The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-12-10
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

DEQukulb&Ou low Al SNSASS1 sANS ~>>-NS
that County as one of the certainly dry
Counties of South Carolina. We believe
that Anderson will join Oconee and
Pickens as soon as the election is ordered in
this County. There can be no reasonable
ground upon which the Legislature can
refuse to let us vote on the question, so
that the will of the people shall be the
law in Anderson County.
The Senate, on motion of Senator
Earle, by vote of 10 to IL, struck out
the enacting words of the Tax Commis.
MISSIONS Bill to regulate the assessment
and taxation of property. Col. Earle in
making the motion maintained that it
was inquisitorial, that its provisions
seemed designed to reflect upon the hon
esty of the taxpayers, that it was compli-
Gated and did not simplify existing laws,
and that it was unnecessary in State
which paid 9S per cent. of its taxes. In
order to save several days Of useless con-
sideration, he made the motion to kill at
this time.
The Bill introduced by Mr.. Stanyarne
Wilson, requiring the State to assume
the payment Of the County debts con-
tracted for the construction of railroads
was overwhelmingly defeated. The Bill
was unconstitutional, and had no justice
in it. 1t ought to have been killed.
Senator Patterson has introduced 8
Bill to limit the number of peremptory
challenges in criminal cases. This, we
presume, is to place a check upon the
abuse of the right Of challenge by reason
of which it is almost impossible to con-
vict man of murder, in this State. e
proper Limitation of the right Of chal-
lenge would be step in the right direc-
ton.
The Joint Resolution calling consti.
tutional Convention passed to its third
reading in the Senate by vote of seven
teen to thirteen, with FIVE members
absent. The Joint Resolution was sub
sequently killed for the lack of the con-
stitutional two-thirds vote necessary for
its adoption. We regret to see this
action on the part of the Senate, for we
believe new Constitution would be most
valuable to the State, and enable us to
greatly reduce the current, expenses of
the government. Our present County
system is too cumbrous, our judiciary
system is defective, and many of the
general provisions Of the Constitution
are onerous in the extreme. A Constitu.
tional Con vention would be the speeeiest'
cheapest and most certain remedy.
The House Of Representatives has
passed the Census Bill. 1t authorizes
the Governor to appoint census taker
in each County in the State, who may
appoint assistants. The census is to be
taken il. the months of March and April,
1886. The sum of $25, 900 is appropriat-
ed to pay the expenses. The census
takers are to make merely an enumera-
ton of the inhabitants, for which they
are to be paid two cents per capita.
The Senate Joint Resolution offer.
ed by the judiciary committee,
proposing an amendment Of the Copsti.
tuition enabling the Legislature in its
discretion to use the census of the United
States Government for the apportionment
of representation, also passed its second
reading without an adverse vote. There
may be dead lock between the two
Houses, and both plans for disposing of
the census question fail again.
The following Constitutional amend.
ments have been introduced in the
House, and are on the Calender:
1. Section 2, Article TX, and Section
5, Article x, reported favorably. Sub
ject, School Tax. Proposed amendment
to Section 9, Article TX:
sThe General Assembly may provide
annually for poll tax of not less than
one dollar on each poll" Amendment
to Section 5, Article x, strikes out the
following: provided that no person
shall ever be deprived of the right OF
suffrage for the non-payment of said tax.
No other poll or capitation tax shall be
levied by the State, nor shall the amount
assessed on each poll exceed the limit
given in this section"
2. Article II. Subject, Census and
Enumeration. To amendment add the
following:
"Sectiou "a. Instead of the enumera.
ton provided for in Section 4 of this
article the General Assembly may at any
time in its discretion adopt the immedi.
ately preceding United States census as
q true and correct enumeration of the
Inhabitants of the several Counties, and
make the apportionment and assignment
| of representation among the several
Counties according to said enumeration. .
3. Section IA, Article TX. Subject
Public Debt. Proposed amendment:
"Section IA. Any deot contracted by
the State shall be by loan on State bond:
of amounts not less than 500 each
bearing interest payable semi.annually
and payable within fifty years after the
final passage of the law authorizing such
debt"
4. Section 8, Article II. Subject, Com
position Of the Senate. Amendment:
Section 8. The Senate shall be com
posed of one member from each County
to be elected for the term of four years,
&c. Report unfavorable.)
5. Article XVII. New article. Sub
ject County and Municipal Debts
Amendment:
"Article XVII, Section 1. The Leg.
islature shall have no power to authorize
any County or other political corporation
or subdivision of the State to issue bonds