The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-10


COLUMBIA. February 4-The most
important action of the House to-day
was to kill Mr.. Ashley's bill looking to
the practical repeal Of the privilege tax
on fertilizers. The effort was to reduce
the tax so as to con6oe it to the ex-
penses of analysis. The friends Of
Clemson, however, rallied to its de-
fence. as they fear that it would be
crippled by taking away this source of
revenue, and by vote of II to 35 the
bill was killed. There are several
other bills on the Calendar seeking to
reduce the privilege tag, but to.day's
vote is no doubt indicative of what is to
happen to other such measures
Mr. Anderson, the lone colored mem.
Der. was again unsuccessful 10 his
effort to have the law requiring licenses
Of emigrant agents repealed.
At the night session Mr. Patton. of
Richland, accomplished the unexpected
by having the House, by decisive
vote. refuse to strike out the enacting
words of his redistricting bill He
saved his bill by a most logical and
straightforward argument Of over an
hour, brusbiog aside one objection
after another The House adjourned
before final action, but Mr.. Patton has
shown what logic can do.
Mr.. Raiosford's bill to provide for
the compensation Of mem bers of boards
of township commissioners was 6nally
adopted to-day, fixing the rate Of the
township boards at 81 per day, for got
more than FIVE days, and the chairmen
the same for township work, and while
serving on the county boards 81 so.
not to exceed eight days services.
Mileage is provided for at 5 cents per
mile for not more than 100 miles,
Chester aud Kershaw allowed for
twelve meetings of the county board,
with pay. The bill excited coasidera-
BILE debate early 10 the week.
When the third reading bills we're
reached there was 90 opposition to any
one of the measures. They we're rush
ed through by the mere reading of the
title
Mr.. Ed Smith To ameod certain
sections of the general railroad law
relating to certain offences and penal
ties and insert pew section providing
that any ooe who shoots iuto train or
throws a missile into such train shall be
guilty Of misdemeauor.
Mr.. Wycbe : To authorize county
treasurers TO publish quarterly re-
port of disbursements Of public funds
Mr.. Winkler: To amend statutes
relating to the report of the school CON-
missioner to the Court of Sessions
Mr.. 3. B. McWbite: To amend the
County Government Act SO as to pro-
vile fer two additional members for the
board OF township commissioners while
acting as appraisers ir Florence.
Mr. Ilderton : To establish bureau
of labor for the purpose of gathering
labor statistics aud inspecting weights
and measures. The bill merely pro-
vides for com missioner to gather sta
tistics.
Quite oumber CT new bills we're
offered to-day, among them being
By the pension committe To amend
the law relating to pensions. The bill
proposes the election of township
boards of three members by the Con-
federate veterans The chairmen of
each board meet then aud elect coun
ty board. composed of four of their
own members and ore ph ysician. The
other features of the present Law are lett
about the same.
Mr. Pollock: To Incorporate the
Atlantic Coast Linc Railroad Company
@: South Carolina, aud to authorize the
CONSOLIDATION Of certain railroads under
that name.
Mr. Reynolds: To provide for and
regulate the public printing of South
Carolina. This bill provides for the
letting Of the public printing in public
competition The lowest bidder to get
the work and give bond for it. The
law does not interfere With |