The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-17
The General Assembly.

COLUMBIA. February 9.-Tbe House
to-day struggled with Mr.. Epps's bill.
which proposes short of privilege tax
on cigarests. Mr. Tlderton's bill rela-
tive to graduated hceoses was passed.
after bieng amended 80 as to suit those
opposing it. There was some dicussion
on the bills relative to banking and To-
surance inspector. but it was thought
best to let those interested in these mat
ters consult over the various bills aud
make up bill that would be generally
acceptable.
The Dorchester County proposition
came up this morning on the motion TO
make it the special order tonight. bat
it was decided after debate to let it
come up tomorrow night.
There vas some opposition to the
final passage of Mr.. Johsson's bill
looking to the purchase Of school books
by the couoties, but after a lively de-
bate the bill! was given its third read.
log.
THE SENATE.
The petition>for an appropriation for
the erection of a monument TO the Ca
ta~ba Iodians at Fort Mill came up
with an unfavorable report, and was
BILLED.
A report from the Senate committee
op public buildings. recommending the
appropriation of $3.50 for the purpose
of repairing the Governors Mansion
and erecting new barn on the grounds,
vas put on the Calendar, some Seua-
tors being unwilling to consider so im-
porsant matter without thorough in-
vestigation.
At l2 80 the. Samuel Lore lost bond
bill was called up as the special order
Mr.. Archer moved to strike out the
enacsing words Of the bill
Mr.. Baist asked for the gen,lemau's
reasons for makiog the motion.
Mr.. Archer characterized the Sam
uel Lord memorial as an ex parte pre-
sanitation Of the case, saying that there
was no evideoce from the memorial that
the State asked for any evidence of the
possession Of these bonds. He was
DOT certain that the bonds were destroy.
ed he took the memorial and cri.i-
cised practically every poiut 10 it, say
Jog that ..these fellows" claim every
thing. he said that the bank had es-
tablished its claim, aud said that no
Court 10 the United States would take
the testimony presented and give YER
dict for the bank. He said these peo-
pie shougbt they could pass any kind
Of measure through tbs Senate. He
iotimated that be was not fool enough
to believe that the boads had been de-
stroyed by the Yankees. The claim.
he said, was an insult to the inselli-
geuce of the Senate. Az matter of
course his perorasiou was ECONOMY
and hard times.
At the coaclusion of Mr.. Archer's
address the Senate receded from busi-
ness uutil 8 o'clock tonight.
Wheo the Senate was called to order
tonight Mr.. Gaines. Of Edge6eld, took
the floor TO oppose the Samuel Lord
lost bonds bill. which came over
from the morning session, ss unfinished
business. Mr.. Gaines took the ground
that the bonds might have been lost.
Mr.. Buiss disclaimed all personal iu-
terest in the bill, which he simply re-
garded as valid aud just debt. The
only question was whether the bonds
had been lost This was provided
agaiust, however. by the security Of
fered and the Statute Of Limitations.
The whole matter. be said, was boiled
down iu the memorial. which any can.
did reader would fed to contain posi-
tive proof that none Of the thirty-eigbt
lost bonds bad ever been paid. and the
question was Of depriving q citizen Of
bis rights. when the interest on the
bonds was there waitiog to be paid
oct
Mr.. Deau said that in vestigation had
Strengthened his doubts as to the valid
ity of the claim, which be opposed on
the ground that the proof was lacking.
Mr.. Gaines said that to pay the claim
would be simply to make "these peo-
Pile" donation Of 100000.
Mr.. Ragsdale opposed the bill. say
ing that the Court bad not passed upon
the facts, as they were being consider
ed
Mr.. Henderson, 10 answer to an
argument by Mr.. Dean, said that be
could not hold that because claim bad
been ~,fused by one Legislature it was
res adjudicata. He proceeded to set
forth the proof that the bonds were
lost and urged the point that the Stat
.e T;,n;tot;oce n,otecte3 the State