The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-12-14
The General Assembly.
COLUMBIA, December z,
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
The House WAS tolerably full this
morning when the clerk commenced the
call Of the roll at 10 o'clock, and when
tho opening prayer had ended the late
corners swelled the number SO that
there were very few vacant seats. The
days work Of five hours, while it accom-
plished no great amount Of work Of
definite character, afforded an infinite
variety Of discussions on all sorts of
measures, the lawyers, the farmers, the
Proh;bitionists and the politicians, each
in turn taking an inning, except that the
lawyers had two innings. AS net re-
suit four bills were passed to third read
ing, ten were finally passed and sent to
the Senate, and three were killed out
right and one recommitted.
During the past three days there has
been q sudden and unaccountable falling
off in the supply of new measures.
Whether this is because the members
intended to reform in this respect or
because they arc only taking breathing
spell, it is impossible to say. Thus far
only l72 bills have been placed upon the
Calendar. According to precedent the
Calendar of q new House Of Representa-
tives, at this stage of its existence,
should number at least 800 bills.
During the morning hours bills were
introduced looking to elections in Able
vile and Greenville counties on the
question Of prohibition. A petition was
received from citizens Of Darlington and
Marion counties, praying for the forma-
ton of the new County Of Florence.
The ways and means committee re-
ported a bill to appropriate $1,000 to aid
in rebuilding the State Medical College
Of Charleston. The treasury reserve
fund bill won't over until tomorrow, and
so did the Charleston reasscssment
Earthquake bill. An effort wns made
by tho Charleston delegation to have
this bill taken up, but objection was
luade, and it went over with the under
standing that it will be taken up to-mor-
row.
TIE LAWYERS INNINGS.
The lawyers and heavy takers were
present in full force in the House to-day
when the general orders were reached
on the Calendar, and it became at once
apparent that there would be no plain
sailing down and through the Calendar.
The unfinished business WAS "a bill in
relation to the custodians Of minors"
which had already been partially dis
cussed. The legal fraternity were doubt
loss very much interested in the bill, and
were very much divided in opinion as to
its merits; legislative tactics were resort
ed to, amendments were offered Of all
kinds, and speeches were made by
Messrs. Ansel Of Grcenville, Wilson OF
Sumter, Brswley and McHugh of
Charleston, Dxntzler Of Orangeburg,
Parker Of Abbeville, Hutson of Hampton
and Aaher Of Barnwell, and the discus
sion took wide range, involving the
powers and duties Of testamentary and
other guardians. The bill was amended
and reconsidered, and finally recommit-
ted to the Judiciary committee.
Dr.Popes bill 70 reduce the costs of
attorneys. &c., next came up and receiv-
ed second reading without single
lawyer saying word for or against it.
L.ter in the day bill was reached.
introduced by Mr.. Gary, Of Edgefeld,
requiring the clerk of tho Supreme
Court to transmit copies of decisions to
the Circuit Courts in all the counties,
and it was on this that the lawyers got
in their second inning. The debate was
ably conducted by Mr.. Gary and Mr..
w. B. Wilson, Of York, in favor, and
Mr.. Parker, of Abbeville. and Mr..
Jordan, Of Aiken. against the bill. The
House decided the question in the mega
tive. as they say in the debating socie-
ties, and the Act was defeated. scarcely
anybody but the lawyers voting.
THE SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
The bill to fix the salaries Of county
school commissioners evoked the most
general discussien of the day, farmers,
lawyers, Prohibitionists and politicians
taking an active part. AS it came from
the committee the bill provided salary
Of $500 and mileage Give cents) for each
county school commissioner, except in
Charleston where the salary was fixed