The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-20
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
MET IN ANNUAL SESSION ON TUES
DAY OF LAST WEEK.

DAY OF LAS WEEk.
The Els ction Of Officers in the House and
Senate tho Most Important Work Done
ON the First Day of the Session.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Jan. l3.-Ihe
General Assembly Of South Carolina
con vened in annual session yesterday
at 12 o'clock.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
Promptly at - o'clock Clerk Gray,
clad in his official robes, stepped up 10
the speakers desk and called the house
TO order. When the house had been
called to order Mr.. B B. McWhlte
moved Mr.. o. w. Garris for temporary
chairman. Mr.. Garris thanked lhe
house for the honor conferred upon
him, and proceeded to say that ne
would leave all matters relating to the
affairs of the State for the permanent
officers.
The roll was called by counties and
all the members were sworn IN, taxing
the oath in front of the speakers stand,
the Temporary speaker administering
The oath. The members all took the
oath with hands raised and completed
the act by kissing cheap, cloth bound
Bible. which was small and easy TO
handle. Each member, after taking
the oath. went up on the stand and
signed the roll. Considering the fact
that it was the first day of the session,
the number of absentes was very small
Hon. Frank B. Gary was unanimous.
" re elected Speaker. On motion OF
Mr.. Winkler committee consisting
of Messrs Winkler. Rainsford and
Bacot was appointed to wait on Mr..
Gary and inform him CT his election.
This committee soon returned with
him. Mr.. Gary on reaching the stand
was sworn in. the members standing
meanwhile. On taking the chair, be-
inc presented by Mr.. Garris, he pro-
ceeded to thank the members. he SAID
he esteemed it a high honor 10 preside
over legislative body in South Caro-
lima. When he thought OF those who
had presided over the house IN the
mast he felt that the members had
mada a mistake in electing him. How
ever. he would know no party or fac
tion. He would be the speaker OF the
house of representatives and with their
cooperation he hoped that the busl-
ness of the house would not suffer
he again thanked them for The high
honor paid him.
The election of clerk was then en-
tered into. Mr.. Sturkie in pleasing
terms nominated Gen. J. Walter Gray
of Greenville. 1t was seconded by Mr..
Magill.
Mr.. Haselden rose to nominate a
man whose qualifications could not be
challenged-Mr. Jesse L. CAN'T.
Mr.. Blythe then in appropriate lam
quape nominated Mr.. j. Tom Austin,
who had served three terms in the
house, one in the senate and was a
member of the Constitutional conven-
ton.
Messrs. Crum, Haselden and de-
Loach were appointed as tellers. The
vote resulted as follows: -
CAN'T. tt.....,...........' 10
GRAY y................~- .....s...s %
Austin. ..............s.
Total vote cast. ...lli
Gen. Gray was then declared elected
and sworn in. :, u
Mr.. Burns nominated Mr.. N. H.
StanseQ as sergeant. at arms. MI.
Cauphman nominated MIR. S. G. Hol-
lev of Saluda. Mr.. McG. Simpklns
seconded the nomination in a speech
highly eulogistic of Mr.. Holley, who
is q Confederate veteran. Mr.. Crum
then seconded the nomination OF Mr..
Stansell, referring to his excellent
record.
Messrs. Rainsford, Childsand Burns
were The tellers. The vote resulted: !:
Holley 25, Stansell 81; total vote cast
112. Mr.. Stansell was declared elected
and sworn in.
For reading clerk Mr.. Crum nomi'
mated the man with voice that few
men had," Mr.. J. S. Withers, The for
mer reading clerk. Messls. Graham,
Townsend and Perritt were appointed
teilers. Mr.. Withers received 1OS
votes. all those cast, ard was sworn
In.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Garris
was adopted, that a com mittee be sent
to notify Governor Evans that this
body was ready to receive any COM
munication lie might have to make.
Messrs. Garris, Sturkie and Pollock
were appointed. The committee at
once retired.
MIR. Goodwin moved that the rules
of the old house be adopted for this
house.
Mr.. Meares wanted rule 81 except
ed as this was the only legislative
body that was accustomed to seating
of members by delegations. He
thought that it was for the best inter
ests of legislation that the members BE-
seated separately. 1t would prevent
sectionalism.
Mr.. Goodwin differed with Mr..
Meares. He said it was the best ad
vantage of the house to have the mem
bers seated by delegations.
Mr.. Meares' amendment was killed
and the old rules were adopted, 300
copies of the rules being ordered print
ed.
Mr.. Sturkie offered resolution re
quiripg all members to stand outside
the rail while the seats were being
drawn. This was adopted.
The house, on motion of Mr.. XII
nard, under the new act, proceeded tc
elect a chaplain. The Rev. J. @. Alb
ney was nominated by Mr.. MEG
d II..n~l