The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-02-08
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGs.
Somo OF the Things That Engage the
Attention OF the Solons Of South
Carolina.

Carolina.
The privilege tax on fertilizers ha
occupied u considerable share of atten
tion, and the following debate will
prove interesting
Mr.. E6rd's bill to divide the privilege
tax on fertilizers between the Clemson
Agricultural and Winthrop Norma
College was taken up, and Mr.. Efrt
proposed an amendment that the irs,
$4,000 go to Clemson, the remainder
TO Winthrop, and IL the remainder
should not be $50, 900 1t should be cup.
plemented by direct appropriation, SC
as to make 1T $4,000 for Winthrop.
! He said that this was on the line OF
| economy. 1t promised much. Every
| one was proud Of those two colleges.
The founders OF Clemson said that in
stitution could be run on the privilege
tax. He was proud of these two in
stitutions, but he did want to see both
placed above coming to tho Assembly
every year asking for help. Unless
appropriations are cut off, these col
leges will have to go into politics.
Winthrop only asks for 800, 900 and the
usual amount for scholarships. All
that Winthrop asks for is given. The
privilege tax may not reach $50, 900,
but nothing Is lost uy the bill. The
privilege tax will average from $50
900 to $50, ,0v0. The more it makes viii
reduce the appropriation to Winthrop
Clemson should not gobble up all the
tax. The privilege tax is right and
should stand, and he did not favor any
reduction in the tax. The bill pro-
poses putting the two institutions above
political fights.
Mr.. Lotion favored leaving matters
alone and opposed the resolution. Mr..
Kibler said Clemson did not need as
much money as heretofore. The only
question Is, what Ia to be done with
tne tax? Clemson last year received
from all sources between $85, 900 and
500, 600. He did not know how the
College could spend that much money.
The College has magnificent equip
meut and all that should te appro-
priatod was enough to properly run the
College. 10 pass this bill will put the
House on the line Of economy.
Mr.. Thomas, of Charleston, said the
farmer paid the tax and it was unfair
to take the farmers tax and support
Winthrop with it. II you are going to
take the farmers money it should go
to the farmers College. They should
have what lie their own.
Mr. Efrd said that he was advised
that rs per cent Of the boys at Glenn
son were not farmers sons.
MIR. Toole proposed thst one-half OF
the fund go to the public school fund
and the remainder TO Clemson.
Mr.. 81. J. Kinard favored this bill.
He had been to Clemson twice. He
had always stood for Clemson. Unless
they put stop to expenditures there
the College would become burden to
the Taxpayers. In some departments
economy could be praoticed. He cited
instances in one or two departments
iron in the forges and throwing it
away when worked, rather than max
ing 1t into salable stuff. The common
schools got the dispensary profits and
mills besides, and did not need any
more.
Mr.. Ashley said that Clemson and
Rock Hill got from 5000 to $500 head,
and the barefoot boys got 80 u head.
1t was very different here and on the
stump. He hoped the House would
show some sympathy for the poor boy.
Half ought to 60 back to where it came
from. He wanted to know who repre-
sented the poor boy. He wanted to
see him protected. He was raised
poor boy, and he know what he had to
stand. The thing to do Ia to educate
the boy, and let him become an edu-
Gated voter. Let the whole fund 60 to
the public schools.
Mr.. o. p. Goodwin said the bill
should be killed. The intention has
always been for this fund to 90 TO
Clemson.
DR.. Ilderton favored the division.
One we'll educated girl was worth half
u dozen. South Carolina is becoming
Top heavy, and the sooner Winthrop
Is removed from politics the better 1t
will be. Clemson has everything 1t
wants. What is the use to keep on
pouring money into their laps? He
denied that the fund belonged to Glenn
son. The fund belonged to the people
who paid 1t. Clemson Ia no more en-
titled to this fund than Winthrop. II
it belongs to the farmers exclusively
why not let it go to the public schools?
Mr.. TOOle proposed that the money
go between the public school fund and
Clemson.
Mr.. Efrd's amendment was then
voted on and agreed to by vote Of
43 to %, to give $50, 900 to Clemson and
AZ much to Winthrop, and II not made
up to make 1t up from the treasury.
Mr.. Meares said that the Courts held
as q common fund for Government ex-
penses. The tax was to 60 to the agri-
cultural department.. but the tax can
not be used to support any college or
institution In the State. II the fund
could be diverted, MIR. Meares said,
the fund could go to Clemson for the
chemists, and by indirection to the
support OF the College.
THE WEE TIRE BILL.
Mr.. Gaines bill to regulate the width
Of the tires OF vehicles was considered
next.
Senator Mauldin thought the bill was
q good One. He said he had perhaps
more experience In the matter OF
good roads than any other Senator.
Senator Maytield WAS opposed to the
feature OF the bill compelling the poor
man 70 put broad tires on the wagons
now In his possession entsiling extra
expense. With this exception he IA.
vored the bill. He thought broad
| tires were q great deal better for upper
and lower Carolina. He referred t.
the splendid roads OF Pickens County
and thought 1t was practicable for the
whole State to enjoy roads as good as
those In Pickens. He did not think
the good roads OF the State should be
cut up by narrow ties II Legislation car
prevent it..
Senator Gaines introduced an amend
ment TO exempt pleasure vehicles, AND
called attention to the fact that II
would be nearly two years. before the
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