The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10

had so informed him. They were
threatened with an increase of tax
alton now and it would be most un-
wise to pass this bill.
MIR. Ashley supported this measure.
This was tax, he said, on the agri-
cultural classes only. Georgia farm
ers could purchase fertilizers cheaper.
At Clemson it was not alone the far
mer's son who was educated. The
farmer was the worst imposed upon
and hardest worked man on the face
of the globe today. Clemson was not
q college for the farming class only.
lie did not wish the farmers of Geor-
gia to have any advantage over the
South Carolina farmers.
Mr.. Crum said the object of the tax
was to protect the people from fraud.
This bill would not raise enough to
even pay for the chemicals necessary
for the analyses. He wanted the tax
continued. ). ..
Mr.. lderton was in favor of the
bill and against the privilege tax for
Clemson. He said that the college
should be maintained out of the gen.
eral tax fund.
Mr.. Mauldin was in favor of the
bill. He did not want Clemson sup
ported by one class. He did not wish
the poor woman who ran farm and
who was unable to send her children
to school to pay tax to educate the
sons of men who were able to send
them there. He had respect for all
the States college, but wanted ''spec.
ial privileges to none."
Mr.. Werner wanted to clear up all
doubt as to who paid this tax. The
farmers paid the tax.
Mr.. Blythe called attention to the
fact that a large part OF the fertilizers
was shipped out of the State.
Mr.. Smith of Hampton made his
maiden effort speaking at length and
in an earnest manner. He did not
wish them to forget their promises to
the 'poor old farmer" He wanted
all taxed alike. He could not bear
the idea of having promises made to
farmers only to bs broken. He want
ed them to go ahead and get through.
"Give the poor old farmer a chance.
If you keep him in the harness be-
tween the shafts all the time, apply.
ing the lash he will finally have to
kick and he will kick you all out of
the shafts" E.l~..a..
Mr.. Goodwin of Laurens felt good
just now because he was one of ''the
poor old farmers" so much pitied.
This thing was agitated all over the
State and the tax was voted by large
majorities. The farmers paid it every
cent it was true. Mr.. Goodwin spoke
at some length against the bill. The
hour for adjournment having arrived
the bill went over to be taken up
later. At the. evening session the sail.
ing was smooth until Mr.. Thomas
bill to provide for the return and as.
sessment of property was reached.
After much discussion the bill passed
to third reading. ~. ..
A number of new bills of general
interest was introduced and referred.
tThe most important was the follow
ing:
J. P. Thomas-To amend the law
relating to alien land ownership, so
as to make the limit 5000 instead of
500 acres. ....
Mr.. Reynolds TO amend the gen.
eral statutes so as to allow municipal.
ties to tax railroad side tracks. -
Mr.. Limehouse-To declare the law
as to mileage which is claimed by all
persons entitled'to mileage.
Mr.. Goodwin-To prohibit individ-
hals, factories and corporations to
oblige laborers to work on Sunday,
except on railroads in certain cases,
telegraph and telephone companies,
those handling United States mail and
and drug stores.
The bill to authorize and empower
the sheriff of Williamsburg county to
purchase and keep at the court house
a pair OF bloodhounds for the purpose
of tracking convicts and fugitive law
breakers.
The House then adjourned over 10
Thursday. +
When the House met Thursday Mr..
Winkler moved that hereafter the
House meet in the evening at 8 o'clock.
Mr.. Kinard said as the House had
been there so long and done SO little
he thought it ought to meet at half
past and work until 10. After some
discussion it was decided that the
House meet at 8 o'clock.
Mr.. Rainford's bill to provide COM
pensation for members Of the County
Board of Township Commissioners
passed. The act provides that they
may sit eight days. All members to
receive 81 per day and five cents mile
age. The Chairman to get 81 so per
day when acting as member of Coun-
ty Board.
Mr.. Ashley's privilege tax bill
came up next. As was to be
expected the bill opened the foodgates
of pent up eloquence and it was Liter
ally talked to death. After many
long winded arguments the bill was
killed by vote of II to 35. So the
farmers will still pay 25 cents per ton
royalty on phosphates and the same
will 60 to Clemson College.
The emigrant's agent repeating act
next came up and was disposed of in
short order. 1t was killed by a de.
cisive vote.
Gov. Evans veto message of the
bill to prevent the publication of
County Treasurer's reports came up
as a special order. On q vote the
veto was sustained by vote OF 80
to 8. So in future the reports
of the County Treasurer will have to
be published.