The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-01
The LEGISLATURE.

The LEGISLATURE has now been IN session for
n week and that body hns been mithfully AT
work during that time. Little of Importance
has yet been accomplished, though much
good work has been commenced.
IL takes about one week to get the Lcgis'a-
ture down to progressive work. The commit
tees are to be appointed. Thanksgiving day
comes in and whole day is lost. The Cover
hor's message is delivered Oh another day,
and the greater part of that day is taken up
with It, Besides these there are other binder
;ances to progress of a less notable nature. So
fur, there has been no specch-making or
spread-eagle flights of oratory. All seem ac-
lively ut work with faithful desire TO dis
charge their Trust to the best interests of their
constituents. Abbcvillc has n good stand OH
the different committees. The name of Gem
rcral Hemphill, in the Senate, appears several
times in the reports and AMONG tho Commit.
tees. Mr.. Parker is chairman Of tho Judicia-
ty. This is place of the highest honor aid
one where the member may be exceedingly
useful.
The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor
We're TO have been installed into office to-day
,,nI We pvesuiiie the programme has been car
Eied out, and that Hon. John Peter Richard
ron ~ now Governor, and Dr. Maulden is
lieutenant Governor.
In the Senate there is" bill for the more
speedy development of the Columbia Canal,
which 1t seems to u.s. has for its object the ap-
proprlation of the entire labor and profits oi
the penitentiary, with an indefinite eNpcudi-
turc from the public treasury. 1t has been
made the special order for one o'clock Friday.
Speeches may then be expected IN earnest.
One entcrprising member of the House pro-
poses to repeal the lien law and the adoption
of n Constitutional Amendment abclishing
the homestead.
a matter which will attract attention is n
bill to prevent the mortgaging Of crops in this
.stntc.
a bill to regulate the costs of dieting prison
ers rs on the docket. County School Commits
sioners are to have their pay regulated. 1t is
proposed to reduce their salary to one hun
dred dollars.
II is proposed to change the name of the
Chester, Greenwood and Abbeville Railroad.
An effort will be made to unite the office Of
Auditor and Treasurer.
AS usual the trade in seed cotton Is attract
sng the attention of the General Assembly.
Mr.. Murray, Senator from Anderson, Is
s,rcssing the temperance issue, lie having in
sroduced bill into the Senate submitting to
the qualified voters of Anderson county the
question Of prohibiting the sale of whislley
anywhere in said county.
The suggestion of Governor Sheppard to au-
thorize the foreman of grand jury to swear
witnesses Is receiving attention. n bill to
carry out that suggestion has already been in
troduced in the Senate.
Thus far, we believe nothing has been done
toward aboishing the Jury Commissioners
office. The duties of that office might be dis
charged by almost any officer in the Court
House, without extra cost to the county.
The way is now paved for an interesting
session, in which the ablcSt and most influen
tial memb bers will take an active and decided
part. II is proposed to make important
changes in some of our important laws. NO
doubt SOME measures looking to retrench-
,ncnt and economy will receive due attention
from the Legislature. and it IS to be hoped
some good may be effected. The matter of
Sherffs fees and dieting prisoners is already
prominently before the General Assembly.
There will be an effort to establish the Agri-
cultural College. and the Abbeville delegation
will use their best influence to secure that IN
sttution for Abbeville county. The will Of
DR.. Della Howe is now being critically exam.
ined to see If it Is possible TO make an offer of
the use Of that farm for the proposed College.
or course it is not in the range Of possibility
for any man to say what will be done in the
matter, but we are clearly Of the opinion that
10 Agricultural College will be established
this year. and If it fails now, the delay will no
doubt end in an indefinite abandonment OF
the scheme.