itself 1t was
designed merely to supplement tho present
lame and insufficient school system by allow.
ing citizens of such towns, cities and VIII
lagos as saw fit to improve their educational
advantages by taxing themselves for tho
benefit of their childrcn---csp especially tho
children Of tho poor.
Mr. Earle opposed the bill. Whilo it
was was not ldcntical with the somewhat similar
Dill OF the Radical regime, it would, ho
thought, be found equally odious. lie op.
posed the delegation of the power of taxa
tion by the Legislature, Which should os.
sumo the responsibility of increasing the
taXatlon ii necessary. Tho bill gave the
power ct making snap judgments to few
men IN each town Or city who could get
together and Impose onerous taxation upon
thc remaining people OF tho district who
m.lsht, aud probably would, be absent. Ho
d!d not oppose education Of tho people, but
objected to this systcm. 1t provided that
any olti2cn returning real or personal pro.
p'rty could vote, but that was nothing. a
man who owned dog could come under its
provisions. While that did not accomplish
It's object, it would be the ground for q hue
and cry of property qualification. He
thought 1t the present taxes wcro collected
they would be sufficient but he would not
object if the Legislature would pass a gen.
eral la~ increasing the taxes for this pur
pose. But he did not believe in giving
power to impose such special taxation.
Nh Cooke replied TO Mr.. Earle. Ills
own objections to the bill had been removed
by ih9 provision limiting the rate of taxa
ton to ! mills. No enc was interested in
the bill unless his district chose to adopt it.
lie did not sec what objection the gentle.
man from Sumter could have if the people
OF Greenrillc decided to tax themselves for
the better education of their chidrop. He
also approved of the provisions limiting the
qualifications on this question.
Mr. Murray opposed the bill. He
thought it would be unjust to nonresident
property holders who would have to pay
taxes without receiving any benefit from
them. lie also thought it would be iniu
rlous IN creating local aud ncighborhood
diasontons all over the State.
Mr.. Kennedy moved that the further
considerations of the bill be made the spc.
cial order for Friday at clock. Adopted,
The bill amending the Revised Statutes
relative to stcaling crops from the fields
came up.
hr. Johnstonc opposed this, expressing
the opinion that it was unnecessary.
Mr.. Murray stated that the object
OF the bill was to raise the offence of stcaling
crops sav2red from tho freehold, from the
field to grand larceny.
Mr. Johnstonc withdrew his opposition.
Mr.. Dargan opposed tho bill The JUS.
tlhcation for the severity of the law against
stealing crops growing vas in the fact THAI
IN that situation they could not be protected.
lie opposed, however, the application of the
same severe law to the stealing of crops left
indefinitely in the fields. lie would sup.
port tho bill if it was amended SO rs to pun.
Ish tic stealing Of crops from tho fields
within few days after being gathered
before gnrncring would be convenient.
The bill was, Oh motion, recommitted
for amendment, and the House adjourned
Nlr. Murray introduced bill to facilitate
the completion of the Blue Ridge Railroad.
COLUMBIA, December 3,--Considerable
excitement was created here to day by tho
announcement of the election of Judge a.
q. Haskell as the President of the Char
lotte, Colun,bia and Augusta Railroad, and
his consequent resignation Of his seat on
the Supreme Bench. Opinions differ as to
whethe: this will tend to simplify or almost
incXtrlcab!y complicatc llo pending ques.
tions regarding the Chief Justiceship. in
the most probable contingency of Judge
Mclvcr's elevation to the Chief Justicoship
there will be no Judge Of tho Supreme
Court left TO decide the merits Of the dis.
pute with Chief Justice Willard, and the
appointment Of three special missioncrs.
by Governor Simpson, (cvcn if hc remain
an unintcrested pa!ty) will be necessary.
The sanguinc ones think that the scnti-
lncnt OF the Legislature will quietly drop
into the plan of leaving the Supreme Court
composed Of Judge McIvcr aud Ncssrs.
Wallace and Simpson. But this is doubt.
iul, to say the least Cen. MCGOWAN and
Judge Kcrsl,aw formally announce thoir
candidacy for the seat vacated by Col.
Haskell. Gen. B. II. Rutlcdgc is promi.
ncntly mentioned, and other formidable.
contestants for the seat are being mentioned
and brought out. The indications now all
point 10 u stubborn and somewhat confused
fight.
TIE real. MAuoMEr-"Why do you;
think the plaintiff insanc?" witeess exam.
lned as to somebody's mental condition was,
asked by council at triol.
"Bocause," replied the witness, "ho is
constantly going about asserting that he is,
the prophet Mahomct"
"And pray, sir" rotortcd the learned.
judge, "do you think that when person
declares he is tho prophet Mahomet, that it