The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-12-16
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
BoTn HOUSES GIsT DOWN no Actual
WORK.

Several Measures Of Public Interest Con.
. Sidcrod---Synopsis of the Proceedings.
F The third week Of the session Of the
Logislature was full Of important work.
Below will be found a synopsis of the
proceedings.
The following new bills were intro
duced: Bill Amending the charter of the
town of Chester; relating to the pay
ment of witnesses in criminal eases i'll
Lancaster cOrnlty; allowing Probate
Judges to perform tho duties Of the
supervisor OF registration.
Bill to charter the Bank Of Greenwood;
amending the priority lien law; Joint
resolution to amend the Constitution by
striking out Section 30 Of Article 2, in
reference to homestead: to regulate the
sale of seed cotton and unpaoked lint
cotton in Abbeyillo county; bill to roquirc
assigncos to give bonds; to enable tho
superintendent and directors of the pcni-
tantinry to make contracts for work in
this State.
On motion Of Senator Murray a con-
current resolution was adopted and sent
to tho House fixing the time for elccting
Judge to the Third Circuit at ono
o'clock OH the 9th inst The election
was duly held, and the Hon. T. j.
Fraser, incumbent, was reelected with
out opposition.
The Senate agreed to tho House con-
current resolution as to the printing Of
the reports Of tho State Boar,i Of Health.
SECOND READING.
Bill to repeal the Act regulating the
admission Of foreign Uety companies:
bill providing for the repair Of the Beau.
fort Arsenal; House concurrent rcsolu-
ton requesting Senators and RGprescn-
tatlves to support tho bill providing for
agricultural experiment stations.
When the House bill came up author
izing the foremen Of grand iurics to adj
minister oaths to witnesses, Senator
Buist moved TO strike out the cractino
clause. Ho made q vigorous speech
against tho proposition as a dangerous
innovation.
Senator Woodward said that the law
was necessity not luxury 1t came
high and there was complaint about it
1T ought to be simphticd, but he was
afraid the legal gontlomcn didn't want it
to be simpliticd. He knew that if he
wore lawyer he would object so making
law matters easy of understanding. He
believed that simpliiication could 20
farther. All this tomfoolery III tho lone
indictments about diSchGrging one loadcS
bullet aforesaid, iauGhtcr, ought to le
done away with. He was curious to
riGmarolc had cost the State in her his
tory.
Senator Patterson Thought there was
good reason for the present practice and
that it should not be changed.
On SSCnaiOr BuiSt'S rOotinn ILn ,.o4,
stood: Yeaa-Bicmap Buiyt, Iipmphiu,
howell, Kennedy, McAIastcr, Noise,
Monroe, Patterson, Reynolds, Williams
and Youmaus Nnys-Alcxander,
Austin, Byrd, Erwin, Eicld Izlar,
Moody, Moore, Murray, Sigh, Smith,
Smythc, Wingard, Woodw@rd and
Woilurd--1J.
The bill then passed without u di-
vision.
The House bill reducing The ,alary of
the Lieutenant Governor brought Scna-
tor McNIastcr to his feet. He moved to
strike out the cnacting words, but did
not speak.
Senator Woodward was in doubt and
wanted information
Senator Patterson could sec no reason
made by the Lieutenant Governor for
the extra salary Of 81 900, which it was
proposed to cut off. If there WAS to be
reform anywhere it ought to begin here.
Senator Field thought the salaries
paid some of our State officers amounted
to practical idolatry. The State was on
the verge Of famine and this useless ex-
pcnditurc ought to be cut off
Senator Sligh agreed with these views.
Senator McNlastcr said that he had
made his motion on the general prODosi-
ton that salaries ought not to be re-
duccd. Salaries in this State were small
enough already. The salary Of the office
should bo commensurate with its digni-
ty. Poor pay meant poor preach. If
the salaries were cut down, it would
bring into office q class Of impccunious,
onc-horsc men, or leave the Offices to the
rich.
Senator Woodward did not object to q
reduction OF salaries, but he did not
want this clean sweep. He was willing
to rcduco the salary to $500, but not to
cut it off. Ho proposed to sit down on
those who had como here proposing to
make the State rich by cutting off lit
tie slice of salary here and little slices
there. He would not give aid or COM
fort to these prctensionS.
Senator Howell avOwcd himself an
economist and supported the bill.
Senator Buist rallied Senator Wood
ward on his position in this matter as
contrasted with his vote against paying
Mr.. Miles for his services in the bond
scrip cases.
Senator Woodward retortcd by saying
that he had taken his position under the
mistaken impression that this salary was
one of Senator Buist's glorious institu-
tlons of the past, which should be pre-,
served 1nviolate. Understanding now
th@t 1t was q post bollum law ho with
drew his opposition.
senator Moore showed that the Con
sClCu1lon required the Lieutenant Gov
ernor to act as Governor in case of tn,
iaCCffs 1nnt1 disability. The salary was cvi
o,? deatly ah ,5e designed to fit such an omcrgcn
y tgyat 5HG"ld f%n dtoi it arise He thought beside
some salary beyond the per diem '''i "
After further discussion Senate No
Masters motion was lost by t2tCl n vote Of tic
to ~ and the bill passed. The ofYirma
two votes oF l. q ''i'tit'it'