The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06
THE LEGISLATURE.
THE SALARY REDUCTION BILL IN THE
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
The House Shows a Disposition to Cut
Salaries Wherever 1t is Pcssible-Bins
of Interest Passed in the Senate-The
Outlook For Legislation.
FIRST DAY.
The General Assembly cf South Car
olina cuLvened in annual session yes
terday at noon. As is usual On the
first day Of the session no legislation
of any special import was evolved o.
About two-thirds of the time was con-
sumed in the reading of the Govern.
or's message, which lengthy document
imposed hard labor on the reading
clerks and gave the Legislators time
for stretching" and peanut-eating, as
they had copies of the message on their
desks and could read, mark, learn and
inwardly digest the lucubratlons OF his
EXcellency at some other time.
1t is worthy of mention that In his
few remarks to the House, welcoming
them back to legislation, Speaker Jones.
after referring to a vacancy IN the DEL
egation from Union, remarked that be
had mo official and indisputable infor-
nation of any other vacancy.
"Oficislp "IndiSputableH
It is a very reasonable supposltlon
that there is special import in these
words, and it is presumed that this
is the Speakers way OF intimating to
the House that the fact of q member
not living in the State should perhaps
reuuireth their attention. The only note
worthy occurrence in the Senate was
the introduction by Senator Buist, of
Charleston, of bill to repeal the Dis
pensary law and substitute system
of high licenses.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
No time was lost by the House Of
Representatives In getting to work.
Nearly all ahe members were In their
places when, at noon, Clerk j. Walter
Gray called the body to order. The
calling of the roll found but few mem.
bers absent. At the conclusion of the
roll call, the Rev, G. A. Blackburn, of
Columbia, opened the days exercises
with prayer, after which Speaker Jones,
who looked fresh and buoyant, and
full of energy, addressed the House as
follows: .....
THE SPEAKERS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the House Of Repre-.
sentatives: Before beginning the
work of the season, permit me to say
word. Since the last session Hon.
r. w. Harris, 8 member Of the House
from Union, communicated TO me his
resignation, and, pursuant to the U.s.
ual practice, l issued a writ of election
to fill the vacancy. have received no
official and indisputable information
of any other vacancy.
I had hoped that 1t would not be
my duty to announce the death OF
any member, but by this mornir g's
paper ] learn that that Pale Death,
which knocks alike at hut and palace,
has crossed the portals of our Leglsla-
tive household, and that the Hon. s..
M Wiley, of Chester, has passed before
the bar OF God, before the Great Law
Giyer whose edicts are so just that
they are capable of neither amendment
nor repeal, but whose mercy IS ever
sure.
If we expect to adjourn before the
Christmas holidays as Is usual.we have
only twenty days in which to work,
ano it bebooves US to be alert. No I'M
portant matter should be hastily pass
ed, nor on The other hand should any
delay occur. While haste makes waste
steady work accomplishes wonders. l
hope that every word uttered in debate
will be like a swift arrow from a
strong bow, striking the mark with no
poison on its barb, but feathered from
the beautiful wings of courtesy that
while it makes the aim more sure,
makes its Eight graceful.
TRUST that every member OF the
House, every day of this session, will
consecrate all his energies towards
completing the work that lies before
us, and I trust that every member will
be guided by desire to accomplish
the best good to the State. May har-
mony and courtesy and intelligent and
careful industry mark your labors this
session. The House is now ready for
business.
The usual formalities of announcing
the beginning of business to each other
and to the Governor were gone through
with by both houses.
Speaker Jones announced the fol-
lowing appointments: Young h.
Vance of Laurens, keeper of the Speak
er's room; George Jeffries, of Union,
page. Messrs. Blease, Bacot. and You
mans were appointed a committee to
inform the Governor that the House
was ready for business.
Mr.. Thomas moved that the election
for chaplain he held, ard nominated
the Rev. A. r. Mitct.l, Il Columbia.
This was seconded by Mi. Kirkland
There was about to be some discus
. sion as to Wh.ther the Speaker could
cast the unanimous ballot of the
House, whsn en- motion OF Mr.. Jordan
the motion to 60 into an election was
recommended. and in the midst OF this
the Governors message Was announced
Mr.. Breazeale moved that the reading
of the message be petitioned until TO-
morrow. The Speaker remarked that
it would be unfortunate to delay 1t. 81
Mr.. Brszeale withdrew .his motion AMI
the roast began. Clerk Withers then
wIestled with the torty-six page docu
ment for the next two hours.
Representative Brice, OF Chester
then offered q resolution referring tc
the death of bis colleague, Mr.. Wiley
and fixing 1.S0 p. m. tomorrow as the
hour for recording the sentiments Of
tie House in regard to its deceased
. member. At 2.30 the House tock re
cess until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
OVER IN THE SENATE.
One minute before the city CLOCK
struck twelve yesterday. Lieutenan,