Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-16
THE LEGISLATIVE.

after a session of fOrty-nlne days, Which dis
tnguiSheS it as the longest session since the
Democratic party regained control OF the
State and it will also be characterized not
only by the large amount of work accomplish
ed-the total number of Acts and Joint ReSo-
lutions ratified being 340-but also by the inn
portance of several measures introduced and
enacted into laws First in Importance, as di-
rectly affecting the largest number of people,
may he placed the stock law, which is diamet-
rically in opposition to the usage of more than
century, and to many who evidently have
not taken the pains to examine into the SUBJ
iect properly, no doubt seems to be SUBJ
version of their rights as free citizens of a
commonwealth. In some portions of the State
the opposition to the law is marked, and
threats are even made to resist it's operation ;
but while it is a law and must be obeyed, we
have no fear that before twelve-month those
now most violently opposed to it will be its
strongest advocates. There is no danger of a
disruption of the Democratic party by the en-
actment of law, which if fairly tested, will
prove boon to the people before the next
election.
Another measure brought before the AS
semby in the early part of the session, like
wise affecting everybOdy-buyer and seller,
producer and consumer-waS the repeal OF the
| lien law a measure evidently in the interest
of the farmer of means and capital. Fortu-
nately, for the welfare of all, the Legislature
resisted the heavy pressure brought to bear
upon it by those who could pursue their busi-
ness without resorting to the credit system,
and left the law where it has stood since 1867.
The poor man, black or white, is enabled to
procure advances Oh credit so far as the lien
law extends such facilities, and if the rich
man does not care to resort to such means
while raising crop, he need not do so; nor
need he shed any tears if the poor man chooses
to avail himself of such advantages as the
lien law extends in procuring him credit.
Besides special Acts prohibiting the sale of
Intoxicating liquors in the towns of Green
wood, Gaffney City, Anderson, Lancaster,
Chester Prosperity and Yorkville, three bills
of general character were passed: First.
To place the collection of the State license OF
500 in Charleston in the hands of the county
commissioners and make it their duty to en-
force the law. Second. To provide for local
option law. This Act provides that whenever
two thirds of the voting population OF any
city, village or town in the State shall express
desire for an election OIL the question OF
license or no license, such election Shall be
held on or about the 1st of December follow
ing The object of the law is to free muni-
cipal elections from the influences of the Ii
quor question. If it brings such elections TO
a higher plane than a mere contest over 'Wet"
and s'dry," it will not be without it's benefi-
cial effect. Third A bill to allow the sale
of wines made from domestic fruits in quanti-
ties not less than one gallon, and also the sale
of spirituous liquors in packages of not less
than ten gallons at the distileries
On the subject of education, besides levying
the regular State tax of two mills for the pub
lie free schools, $4,000 was appropriated for
the South Carolina University; $1,000 for re-
opening the Citadel Academy. and by special
Act, the Superintendent Of education is per-
mitted to use 81, 800 for the purpose of con-
ducting Normal Institutes during the present
year.
The election law, as it finally passed, has
been severely criticised. While it is condemn
ed by many as being imperfect, and opening
the door to fraud-the very thing it was design
ed to prevent-yet it is difficult, in all the sur
roundings, to see how the Legislature, with
the conflicting opinions of members represent
ing sections diversely interested, could have
agreed upon a more satisfactory law, taken in
all it's details, than that agreed upon. It's
hn f1o bnu coS
testing it's efficacy. We have already publish
ed the leading features of this law, and we
would suggest to our readers the Importance
of preserving their papers containing it.
Much of the time of the Legislature was
consumed in considering the reports of the
several joint commissions appointed at the
session of $780, the most voluminous of which
was the report of the commission to revise the
General Statutes and the Code of Procedure.
This was al important work, fully justifying
the time and labor bestowed upon it.
The railroad bill, reported by a commission
appointed for the purpose, also occupied much
time, and occasionally evoked animated dis
cussion, but the result will probably prove sat
isfactory, as affording ample protection to the
public, while being just to the railroads.
The militia bill was also reported for revis-
ion, and as passed will probably add to the ef-
ticiency of the military system. An appropri-
alton of ST., 500 in aid of the militia was also
made
The bill to provide a mode for the assess
ment and taxation CT property is calculated to
simplify to great extent previous laws Oh the
same subject, and will facilitate the levying
and collection of taxes.
The Constitutional commission reported q