Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-13
LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
MONDAY. December 3.

IN THE SENAIE, reports lTOiH various
standing committees were received. The
committee to whom was referred the bill
asking for an appropriation of $4,000, if so
much be necessary, for the purpose of de-
Tending election officers who. are being
tried in the United States Court, reported
that they recommend the passage of said
bill.
A communication was received from the
House of Representatives asking that the
Senate concur with the House in the follow
ing resolutions "That the Comptroller
General be required to furnish the General
Assembly with list of the county COM
mssioners Of the various counties who fail
to make out their annual reports according
to law" The Senate cOncurred.
The bill to permit persons indicted for
an assault or an assault and battery, to give
in evidence to the jury in justification "any
OpprObrious words or abusive language
used by the prosecutor or person assaulted
or beaten" elected much discussion and the
enacting clause was stricken out.
4 number of bills were deferred as special
orders.
Mr.. ID. s. Henderson introduced bill
to amend the railroad law so as to give the
Railroad Commissioners of this State pow
er and authority to compel railroad corpora
tons to furnish first class and second class
cars for the accommodation of passengers and
to fix rates for the same.
IN THE HOUSE, the bill to require butch
ers to keep a record of the flesh and ear
marks of cattle, the date of purchaseand the
name and place of residence of the persons
from whom purchased, elected considerable
debate, but the bill finally passed a third
reading and went to the Senate.
a number of bills were read the first time
and appropriately referred.
TUESDAY, December /.
In THE SENATE a number of bills were
continued as special orders for future day.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor in
Seneca City and Westminster, in Oconee
county, passed it's third reading.
A bill to make seduction a misdemeanOr
was freely discussed, when the enacting
words were stricken out.
IN THE HOUSE, the concurrent resolution
of the House requiring the Comptroller Cen
eral to report to the General Assembly those
Boards of County Commissioners who have
not made their reports according to law,
was received with concurrence from the Sen
ate; also, a resolution to appoint joint
committee on the completion of the State
House.
A bill to declare it a misdemeanor for
any person to take and use any horse, mare
or mule, without the consent of the owner
and without intent to steal the same, re-
ceived its second reading.
Mr.. Allison introduced a joint resolution
calling for a constitutional convention. AL
50, a bill authorizing Trial Justices to issue
commissions to examine witnesses IN CIVIL
actions who live beyond the limits of the
county; to provide for the testimony Of
witnesses residing beyond county limits, to
be used on trials in courts Of Trial Justices.
Mr.. Haskell introduced bill to amend
the general railroad law.
Mr.. Mayes introduced bill to amend the
law in relation to repairs and work upon
the public bridges ndhighways.
WEDNESDAY, December ).
In THE SENATE, Mr.. r. J. Moore present
ed petition from 1,6OO Of the citizens of
Spartanburg, Union and BarnWell, praying
for the prohibition of the distillation of
Intoxicating liquors in South Carolina.
The bill to regulate the granting of di-
earnestness by Senators Henderson and
Howell. A motion to strike out the enac-
ting clause of the bill was made.
Mr.. Henderson opposed the motion, hold
ing the view that such a law was necessary
to meet the demands of the present day,
and that South Carolina should have such
law to protect her citizens, both male and
female. This State is, he said, the only
one in the Union without such law, and
because she has had none should not be
matter Of so much pride that it would pre-
vent the passage of such a law at this time,
when it has become necessity. Divorces
should not be granted, he held, except
in extreme cases, and then only upon
the establishment Of the fact of adultery hav-
ing been committed by one Of the parties
to ba ra wow Ja Soil SScriptura
sanctions divorce upon such a condition,
and as the bill plainly stipulates that adul-
try shall be the only cause for separation,
| urge that the enactng words be not strick
en- out and that the bill pass.
Mr.. Howell said that such bill would
strike at the very foundation of society, and
would serve to make the marriage contract
matter of much less weight than it de-
served. "That other States have such a
law only illustrates the danger thereof, and
warns us not to frame such a measure as
this, which has never been upon our statute
books except during the Republican regime,
and which was stricken therefrOm upon the
restoration Of the State to Democratic rule"
said Mr.. Howell, with much warmth Such
a law, he maintained, would fill the courts
existing were not sufficient to warrant the
Legislature in passing the bill. He closed
by saying that the State was not suffering
for such a law, and hence it was entirely in
eXpedent to pass it.
The motion to strike out the enacting
clause, on the second reading, was defeated.
In THE HOUSE, memorial Of the pres
identS and general managers of railroads was
received 1t sets forth the grievances of the
railroad companies under the existing rail-
road laws, but makes no recommendation as
to their own relief. 1t asks for such relief
as the General Assembly may deem proper.
Mr.. McIver reported, on behalf Of the
Committee on Agriculture, majority re-
port in favor of the repeal of the Lien Law,
and Il minority report against the same.
A bill to prohibit the sale of Intoxicating
liquors in the towns of Seneca City and
Westminster, Oconee county, was received
from the Senate and read the first time.
The Senate and House met in joint assem-
bly, at half-past for the purpose of electing
a Commissioner of Agriculture, two men,
hers of the Board Of Agriculture and two
members Of the Board of Directors of the
Penitentiary.
Mr.. McIver nominated Colonel a. p. But
Ter for reelection to the office of Commits
sioner of Agriculture. He said that the
verdict of the people of South Carolina was
that Colonel Butler was the right man in the
right place, and strongly urged his re-elec-
tiOn.
Mr.. Talbert seconded the nomination. He
stated that Colonel Butler had made the Ag-
ricultural Department a success, and had
ever been earnest and untiring in his efforts
in the States interest.
The whole vote was 142, all being cast for
the nominee.
Mr.. Pearce nominated Mr.. w. ID. John
son, and Mr. Buist Mr.. A. $. Perry, for
members of the Board of Agriculture.