The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-12-21
AN IMPORTANT BILL
KNOWN AS THE COUNTY GOVERN
MGNT BILL PASSES THE SENATE.

1t WAS an All Day and Almost an All
Night Fight, but 1t Wont Through at
Last, Despite tho Opposition of Various
Senators.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 3.-The County
Government Bill was the theme of yes
terday's long morning session of the
Senate. The bill aoollshes county
commissioners, creates a county SUI
pervisor." elected by the people and
paid 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 tc contractors to be worked
and kept in repair. Besides, there is
provision for county chaingaugs to be
employed on the roads. The county
supervisor Is to be bonded 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 It is primaril y and
fundamentally measure Of that char =
QnfQr q a a 70
debate yesterday showed that he had
given the subject careful and dill igent
study.
The Senate met at 1890 Il. IN. The
session was opened with prayer by DIR.
Smith of the Presbyterian church.
Abort dozen bills passed their final
readings. The county government bill
special order wps called up. Senator
Jenkins moved to strike out the enact
ing words of the bill. On 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-
HNestt that his county along with
:arleston be excepted from the pro
visions of the bill. Senator Evans
hoped that the amendment would be
voted down, declaring that SD ,cial leg
lsiation Was the curse of the State.
Senator Miller briefly explained his
ohj"c.ions to the bill stating that in
his opinion the bill multiplied Offices
and was not suited to the people
Senator Finley wished to know why
charleston was excepted, and Senator
Bulst answered that since Il lar yc por
tlon of Berkeley with its roads and
bridges had been added to the county
or Charleston he could see no reason
TO except 1t from the general law OF
the State. Senator Evans was periec'-
ly willing for ChaTlst IN 70 be excluded
Senator Buist asked time to consult
his colleague. Mr.. Smythe.
Senator Evans was piled with duCS-
tions from Senators BeTselY and Jpn.
kins until the question on Senator Mil
ler'S motion was demanded, which Sen
ator Evans moved to table. Senator
Derham asserted that under the bill il
would be impossible to get a service rs
efficient as that III orry was now eL Joy
l3g Senator Derham believed tina.
the bill provided three mento do the
work of county commissioners in each
township for nothing, while the super.
visor remained at the court house and
did nothing.
Senator Brce thought that the bill
contemplated an increase of the burden
or taxation which the people atpregent
were IN no condition to endure. rhc
bill committed too much power to one
man. lie was unwilling FOR the poor
people OF his county to be subjected to
the harsh and inquisitorial provisions
of the bill. On the motion to table
Senator Miller's amendment the vote
resulted II to IA and the Pres ident vOt-
ed AYE" therefore Senator Nliler's
amendment was killc /.
Senator Verdier offered a resolution
to exempt Beaufort from the provision
OF the bill. He had been in favor Of the
bill when 1t was understood that .he
supervisor was to be appointed. If he
was to be elected, then it Wa3 Ger tain
that he would be 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
would place him in an
awkward position. 1t would break up
the amicable arrangement now exist.
ing with the negroes, by which the
1Si'"eS ShJ'JSu OlO DCllSHI VI Ills StE-
vices.
Senator j. &. Evans: 81 shall give
notice Of general amendments on the
third reading, and promise the Senator
a political amendment, agreed upon
with him, to meet the necessities OF his
county,"
Senator w. ID. Evans novel 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 road
oVerseer as long as he had, he would
understand what an unfair burden
would be placed upon poor people.
Senator j q. Evans, who was I'm 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 hilIy sections of the |
Safe. Senator Fuller believed that IN |
his county three days road service was
as much as was averaged
Senator Finley objected to the 8 day |