The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-12-07
The General Assembly.
COLUMBIA, November 80

Legislative as we'll as public interest
to-day ccntered in the Inauguration Of
the new State officials, which took place
in the Opera. House at O'Clock to day
Notwithstanding this, however, both
houses made considerable progress with
the work before them.
In the lower house half dozen bills
ofno public cinterestreceived final read
ing and as many more IA second reading.
The farmers movement bill to transfer
the management Of the agricultural
bureau to the Farmers Association was
read the first time and referred to the
committee on agriculture. Quite num-
her Of Charlestonians occupied seats on
the floor of the House to-day and attend
ed the inauguration. Among them were
Gen McCrady, Sheriff Ferguson, J. ".
Barnwell, j.. P. X. Bryan, H. A. M.
Smith and others.
In the Senate two resolutions relating
to the Columbia Canal were introduced,
one looking to an investigation Of the
ownership Of mill sites on its banks and
the probable cost Of it's completion, and
the other inquiring as 10 the legality of
q transfer Of the States interest in the
property to the city Of Columbia
The earthquake reassessment bill was
opposed by Senator Noise, and was be-
ing discussed when the time for the
Inauguration ceremonies arrived, gus
pending the controversy.
The Charleston salary and stationhouse
s.te bills were favorably reported, as was
also the Jetty memorial resolution.
The Anderson local option election
bill was black -balled by the judiciary
committee The judiciary committee
introduced joint resolution to carry
out Governor Shcppard's suggestion to
amend the Constitution as to County
Commissioners and the tenure Of office Of
Judges.
Bills were also introduced to ratify the
bond and census amendments to the
Constitution. abolishing the office of
Jury commissioner, taxing dogs and
providing for the transportation of con-
victs to the Penitentiary.
Lieutenant Governor Mauld,n was in
troduced to the body after the inaugura.
tion and delivered brief address.
HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The attention Of good many men,
bers Of the House seems to be directed
to the much-vexed trial justice problem.
which promises to give no end Of trouble.
A large number:of County bills have
been introduced looking to the reduction
of the number Of trial justices in the
Counties named. Upon the suggestion
Of the Speaker. all these bills have been
referred to the judiciary committe, with
instructions to report an omnibus bill
covering the changes desired in all the
Counties under one bill. The judiciary
committee have under consideration two
general bills, one by Mr.. Douglass, Of
Fairfield, ard one by Mr.. Hyde, Of
Charleston, looking to a change in the
entire system, in accordance with the
recommendation Of Governor Sheppard.
BLIGHT PROHIBITION sK1RMIsH.
Among the bills reported by the JUDI
ciary committee to-day was one to
amend Section 1871 of the General Stat
utes, relating to the selling Of intoxicat-
ing liquors, &c. The report was un-
favorable, and in the general rush of
routine work the bill was rejected. Later
in the day, however, Mr.. Dantzlcr, Of
Orangcburg. the author Of the bill,
moved reconsideration Of the bill. with
permission to take the floor and make
few remarks. Mr.. Dsntzler stated that
under the law as it is now written an
insignidcantly small community would
organize. get a charter and sell spirits
under the local option law. The amend
ment proposed to limit the sale of
liquors to towns Of not Tess than 500
Inhabitants. The bill was placed on tho
Calandar.
The same committee reported favora-
bly, the bill to amend the law in relation
to agents Of foreign insurance companies
doing business in this State. The COM
mittce on interpretations reported favora-
bly, the bill to incorporate the NeDs
and Courier Job Printing Company. and
bill grant to A. NJ. Bangs and others
the use Of certain sites in the harbor.
pasr Sulivap,s Island m "a oc;l;toto fhoir