Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-12-07

oilnOnS n0u ''"ph elartcd. who Opnn being
informed Of his election. assumed the gavel in
brief speech.
In tho farther organization Of the House,
Col. John I. SIoun was reelected Clerk
without opposition. aud Mr. II. NJ. Ander~
was elected Reading Clerk and Col. John d.
Brown Sergeant at- Arms Of the House. lilo
has served in this position sinoe 1876.
The only bill noticed in tho IIouso tho
first day was bill by Mr.. AnseI, of Green
vile. to provide for tho regulation Of railroad
freight and passenger jtarifs in this State
and to 'rnn' commissioners and
prescribe their powers and duties in relation
TO the same. The bill provides for the ap-
pointment by the Governor .n'"s com-
missioners at o salary Of 50 900 rrr annum
to be paid out Of the Stateetreasury, who
shall hold their offices six years, except that
the frat three commissioners shall
hold their Offices two, four and six
years respectively, as our Supreme Court
Judges. 80 that one .ial &, nut Of ofIico
every two years. This -ecures experience in
the majority of tho board as far as practica.
bic. They will have tho power to prepare n
schedule Of rates for the government of oil
reirouds in this State and TO compel the
enforcement Of tho same The bill is framed
after tho Georgia bill, which is s""d
recommendation to its passage, Us in no
State do we believe railroads are better
managed than in Georgia. A question might
arise. if the bill should pass, whether the
commissioners should be appointed by the
Governor or elected by tho Legislature.
Either will do, while neither might do, for
the appointment or election if made of
practical, active mon for practical, active
purposes, will be oil tho people could wish
or the public welfare demand. On the CON
trary. if the claims Of friendship or family
position. or even past political services are
to be the basis of election or appointme ent
under tho bill, it would be mere chance if
tho law accomplished any good. The COM
missioners are to bo we'll paid and they
should be practical men who will work
practical good for tho State. We say this
now, rs wo consider it Il foregono conclusion
that this or some similar bill will be passed.
Public sentiment and public right demand
somo protective legislation as to our rail-
roads and their voco will be needed. We
do not deny but the present rates Of freight
and travel are lower than some years ago,
nor but the roads arc in better condition and
make better time. but arc they low enough
and do they discriminate? Start to Atlanta
and you must pay four cents mile in this
State and three cents in Georga. Why2
There can be no valid reason and this is not
an isolated case, but discrimination is to be
found in lreghts ard passengers more or
less on all our railroads and should Ec
checked.
In the House tho appointment of cons
mittees by tho Speaker was laid over till
Wednesday and that body adjourned at 3
O'Clock p. M.
On Tuesday at the same hour tho Senate
met apd organized. Mr.. IIarI1ee, of Marion,
was elected temporary chairman of the Senate,
Col. L. Stobo Farrow was ro-electcd Clerk,
Col. A, d. Goodwyn, Reading Clerk and L.
II. Marshall, Sergcant-at- Arms.
The committees of the Senate were then
nominated and elected. Senator Shuukln
Bills and is q member Of FIVE other commits
tees, among them tho Committee on Claims,
on Contingent Accounts, Roads, Bridges and
Ferries and Public IBnildings. Tho Conn
mittee on Claims and Contingent Ac.
counts are among tho most important in
every legislative assembly. .as on them devolvcs
tho duty of auditing and reporting on cuims
and accounts against the State. They to O
large extent hold tho purse strings, as o
favorable or unnvornble report on claim is
rarely voted down.
A resolution was adopted instrucling
the Judiciary Committee to Inquire and
report what legislationis necessary to restrain
railroad corporations from unjust dscrimina-
tion and csorbtant charges, also bill to
provide for o rairond commission. 1t will
thus be seen that both the House and tho
Senate on the first day Of tho session nrc
after tho railroads.
The following measures Of importance
were introduced or noticed in tho Senate:
A bill to prohibit the Standing aside Of jurors
except for cause in tho State courts, a Joint
resolution ratifying the amendments to tic
constitution, n joint resolution providing for
a constitutional convention, bill to mod ry
the stock law. Other measures of local in
terest only were noticed.
On Wednesday the proceedings of the
House were Of little public interest. Tho
Speaker appointed assistant clerk, bill clerk,
pagos, laborers, &,., to the number in the
aggregate Of fifteen.
A number Of bills were introduced or
noticed, mostly by memhara
nc uute among measures Of general lcgis-