The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-11


strike out tho enaoting words. MIR.
3lythe spoke earnestly In bohalf OF tho
Tow old soldiers who woro forced to
pcddlo.
Mr. Meares said no would DO tho last
70 40 anything against tho Veterans;
the whole trouble was that the bill was
clearly unconstitutional in that IT dis.
criminated In favor Of one class OF
citizons only.
Mr.. Simpkins did not intend to make
anything like u patriotic address, but
he did say that it was a duty that tho
House owed the old Confederate SOL
diers. Put the law on tho books and
he ventured to say that mono wouldovcr
be found to have the law tested in tho
courts. Uo know that there wore old
veterans who would engage in this
business.
MIR. Winkler defended his bill ear.
nestly. He had not expected that
there would be debate on this measure.
Tho judiciary committee thought it
was a constitutional measure.
Mr.. Wilson said he wished to see tho
enacting words stricken out. He was
an old soldier; he had proven his love
for his fellow veterans in many in
this exemption.
| After speech by Mr.. McWhito, the
| House refused to strike out the enact.
ing words. The bill finally passed in
this shape:
| Section /. That any person who was
bona fide soldier Or sailor in the SER
vice OF the State of South Carolina or
OF the Confederate States in the war
between the States may expose for salo
or sell, as hawker or pcddler, any
goods, wares or merchandise in any
county in this State, without taking out
the license required by chapter XLIII,
volume |, Revised Statutes, 1893,
OF Sooth Carolina; provided, Ee make
to the clerk of the court of common
pleas of the county in which such goods
are to be sold satisfactory proof that
he was such soldier or sailor.
THE PRIVILEGE TAX.
Mr.. Ashley's bill reducing the privi-
lege tax on fertilizers from 25 to cent
, per ton was then called up, being a
special order.
Mr.. McWhite moved to strike out
the enacting words of the bill.
MIR. Blythe was against the bill. He
detailed the many reasons why this
tax should be retained. Clemson only
asked to he allowed to continue to re-
celve this tax and wanted no other ap-
preparation. The question as to the
amount and disposition of this tax had
been settled in 1890. Before Clemson
took charge of this tax it really amount
cd to nothing. 1t went to support tho
farmers college. He quoted the figures
showing a largo increase. He made
quito an earnest argument. TO take
away this tax from Clemson would
throw the college back into politics.
He doubted If the farmers paid the tax
When 1T was put on it did not increase
tho cost per ton Of fertilizers. At least
farmers had so informed him. They
were threatend with an increase of
taxation now and it would be most un-
wise to pass this bill.
MIR. Ashley supported his measure.
This was tax, he said, on the agri-
cultural classes only. Georgia farm
ors could purchase fertilizers cheaper.
at Clemson it was not alone the farm
er'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 a
| college for the farming class only. He
did not wish the farmers Of Georgia to
have any advantage over the South
Carolina farmers.
Mr.. Crum said tho object of the tax
was to protect the people from fraud.
Th bill would not raise enough to
even pay for the chemicals necessary
for tho analyses. He wanted the tax
continued.
T Mr.. llderton was in favor Of the bill
and against the privilege tax for Glenn
son. Ho said that the college should
be maintained out of the general tax
fund.
MIR. Mauldin was in favor of the bill
n hxy
ono class. He did not wish tho poor
woman who ran a 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 State colleges
but he wanted Especial privileges tc
none"
Mr.. Werner wanted to clear up al
doubt as to who paid this tax. The
farmers paid the tax.
Mr.. Blythe called attention to the
TACT that largo part Of tho fertilizer
was shipped out Of the State.
Both Messrs. Mauldin and Werner
made excellent speeches.
Mr.lSmith, OF Hampton, made hi
maiden effort speaking at length ant
in an earnest manner. Ho did no
wish them to forget their promises tt
the poor old farmer" He wanted al
taxed alike. He could not bear the
idea OF having promises made to farm
ers only to be broken. Ho wanted
them to go ahead and get through
:" Give the poor old farmer chance
II you keep him in the harness between
the shafts all the time, applying the
lash he will finally have to kick and
he will kick you all out Of the shafts.
Mr.. Goodwin, of Laurens, felt good
just now because he was one Of "the
poor old farmers" 80 much pitied
This thing was agitated oil over the
State and the tax was voted by large
| ma jorities. The farmer paid 1t every
| cent 1t was true. Mr.. Goodwin spoke
at some length against the bill.
AT II O'Clock Mr.. Ashley's bill to re.
| duce the privilege tax was again taken
up, in the hope of final settlement.
Mr.. Goodwin, { Laurens, resumed
his argument a..L atld tbs. ia MIX"
u direct appr 'pri&tion for Clemson
would bo to cripple Clemson. re
cripple one OF the higher educational
institutions would be to cripple them