The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-02-12
The General Assembly,.
Columbia Slate, Feb. 10.

and gone. And so Tar the controlling
spirits Of that body have seemed to be
the 'syaller dog and the ''poor white
man." The first was the controlling
spirit of the first fortnight, but, though
attacks were made upon him, he proved
to be perfectly able to discomfort his
enemies with n or two yelps. The
poor white mantle representative of
that class Of citizens to whom most Of US
belong, but who seems to be an all-pow-
erful, and, as it were, unseen and vapor-
GUS being, created only for use in tegis-
lative debates-seems to be less fortu-
nate. Judging from the endless offers
that have been made during the past
fortnight by the members to act as guar
dams of his interests, n would be forced
TO the conclusion that he needs protec-
ton as we'll as free trade. He'hss taken
his share in nearly every debate of the
past week, and his condition of utter
helplessness has been most forclbly por-
trayed. In the meantime he has in real
life been rocking along smoothly sDd
harmonlously at home, filling the soil
and pursuing the other wage-earning
avocations, seemingly unmindful of the
mental wear and tear he has caused
those who HAYS been go solicitious for his
welfare.
But to be more serious, already the
General Assembly has consumed the
usual time given to an annual session,
and as yet practically nothing has been
done in the way Of making the new
statute laws contemplated by the Con-
stitution. Only a few Of the general bills
provided for have been passed in either
House. The lower House of the General
Assembly accomplished very little until
it Jumped upon its calendar on Friday
morning last and started the Legislative
grist mill to running in a manner that
was calculated to surpass the action Of
Calling gun. There were at that. time
considerably over hundred billson the
calendar. But the number has been
somewhat reduced. The Senate has been
keeping up with its work very well, and
during the past week he's completed the
consideration of the general bills relating
TO the public school fund, the psnsions
and to the corporations Of the State.
In tho House, n Of the leaqing5ea-
lures of the week has BEEN the Tegisla-
ton against the railrosds, the nature OF
which is entirely familiar to the readers
of the State. One wa the forfeiture OF
the charter bill, providing for such for
textures in case Of the failure of the roads
to put in operation a rate fixed by the
State commission. Then there was the
bill reducing the passenger rates; and
The Senate has already put the lightio OF
one Of these bills out.
The Senate committee or railroads,
which has the other in charge, will give
the railroad men q hearipg3this week-at
4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon.
Another feature of the past weeks
work was the adoption Of the resolution
providing for the appointment OF an in
~veBtigating committee to look into the
matter OF the securing Of the greater por-
ton Of the roads Of the State by the
Southern railway system.
Speakingof Investigations 1t is as well
to mention that the joint committee ap-
pointed to look into the affairs Of Glenn
SON College has been at the institution for
several days.
AN investigating committee was ap-
pointed during the past week, too, ito
look into the very important matter:of
the cost Of the public printing of the
State. jPendipt this committees report,
the House refused 10 proceed with the
election Of q public printer last week.
It's understood. that q reduction of the
prices to be paid for the public printing
is pretty certain to be made. tits equally
as certain that an J Iteresting fight win be
made when the election comes of for a
public printer. Considerable attention is
being directedto the question Of the cost
of. the public printing.
The House did the graceful thing on
Thursday when it declared that only wo-
lnen should be employed % clerks in the
e%ngrossing department. Now the matter
is in the hands Of the free conference COM
mittee.
Another matter that the House did Last
week, causing much discussion, was the
adoption of the frss tuition bill, putting
property and money qualifications In to
neet the beneficiary scholarships in the
Citadel.
This week the House will take Up on
Tuesday morning, all the bills bearing on
the subject of the elective franchise.
The most important matter brought be-
fore the General Assembly last week was
the annual appropriation bill, which has
been made the special order for to-day
and from day to day until disposed OF.
The features Of the bill have already been
given in the State.
The matter that concerns the tax pay
ing people Of South Carolina more than
anything else, however, is the supply
bill. This bill has not yet been intro
:duced by the committee on ways and
q because it is awaiting the action
of the General Assembly on the bill re-
,lating to the utilization OF the nnearnsd
profits in the general fund of the State.
This bill will doubtless pass, in which
case the annual levy for the fiscal year
will be only II mills. IF the billdoes not
pass the levy will be about st mills.
There have been two income tax bills
introduced, but both are still in the hands
of the committees. It Is not likely that
either o fthem will get through, 30 there
will be no necessity forsuch o tax, though
the levy be at the figures given above.
Mr.. L. s. ConHor's bill &c abolish the
privilege tax on fertilizers, which the
farmers have been paying heretofore, and
the proceeds of which are devoted to
Clemson College, has been partially dis
cussed. It row provides that a tax OF
I-2 Of per cent. on the actual market
value of every ton of fertilizers sold, to be
paid by tho manufacturer, the proceeds
TO go TO the maintenance Of the agricul-
tural station, and the making ofthe analy-
ses. If the bill passes, Clemson will have
to beprovided for by direct appropriation
from. the treasury.
One of the radical and rather dangerous
measures to pass the lower House was
the bill to allow the State treasurer to
loan out the State sinking fund, which is
pledged as security for the State bonds.
There are at the opening of the fifth
weeks work some 20 or more bills
and joint resolutions awaiting q second
reading on the calendar of the House.
The committee still has the bill provid-
ing for the redistricting of the State into
judicial circuits under consideration.
The majority Of the members Of the COM
mittee favor the bill. 1t will be reported
early this week and will likely be acted
on With the least possible delay. It is 8
question whether the bill will pass the
House OF not.
So far, very little has been said about
a bill has been introduced by Senator
Mayfeld relating to the metropolitan Po-
lice act, and in both Houses the bill has
been introduced and referred to the prop
or committees providing for the abolition
of the profit feature and the sale of liquor
as q beverage.
But that has been all, 80 far. To-day,
Governor Evans will transmit to the Cen
eral Assembly his promised special mes
sage dealing with the ~dispensary business
in all its phases. The message is quite q
lengthy one, but will be read with gen.
eral interest.
Agreat deal is being said about the FIX
ing Of a day for the final adjournment OF
the body. The members who are mind
full of public sentiment realize that the
session should not continue indefinitely.
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