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

the last Gay tor the lner0ductlon OF
new bills in the house, and several
were introduced. The most important
we're:
Mr.. Bsnks-To abolish the Of of
county boards of control and chief co.,
stables and State constables ard de-
volve their duties upon other officers,
and provide lor the election ce State
commissioner snd county dispensers
The duties Of county boards Of control
are devolved upon the boards Of county
commissioners, who shall be elected by
the people. The State Commissioners is
to be elected by the people as any other
State officer.
Mr.. Ilderton-To regulate the diet
of convicts sentenced to work on the
chain gangs Of the State.
Mr.. Laucaster-To establish the
Office of State geologist aud provide
for mineralogical and geological sur.
veys.
Mr.. Winkler-To provide for the
payment of expenses of new couty elec-
sioDs held or to he holden.
The KILLER labor commissioner bill
aud all other labor bills we're uufavor
ebly reported by the committees and
were killed.
The insurance deposit bill passed to
a third reading.
The Patton redistricting bill was
called up for further consideration and
"a lively discussion ensued. 1t was
fnaily postponed until next session
The disposition is to let the matter 60
before the people for discussion.
The bill to increase the pay Of wit
nesses to 81 per day vas killed.
Al the night session much progress
ass made 10 clearing the calendar and
number of new bills were introduced.
One of than, joint resolution offer
ed BY Mr.. Gage, was one Of the most
far-reaching aud important yet present.
ed. 1t is directed at the enforcement
of mandatory provision Of the new
Constitution, which will cost the State
500. 900 and more.
This resolution directs the comptrol-
sler general to levy tax on the proper.
ty of the State sufficient to realize the
sum Of $92 07U IL. to be held aud
used as the supplementary school tax"
provided for 10 the new Constitution.
TIE resolution sets forth that the re-
port of the superintendent Of education
shows that on Oct. 81. 1895. there
we're enrolled only 223.021 pupils, and
that S669. .o6S should have been the
total fund.
The resolution concludes as follows !:
and whereas, the 8 mill tax levied
for the year 1896 yielded only the sum
Of 1888. .322. IA, aud the poll tax for
the same year yielded only s13S.67o.-
~, aggregatiog the sun of S476.992.-
88, to be expended for the public
schools of the State:
And whereas. 30 money from the
sale of liquor has been turned into the
treasury for school purposes !; and,
whereas, the aggregate sum realized
from the 8 mill tax aud the poll tax
does not yield S. per capita for the
children of the State enrolled in the
nnhlic schools on 31ss Oe.ober. 1895
by s92,07o.12; be it
s.Resolved by the general assembly
of the State Of South Carolina, that
the comptroller general be, and he is
hereby directed to forthwith levy tax
on the property of the State sufficient
70 realize sum equal to $4,000 IL.
and to De held and used for the supple
meptary school tax provided in the
Constitution
It is seid that the comptroller has re-
fused to make this levy. and the resolu-
ton is to force him to carry out tie
mandate of the Constitution.
The committee presented substitute
bill for the original bill establishing
Dorchester County.
The unfavorable report on Salem
County was adopted.
The Bamberg County bill was order
ed to third reading.
Mr.. Bacot introduced joint resolu-
ton for the payment of Judgment o!
$4,000 obtained by ADauia Cautiui
against T. G. Gaillsrd, c B. Swan,
r. 81. Pepper, G. B Mcdonald. State
eonstables The case has been carried
up to the court of appeals and the judg
mens against the constables sill stands
The money cannot be recovered from
them aDd the proposition in the resolu-
tion is to require the State to pay it. i;
being couteuded that the uen we're act.
ing as State officers.
Mr.. Winkler's bill to amend the Law
relating to costs created some debate.
Mr.. Stevenson opposed the bill Mr..
John 2. Thomas was ip favor Of the
bill. Mr. Winkler then defended bis
Il