The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-12-17

hasseo ana otAeFs Noteu upon and
Killed.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 8.-Tuesday
was field day in the House for the
lawyers. They had all the discussion
to themselves. Mr.. Watts's bill to
amend the law in relation to attorneys
fees IN equity cases was the subject of
hot discussion, into which Mr.. Har-
rison was the only member, outside of
the legal profession, who had courage
to enter. Elr. T.. Gary, in behalf of the
Judiciary Committee, which reported
unfaVorably upon the measure, stated
that thPt committee was not backward
in matters of legitimate reform, but
already four measures with reference
to lawyers cost were before the House
and there was no need of this bill. Tho
committee had reported favorably last
winter on bill to abolish all costs in
equity cases and he was still in favor
OF such 4 measure. The present bill
was imperfect. After considerable dis.
cuSSion the bill was passed to third
reading.
Suitable resolutions were introduced
ard unanimously passed in reference to
the death OF Chief Justice Simpson.
GOOD NEWS FOR TAXPAYERS.
Mr.. Watts moved to amend the bill
relating to the extension of time for
payment OF taxes by substituting Feb
rualy 20 fcr February l, 1892.
Mr.. Haskell, from the Ways and
Means Committee, which reported the
bill favorahiy, stated that the commit
Tee had considered tho matter fully
and had decided upon February1. The
clerk Of the Com ptroller General had
advanced many reasons why the OK
tension shod'd not be longer than to
February l. This is the time that has
been customarily selected by the Legis-
lature fo" years.
Mr.. HelGell said if the farmers were
Just as able to pay taxes now as in
February there would be no use for the
extension, but he questioned whether
they could get funds from the banks
before February.
Mr.. Harden claimed that the farmers
were just as able to pay taxes in JAN
nary AS in February. The amendment
was adop ed.
Speaker Jones announced the follow
ing committee on redistricting the
congressional Districts: First District,
lanes Simons; Second, w. II. Yeldell;
Ihlrd, j. ToWnes Robertson; Fourth,
IS. Il. Abney; Fifth, ID. T.. Finley; Sixth,
Moses.
Mr.. Haskell, chairman of the COM
mlttee, charged with the duty of in
veStlgating the actions of the phosphate
commission asked and obtained per-
mission tor his committee to sit during
the sessions of the House.
y petition signed by Willie Jones,
joan Gary Evans, J. Z. Boyd, G. S.
!i%sell, ii. L. Thompson, James p.
Bean, Frank ii. Weston, a committee
appointed for that purpose at recent
meeting of military men in Columbia.
was presented to the House. The
|petltion asked the Legislature to ap-
propriate five dollars for every man in
the militia who passed the annual in.
Spection.
a CONSTITUTION CONVENTION.
In the Senate on Tuesday tho Joint
resolution providing for a constitu-
tional convention, was taken up.
Senator Smythe moved an amend
ment providing that the constitution
to be prepared by the convention shall
be submitted to the people for ratitica-
ton.
Senator Sloan took the floor and
argned strenuously in favor of the
amendment. 1t was opposed by Sena-
tors Donelson, Wilson, Zimmerman and
DoZier. 1t was favored by Senators
Evans and Moore
Senator Donelson opposed it on the
ground, chiefly, that it was for the peo-
pie to say il they wanted q convention
and that when they elected delegates to
convention the presumption was that
these delegates would act in accord
with those who sent them. Senator
Smythe cOntended that he could not see
how those who respected and trusted
the people could oppose this PROPOSE
tloa, which was to give the people an
opportunity of passing upon the changes
made in their fundamental laws. 1t
might be, in fact, that the convention
would be composed of inexperienced
men, who would have no check upon
their actions except q recommittal to
the people.
The friends of the resolution sug-
gested that the amendment might delay
final action until 1896.
Senator Smythe replied that there
would be no cause for such delay and
here was q long discussion on this
point and others.
, The amendment came to vote and
was lost; nay 25: yea II.
Senator Sloan then offered an amend
ment providing that the constitution
to be prepared by the convention shall
not change the public school system
and that it hall provide for it's sup
port. Senator Sloan made a long and
effective argument on this point Sen
ator Zimmerman opposed the amend
ment i'll a very earnest speech. The
Sloan amendment was lost, 80 to g.
The joint resolution was then adopL-
ed by vote Of 26 TO 10, on q call of the
roll, as follows:
Yeas-Abbott, Bamherg. Bsasley,
Bell, Bigham, DesSchamps, Donaldson,
Evans, Ferguson, Glenn, Ilemphill,
Keitt, Magill, Mason, Mcdaniel, Meetze.
O'Dell. Peake, RedfearDe, Sanders.
Smith, j., Stokes, Strait, Zimmerman,
Williams, Wilson.
Nays-Buist, DOzier, Jenkins, Moody,
Moore, Sloan, Smith, Il. NJ, Smythe,
Verdier, Woodward.
ASSESSING PRCPERTY.
The House spent the, greater portion
Iof Wednesday in considering Mr.. Will
l,on's bill to amend certain sections Of
The General Statutes relating to the as.
Itessment and taxation of property.
This bill was the special order for IL
&'ctock. Two hours and half were