Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-12-04
THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
TUESDAY, November %, 1879.

The Legislature assembled at IL M, and a
quorum being present in each House, imlhe'
diately proceeded to business. Notices were
given of number of new bills. Such as
are.of general or local interest, will be men.
toned in our columns after they have been in
troduced.
In THE SENATE, Mr.. Taft, (RadicalO Of
Charleston, introduced the following CONCUR
rent resolutions which were ordered for con.
sideration on the next day:
Whereas, it appears that fearful mortality has
prevailed, during the past season, amongst the
convicts leased from the penitentiary; and where
as it is alleged that such mortality has resulted,
in great measure, from the insufficient and an,
wholesome food, improper clothing nl-ventllated
TINS; and whereas, it Is further alleged that no
inquest has been taken of any one Of the many
casual or violent deaths which have taken place
amonst them and whereas, 1t is the duty OF the
grievances and for the prevention of their contin-
uance and repetition-particulariy in the case OF
those who being restrained Of their liberty by
law, are unable themselves to apply to theauthor.
tiles of the law for relief and protection. There
fore, be 1t
sentatives concurring, That a committee OF three
on the part of the Senate and - on the part OF
the House Of Representatives, be appointed 70
make immediate inquiry into the circumstances
attending the deaths which have taken place
among the convicts leased from the Penitentiary
during the present year, with power to compel
the attendance Of persons and the production OF
papers. and to report the result of their inquiry
to the present General Assembly az early as prac-
ticable.
Resolved, That, until the report of the said
committee shall have been received and acted
upon by the General Assembly, the Board Of
Directors of the Penitentiary be, and they here
by are, requested not to hire out any conVlcts
The Governors Message was received, and
after being read, the different portions of it
were referred to appropriate committees hav.
ing charge of the respective matters referred
to therein.s
After the Governors Message had been
disposed of, the unfinished business of the
last session was taken up. A bill to amend
Chapter XVI of the general statutes, by the
repeal of Sections 8, 10 and n, and in lieu
thereof to insert the following: "In case of
the removal, death, resignation or inability
of both the Governor and Lieutenant Govern
or, the General Assembly shall Immediately
be convened, and by joint vote, shall elect
person duly qualified to fll the office Of Gov
ernor," was made the special order for Decem.
Der 2, at IL NJ; a bill to provide for the
holding a convention for the purpose of re.
yising the State constitution was made the
special order for December /, at /. P. M.
A bill to authorize sherifs to appoint
special deputies without the approval Of a
Circuit Judge, passed a second reading. A
bill to authorize and require the county COM
missioners of the county of Chester to levy
and collect special tax, and to provide for
the payment Of the past due school indebted
ness of said county, was laid on the table.
In THE HOUSE, the Speaker presented the
designations of R. w. Shand, Of Union, and
G. NJ. Green, of York. W. B. Rice, of Union,
elected in place of R. w. Shand, and J. A.
Deal, of York, elected in place of c. M.
Green, being present, were duly sworn in.
The unfinished business of the last session
was taken up. Four bills to amend an act
TO regulate the costs of plaintiffs and defend