The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-22
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
A GOOD BEGINNING MADE BOTH IN
I ! THE SENATE AND HOUSE.

Speaker Jones Makes a Capital Speech,
Brirnful Of Good Humor and Enthusiasm
Tho Message Read In Both Houses and
Appropriately Referred.
COLUMBIA, Jan. 1.-THE General
Assembly met yesterday at noon.
Witha q few exceptions all the MEM
bers were present, only seventeen
members of the lower house being
absent. The organization from the
first session still being in force there
was no delay on that score. Most OF
the day, however, was spent 10 get
ting the body in working order and
mapping out the matters that will
have to beeonsidered during the ses-
sion. The Senate, which gets along
J with its work more rapidly than the
House, had quite number OF lmpor-
tant matters proposed, among them
the new registration bill, which will
be introduced in the house in the
morning.
Most of the Legislative day was
spent in the reading of the Governors
message, which proved to be a much
longer paper than usual. This, was
partly Que to the necessary considera-
ton of the Constitution. The Gener-
al Assembly has started out with the
best of feeling and an evident appre-
ciation of the Importance of the work
that has to be considered. Speaker
Jones, in his brief opening talk, struck
quite happy note, with which it is
to be hoped the members will keep IN
harmony. A good business-ike be-
ginning had been made and with the
proper and expected perseverance
there need be no unusually long ses-
sion of the Assembly.
When the body was turned over to
Speaker Jones with the announce
ment that q quorum was present the
Rev. Mr.. Carroll was asked to open
the session with prayers. Speaker
Jones took occasion in calling the
body to order to make quite an oppor.
tune address.
The Senate sent over message that
it was ready for business. Upon mo-
ton of Mr.. Garris, Messrs. Garrls,
CASTOR and McSweeney were appoint
ed committee to advise Governor
Evans that the House was ready for
business or any communication from
him. The committee reported that
Governor Evans had said he was
ready to communicate with the body.
The Governors message which is
published elsewhere, was received and
Reading Clerk Withers began it's read.
ing. Most of the members retained
their seats and with copies of the mes
sage closely followed the reading'
, Very few members left the hall and a
great deal of interest was taken in the
D. reading of the document. There were
only two or three matters brought up
this morning; others were headed oil
by the adjournment.
THE SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor Zimmerman
called the Senate to order promptly at
10 o'clock today. The clerk called the
roll and the following absentees were
noted: Senators DuBose, Mauldin,
Kirkland. Stackhouse, Walker, Wat
son and Dennis.
The session was opened with prayer
by the Rev. Mr.. Parrot. .
President Zimmerman announced
10 the Senate that since the last meet.
ing Of this body two vacancies had
occurred. Senator Stranyarne Wilson,
in consequence of his election to Con
gress, had resigned his seat: The
other vancancy was caused by the
death of Senator j. 0. Byrd, OF Flor
ence. Writs of election were issued
and Mr.. E. L. Archer was chosen to
succeed Mr.. Wilson, and Mr.. j.. 4.
Pettigrew to succeed DR.. Byrd.
Those two Senators-elect, were es'
corted to the space in front of the Presl
dents chair by the surgent-at- arms,
and the cath of office was administer
ed. =
At 1925 Private Secretary Guntel
delivered the message of Governol
Evans to the Senate, and the CLERK
Immediately began to read it. '.
A number of old bills that came
over from the last session were indef
initely postponed, anda number OF new
billswere introduced, the most import
ant of which was one to regulate the
suffrage. "., =. ~ -
THE HOUSE. :
Columbia, Jan. 16.-The House oi
Representatives worked along very
smoothly about two hours yesterday
and showed disposition to get dowr
to hard work by meeting an hour ear
lier than is customary at the beginning
of the session. Necessarily most o1
the day was spent in clearing thu
decks for future action and mapping
out future legislation by the introduc
ton of new measures.
After the new bills had been intro
duced the Calendar with the remnant!
of last years legislation was taken up
and most of the bills were Withdrawn
from the files of the House or indefinite
" postponed. The most important bill
introduced today were the proposed
! election law, the anti lynching remed.
change of venue, the code commits
sioner and an insurance bill.
t,..... .. THE SENATE.
The work in the Senate Wednesda.
was of strictly routine nature
When the reading of the Journal ha'
been dispensed with the point wa
raised and supported by Senators Fin
Icy and Buist, that the names OF Sen
ators present on the first day Of tn
Senate should be entered on the Jour
nal. So ordered.
The following concurrent resolu