The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-22
A GLANCE AROUND,
SOME INTERESTING LEGISLATIVE Az
.,H TETMATH.
What Was Done at tho Recent Session.
. susGestions About the Coming
campaign.

Columbia,S. G., Feb. 19-The sos =
sion of the Legislature which has
just adjourned has been remarkable
for one thing-it has done literally
nothing. In this it's record 's cleaner
than tho record Of the session pre-.
ceding it. This is not because the
members of tho body did not do
their duty, for they were as earnest
and conscientious body as was ever
gathered. They tried to do q great
deal, and the most interesting his
tory of the session in the measures
it buried. This is due to several
causes, partly because Of the oonsti-
tutional restrictions on special legis-
lation, but mainly to the fact that
there was an uncertainty as to the
temper of the people and a jeeling,
whether conscious or unconscious,
that there exists in the minds of the
people determination to shake out
tho dico.box and call for q new deal
all round, and desire to be heard
from on many subjects that noed
strong and sometimes radical legis-
lation. It seemed best to the Nom.
bers of this body to let things re-
main in statu quo until the sovereign
ty of the nation could speak.
There has also been a sentiment
rapidly gaining strength to change
the order of things so that the Legis-
lature would moot every two yoars
instead of every year, and the peo-
pie will probably be heard from on
this matter soon. Tho Legislature
is one Of the heaviest expenses Of
the State government, and in the in
tersst of economy many urge this
plan, and really there seems but lit
tie use for annual sessions; for there
is now 20 little 10 be done on account
Of the restrictions Of the now consti-
Su ION.
One thing that has been remarka-
bic about the session just closed is
t 20 nm..ber of charters issued to
rye enterprises, railroads and the
like, which shows particularly
h 'althy condition of financial affairs
IN the State and speaks we'll for
South Curolina's march of progress.
In spite of great opposition there
has been considerable tinkering at
the county government law. But
there has been shown a considerable
effort from all quarters to get the ad-
m nistration of our internal Affairs
on an economic basis.
Among the bills Of general import
ance passed was one bringing foreign
building and loan associations under
the provisions of our State laws as
to usury, which will prove blessing
to many.
The "Jim Crow car bill succeed
ed at last in getting through, after
much stubborn opposition,
The manufacture or distlllation Of
liquors is forbidden within two miles
of church or public school.
The Ashley fertilizer bill gives
South Carolina companies a hard hit.
It provides a new system of grading
goods, the first grade containing
mos ,phosphoric acid than our, rock
can protsa!;aseee. Lee county is the
sehildsof this sSsssion. South Carolina
nov honors the%fve great partisan
leaders in the revolution in her conn
55t ysnames; Sumter, &1srion, Pickens,
8LssSand Horny.
Another bill of general iAterest is
one making it misdemeanofs " beat
~ b5ard at hotel or boarding hots4se.
fhe greatest interest has Eeen
manifested throughout the session En
Atle coming campaign. There werS
80 ate makers galore around the capi.
u u, but they labored in vain. Poll.
tics arc in such a condition Of chaos
Athat 1T is next to impossible to form
"A ring. The people seem to have
ained thing or two about rings
and they don't fancy the dose par
ticnlarly. Tbere has been great
b eaking away from old lines, and
tn ugh the factional leaders who
hive profited so greatly by factional
Nd sensions have made noble efforts
mobilize their forces, they might
IA wolEhave devoted their attention