The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-20
AN IMPORTANT BILL
KNOWN AS THE COUNTY GOVERN
MENT BILL PASSES THE SENATE.

| MENT BILL PASSES THE SENATE.
It was an All Day and Almost an AL
Night Fight, butt it Went Through at
Last, Despite the Opposition of Various
Senators.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 13-The County
Government Bill was the theme of yes.
terday's long morning session of the
Senate. The bill abollshes county
commissioners. creates county su'
pervisor." elected by the people and
paid a salary, and township boards OF
road commissioners, whose approving
consciences are their only recompense.
The supervisor" performs the admin.
| istrative duties which now devolve on
comfy commissioners and in addition
| to this he, with the county board of
road commissioners" divides the coun-
| ty into convenient sections as regards
| roads and bridges. Then the county
supervisor is required to let out these
sections to contractors to be worked
and kept in repair. Besides, there is
provision for county chsiagangs to be
employed on the roads. The county
supervisor 1s to be q bon ded officer and
bonds are to be given for the perform
ance of their Obligations by road and
bridge contractors. Mr.. Evans is fond
of calling the bill "road bill" and
frankly admits that 1t Is primarily and
| fundamentally a measure OF that cha r
acter. His elaborate arguments in the
debate yesterday showed that he had
given the subject careful and dligent
study.
The Senate met at 1890 a. m. The
session was opened with prayer by Dr.
Smith Of the Presbyterian church.
| Abont dozen bills passed their final
readings. The county government bill
special order was called up. Senator
Jenkins moved to strike out the enact
| inQ.Words of the bill. On a division his
motion was lost by vote of 10 to 13:
A call of counties was then had for
Senators to suggest salaries for "coun-
/ ty supervisors" Which had been left
blank in the bill. When Lancaster
| county was reached Senator Miller re-
Quested that his county along with
Charleston be excepted from the pro-
| visions Of the bill. Senator Evans
| hoped that the amendment would be
voted down, declaring that spscial leg
islation was the curse OF the STATE.
Senator Miller briefly explained his
objections to the bill stating that In
his opinion the bill multiplied ofices
and was not suited to the people.
Senator Finley wished to know why
Charleston was excepted, and Senator
Buist answered that since large por.
tion of Berkeley with its roads and
bridges had been added to the county
| of Charleston he could see no reason
| to except it from the general law Of
the State. Senator Evans was perfect
| ly willing for Charleston to be excluded.
| Senator Buist asked time to consult
his colleague, Mr.. Smythe.
| Senator Evans was Piled with ques-
tions from Senators BeaselY and Jen-
kins until the question on Senator MIL
| ler's motion was demanded, which Sem
stor Evans moved to table. Senator
Derham asserted that under the bill 1t
would be impossible to get service as
eficient as that Horry was now enjoy
ing, Senator Derham believed that
the bill provided three men to. DO the
work of county commissioners In each
township for nothing, while the super.
visor remained at the court house and
did nothing. -
Senator Brice thought that the bill
| contemplated an increase Of the bnrden
of taxation which the people at present
were In no condition to endure. The
bill committed too much power to one
man. He was unwilling for the poor
people of his county to be subjected to
the harsh and inauisitorial provisions
of the bill. On the motion to table
Senator Miller's amendment the vote
resulted IA to IA aad the President vot-
ed "aye," therefore Senator Millers
amendment was killed.
Senator Verdier offered resolution
to exempt Beaufort from the provision
Of the bill. He had been In favor of the
bill when 1t was understood that che
supervisor was to be appointed. 1t ne
was to be elected, then 1t was certain
that he would be a Republican and a
| negro.
Senator John G. Evans: 81 am will
ing to accept an amendment for the
Governor to appoint the supervisor for
Beaufort.
Senator Verdier stated that such an
arrangement would place him in an
awkward position. 1t would break up
the amicable arrangement now exist
ing with the negroes, by which the
Senate enjoyed the benefit of his SER
vices.
Senator J. G. Evans: II shall give
notice OF general amendments on tne
third reading, and promise the Senator
a political amendment, agreed upon
with him, to meet the necessities OF his
county"
Senator w. D. Evans moved to amend
by making the time by which the tax
could be commuted in labor at five In
stead of eight days. Senator Evans
said that he was In favor of the bill
nearly all the way through, but If the
Senator from Aiken hal been a road
overseer as long as he had, he would
understand what an unfair burden
would be placed upon poor people.
Senator J G. Evans, who was In an
accepting frame of mind agreed to ac-
cept this amendment, too. Senator
Zimmerman thought that the amend
ment would defeat the purpose OF the
bill as to the billy sections of the
State. Senator Fuller believed that In
his county three days road service was
as much as was averaged.
Senator Finley objected to the 8-dsy
provision, maintaining that The labor
of those who could not pay the tax
i unnId ha piuan To the county at the