The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-27
A SAD SPECTACLE.

The Legislature of South Carolina for
1888 presented sad spectacle to the
State and to the world. We have
watched the proceedings closely and
with interest. We doubt if ever before
in any country was there ever assem-
bled a legislative body that was so COM
pletely governed and moved ari con-
troiled by prejudice and petty spite as
was the Legislature of South Carolina
in 1893. And by their own admission
they stand convicted. Their actions
remind one more of the school boy than
the wise legislator.
and was there ever before Legisla-
ture so completely under the control of
one man as was this one. It makes
ones heart sad to contemplate the
spectacle. We have no interest in the
matter except that of an humble pri-
yate citizen who loves his State and
his people, and sincerely desires to see
them prosper. The subserviency Of
the members to this one man power
excites pity first and then disgust.
One day they would pass a measure or
kill it by good majority, aud the next
this same action would be reversed and
the cause for this change of sentiment
would not be difficult to ascertain. 1t
did not suit the Grand Mogul.
Once upon time we thought it was
the rule in South Carolina to send the
best and ablest men to the Legislature
to make the laws-men who had minds
and opinions Of their own, and who
dared to maintain them. But that is
simply dream of the pass. The way
things went this past session, 1T would
have been just as well to have sent
dnmmies-possibly better, for then no
time would have been wasted in talk.
o. purse there were some good and
Independent men there, but they were
in hopeless minority.
K
But let us look at some of the meas
ures that have been up for discussion.
The election of judges was all arranged
before the Legislature met.
If any one can point out to US one
law that has been up for discussion
that is for the general good we will
thank him and appreciate his kindness.
Much time was taken up in discuss
ing the bill to put Charleston in the
Black district. What was its purpose?
To promote the general welfare? For
the benefit of the people of the State,
or even the people of the district?
Well, hardly. It was admitted on the
floor of the House in the discussion
that the main and ruling cause for this
action was spite and prejudice, and to
punish Charleston, the largest and only
metropolis Of the State, because she
would not bow the knee to Tillman.
And also to make a district from which
Mr. J. w. Stokes could 60 to Congress.
That was pretty business for Reformers
who didn't want the Offices to be at,
wasn't it, and to be paid S. 3 Gay for
doing? But even this measure was
first killed, and then when it was found
that such action die not suit Gov.
Tiilman the bill was, contrary to all
precedent, revived and passed.
The amendments to the dispensary
law have taken up much time. Just
in what shape that measure finally
passed we do not know, but we sup
pose it viii be in whatever shape the
Governor desires it. We are told he
had it framed to suit himself, and we
can see no reason why it should not
have gone through in that shape, as it
had the executive oil on it. To spite
certain refractory towns that would
not petition for dispensaries to be es-
tablished, that provision has been
taken out, and not only so, but the
board of control for each county IS now
given authority to establish dispen-
saries at any point in the county they
may desire. This provision was strick-
en- ont at session Que night as it did
not look much like 2 step towards pro-
hibition, but at the command of the
Governor it was promptly reinserted
the next day. We suppose those who
opposed such a provision were like
Probibitionist Nettles-they yielded to
the superior judgment of Gov. Tillman.
There are many other changes in the
law so as to make it as stringent as
possible.
After this was written and put in
type another change was made, and
dispeEsaries will be confined to incor-
porated towns, except 10 two counties;
but no petition of freehold voters is re-
quired for their establishment. A con-
flrmation of the fact that this Legisla-
Gure had no opinion of its own:
We came very near forgetting-we
believe there was some sort of salary
reduction bill passed, but it only cuts
here and there, and possibly will not be
appoved by the Governor. But what
if it is? It does not go inte effect until
January !, 1895. Just think oft. These
same reformers who told the people so
much about reducing salaries, and the
exorbitant prices paid, when they do
pass salary reduction bill they put it
on so far that the reduction does not
anect any of them. II is always the
other fellow who is getting too big a
salary. The Herald and News told
you so.
Then there is that bill to establish
the Office OF State printer. Yes, really
another State Office established. We