The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1897-02-10
legislative Proceedings.

L uS pkCoCAS 49,
the subject of much adverse crltl-
cism from press and people on &C
count of the seemingly small amount
of actual work since it has been IN
session. To one who has not watched
closely the work done it appears that
but very little has been accomplished,
vet when we review the whole ses-
sion the astonishing factis developed
that as much work has been done at
this session as any previous Legisla
ture in the same length OF time.
True a great deal of the work has
been of loca. nature, yet 1t was just
such work that had to be done. and
it is now out of the way and the
Legislature can devote its undivided
attention to business of general
nature.
In making out our report OF the
Legislature, we have not mentioned
all of the matters considered by THAI
body but only such as is Of general
interest to our readers.
The House has effectually killed
Mr. Ashley's privilege tax reduction
bill which insures the payment OF
this tax to Clemson College again.
The following bills were read the
third time: Bill providing punish
ment for laborerers who violate either
written or verbal contracts after hav-
ing received supplies from bis lard
lord; bill to regulate the appoint
ment of receivers by the courts of
this State in causes therein; bill to
further provide for the return and
assessment of property for taxation.
The laborers contract bill reads:
Section l. That any laborer work
ing on shares of crop or for wages in
money or other valuable considera-
ton under a verbal or written con-
tract to labor on farm lands, who
shall receive advances either in money
or supplies and thereafter willfully
and without just cause fail to per-
form the reasonable service required
of him by the terms Of the said con-
trsct, shall be liable to prosecution
for misdemeanor, and on convic-
ton shall be punished for not less
20 days nor more than 80 days, or
to be fined in the sum of not less
than S25 nor more than $50, in the
discretion of the court.
Mr.. Rainsford's bill to provide
compensation for members Of the
County Board of Township Comnis-
sioners and chairmen while sitting as
members, was passed. The Act
provides that they may sit eight
days. All members get 81 per day
and FIVE cents mileage. Chairmen,
when acting as members of County
! Boards, viii receive $3.50.
Soy. Evans, Isto message. of the
I.,,is I.bisess Fsveks TIE patbiificatl0n 81
of County Treasurers' reports came
up as special order, and the veto
was sustained by vote Of 81 to 3.
The House bill, to require clerks,
sheriffs, &C., to keep an itemized
statement of their income from fees,
was amended so as to except Barn.
we'll, Berkeley, Sumter, Lexington
and Newberry, and was passed to a
third reading.
MIR. Patton's redistricting bill came
up again on Friday for further con-
sideration and was finally continued
to the next session.
During the day the substitute for
the insurance deposit bill passed.
Mr.. Banks introduced a bill to
abolish the office of County Boards
of Control and chief constables and
State constables and devolve their
duties upon other officers, and pro
vide for the election of State COM
missioner and county dispensers.
The duties of county boards are de-
volved upon the boards of county
commissioners, who shall be elected
by the people. The State commits
sioner is to be elected by the people
as any other State officer.
Mr.. Owens bill to license the car
rying of pistols was reported un-
favorable.
Mr.. Rainford's township commits
sioners' compensation bill passed its
final reading in the Senate without
debate.
Mr.. Mishoe's bill to amend section
las of Revised Statutes so as to give
magistrates jurisdiction when the
amount in question or damages are
under $40 was passed.
Mr. Wingo's bill to require the
commutation tax to be expended in
the townships in which the taxpayer
resides was ordered to a third read
ing without debate.