The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-12-11
LEGISLATIVE DOTS.

Mr.. J. S. r. Thompson, of Spartan
burg, has introduced Bill in the Hous e
to prescribe the punishment for certain
misdemeanors. The object of this bill
is to require the Courts of Sessions, in
cases where they have concurrent juris-
diction with inferior Courts, to
limit the punishment which can
be imposed in the lower Court, and
not to exceed it. We have not seen the
text of this bill, but from its title sup.
pose it limits the punishment for As
saults and Batteries and for Petit LARGE
nies to thirty days in Jail or $500 fine.
If so we think it would be unfortunate
for the bill to become law.
Mr.. Scudday presented the petition of
Mrs. S. F. Chaplin and the officers of
the w. C. T. u, asking for the intro>
duction into the public schools of text
books upon the Injurious effects of the
use of narcotics and alcoholic stimulants.
The petition was read and referred to
the committee on education. The COM
mittee was discharged from the consid.
Grafton of the petition, and it was ordered
to lie upon the table. The committee
did not apparently think it desirable to
make the study of the use of alcoholic
liquors part of the common school
education. They are right. The boys
studying the subject might have felt it
necessary to experiment in the interest
of the science of temperance just to
ascertain if the books we're correct.
The committee on roads, bridges and
ferries, have reported favorably on bill
to establish the Office of county engineer
and to define his duties. If it passes
there will be thirty.four new Offices to be
filled in the State. We doubt whether
the Office can be made advantageous to
the people as long as the present road
law exists.
Col. McKissick's bill to reduce the rate
of interest to seven per cent. has been
reported unfavorably, but goes on the
calendar for consideration. 1t will
probably be defeated.
Mr.. w. 81. Parker, of AbbeYille, has
introduced bill to prohibit the sale of
intoxicating liquors in the town of
Lowndesville, in AbbevilIe County.
Mr.. Mason has introduced bill
to devolve the duty of manager of the
Columbia Canal upon the Superinten-
dent of the Penitentiary without addi.
tional pay. This is a bill in the right
direction. There is no reason to pay the
Superintendent extra for his supervisory
control of the convicts on the canal.
MIR. Davie has introduced bill to
authorize Trial Justices to issue warrants
for the enforcement of agricultural liens
under certain conditions. This would
work mischief if it should become a
law. 1t is better to repeal the law
entirely.
From dozen or more bills introduced
in relation to the sale of seed cotton, the
agricultural committee have selected and
reported favorably one bill, which is on
the House Calendar, under the title of
"A bill to prevent the purchase of seed
cotton from certain persons" 1t is pro-
hibited to purchase /. From any per-
son, or from any member of his or
her family, or in bis or her employ,
against whom their exists of record an
unpaid lien, mortgage, judgment or
other legal evidence of Indebtedness, due
to any other party than the one purchas'
ing said cotton, without the written con-
sent of the party holding said claim. 2.
From any person, who is party to a
contract of record to work farm ON
shares, without the written consent of
the other party or parties to such con-
tract. 8. From any person, who is under
contract of record TO work for wages in
any capacity upon farm. 4. From any
person who is not engaged in farm labor
under contract of record. The violation
of the Act is made misdemeanor pun
isbable with fine of $40, one half of
which goes to the informer.
The Columbia Canal is just now excit-
ing more discussion than any other mat.
ter before the General Assembly. The
investigation of the work done and pro.
posed was committed to a joint committee
which, after taking testimony from En-.
gipeer Lee and others, and inspecting the
canal, appointed subcommittee, con-
sisting of Senator Moore, of Hampton,
chairman, and Representatives McMas-
ter, of Richland, and Mikell, of Berke.
10y, to prepare report for adoption.
This report is not yet quite complete,
and it is not known whether it will meet
the views of the full committee. AL.
though the members are very reticent, it
is believed that the subcommittee will
report in favor of the completion OF the
canal, according to the original plan,
with the dam at Bull Sluice. Some