Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-05
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Synopsis of Daily Proceedings OF House
and Senate.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY |.

lenStny ulSCuSSiou oFei 'h0 PioPoSi'
rion to submit to the people the ques-
ton of amending the constitution so as
to provide for biennial sessions Of the
general assembly.
Senator Norris was in favor of bien-
nial sessions. He said it was poor
law that would not stand the test of
two wears, and cited the fact that
there are only six states in the Union
the legislators of which meet every
year, and he thought that the change
would save TO the taxpayers some
thing like $4,000 per annum.
Senator Hay was opposed to inter-
ferring with the work of the recent
constitutional convention so soon after
the adjournment Of that body. He
thought it would be better to wait a
while.
Senator Archer agreed with Sena-
tor Norris. He thought it would be
better to have elections only every four
wears, and still better, to have them
every six years.
Senator Moses could not see any ad-
vantage in the change. He thought
that members would increase their
paw aud sit longer under the two-year
plan than under the present arrange
ment, and that it would be just as
we'll to let matters remain as they are.
Senator Buist thought that all nec-
essary legislation could easily be en-
acted in 40 days of every alternate
year.
A number of other senators spoke
for and against the proposition with
the result that upon a vote, there were
90 ayes and Is nays. Senators Love
aud Mcdaniel voted for biennial ses-
sions. Senator Jefferies voted for the
present status. A two-thirds majority,
however, was necessary for the reso-
luton to carry.
Senator Griffith insisted on the con.
sideration of his resolution providing
for adjournment on February IL. At
ter some debate, it was decided to
adjourn on February 16.
The next debate was on the wide
tire bill, the provisions of which have
already been published in full. Sena-
tor Dean moved the indefinite post
ponement of the bill.
Senator Mauldin stated that he had
been in the lumber business for 26
years. At first he used tires only 2
inches wide. Afterward he was forced
to use broader tires until now he had
gotten up to 6 inches. He found wide
tires to be of lighter draught than the
narrow tires, and was of opinion that
the bill was good one.
Senator Mayfeld was in favor of the
bill in so far as it prohibited the i'm
portation of narrow tires but at the
same time he did not think that poor
people should be forced to the change
at an expense Of something like one
third the cost of their rolling stock.
The heaviest tax today, he declared,
was not that paid to state and county !;
but that which is paid on broken down
rolling stock.
Senator Gaines said he proposed to
amend the bill so it would not apply
to pleasure vehicles or to wagons
driven into this from other states.
What public sentiment was with re-
gard to the law, he did not know ; but
as it did not 60 into effect for two
years yet, he thought that if the
people were opposed to it, they could
have it repealed. At any rate, how.
ever, the agitation at this time would
do good.
Senator Ragsdale was opposed to
the bill. He did not think that the
general assembly had any more right
to prescribe the kind of tires that
should be used, than it had to pre-
scribe the kind of stock to draw the
wagons, etc.
Senator Dean estimated that the
change from narrow to wide tires
would cost the state between S2OJ, 900
aud $5O0,0OO. Many wagons he said
were used for % years.
Senator Archer said that wagons
which lasted 25 years might very well
be exempted from the provisions OF
the bill, as they were under sheds most
of the time and did not cut up the
roads much anyway.
The motion to indefinitely postpone
was lost, 81 to II. Senators Love and
Mcdaniel voted with the majority !;
Senator Jefferies with the minority.
In THE HoUsE.-This was the last
day for the introduction of new bills.
Among the new bills introduced
was one prohibiting the secretary OF
state from allowing the use of the hall
of the house of representatives or
senate chamber for dancing purposes.
Mr.. Ilderton introduced bill to re-
quire railroads, steamboats,, ferryboats
and flats and other common carriers
of passengers to transport state and
county officers and members of the
general assembly free of charge, while
GU official duty, and to abolish mileage
fees in such cases. The bill also pro-
vides for such transportation of prison
ers while under arrest and in charge
of an officer. Certificates from the
clerks of court for county officers, the
secretary of state for state officers,
and the warrant for officers and pris.