The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-02
The Work OF the Session.
News ana COurier.7

-'N " - ''i' N~''I N
The session of the General AsScmhI,
Of South Caroliua, which has JUS
closed, is more remarkable for what i!
Nas refused to do than for what It ha,
"">c. The measures of general !n!ror-
lahc.which havc hccumr laws %rc fpIl!
in nu'her:
!. lhe NlenlSon College bill.
:. The hH to refund tic Ir.wll
consols.
3. The bill! to c"Sjiythe laws.
+. The bill TO pur'.aSc Penitcnt:arv
farm.
a joint resolution w<s ::lso l,asscd
providing for the subnlkaion to the
people OF an amendment te the cons
titution doing away with Comfy conf
misSionerS.
1t would occupy too much space t.
enumerate all Of the measures of more
or less general interest which failed OF
success, but it is worth while to recall
at least few as Indicating the temper
of the representatives of the people of
South Carolina on questions Of more
than local Importance.
First Of these, in the extent Of the
interest ndimportance ofthe principle
involved was unquestionably the pro-
position to abolish the two mill school
tax. The refusal to adopt this PROPOSE
ton is vindication and maintenance
of the position hitherto hefd by the
State in favor Of popular education, in
cluding the education Of the negro,
Second. The refusal to instruct our
Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress to vote against the Blair bill. It
is unfortunate that the resolution in
favor Of such instruction was not in
troduced early enough in the session to
secure fair discussion and thus have
assured its passage. There is no doubt
that the refusal to pass the resolution,
which was due solely to q disinclina-
ton to act without full discussion, will
be used by the friends of that nefarious
measure as an endorsement of their
scheme.
Third. The refusal to pass a marriage
license bill shows a determination to
stand on old South Carolina ground of
no obstruction 10 marriage, which is
the compliment Of the other doctrine
of no divorce.
Fourth. The refusal to pass the Act
compelling certain railroads to provide
separate accommodations for the races,
when taken in connection with the
repeal of the civil rights Act, which
was intended to prevent such discri-
mination, shows a determination to
allow such matters 10 be determined
manner as they may f. W, I' 7noro con
~ 49,. -------'t "1''-ii" hloiS G"u-
sistent with their own interests.
Of the measures Of strictly State in
terest that failed to pass, the attempt to
sell the States phosphate rights, the
proposition to deprive Charleston Coun-
ty Of one of its Senators, and that
changing the time Of holding the Scs-
sions Of the Legislature, the merits of
ali Of which have been seriously dis
cusscd, were perhaps the most impor-
tant, although the bill looking to the
improvement ofthe public roads should
not pass without mention.
The proceedings ofthe session cxomp-
lify the need for reform in the matter
of private bills brought before the
Legislature. More time should be given
to matters Of public Importance, and
less to private schemes. This, We think
is amply demonstrated by the list of
2G4 Acts ratified, ofwhich certainly not
third arc in any sense af general
public interest.