The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-26
A. LEGISLATIVE REVIEW.
A Review OF What has been Done to
Date.
CoIum6in Register. Ian. "a.

that about rs much has been accom-
plished for the interest of the State
by what it has refused to do as what
it has done.
There is perhaps as much wisdom
in killing certain proposed legislation
as there is in passing new bills. One
or the other of the Houses during the
past week has laid low several mat
ters which have been much discussed.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Rainsford
to elect Judges by popular vote, was
measure which had many friends,
and it was thought that it would pass
easily. But there was some unex-
pected opposition to it, and after a
thorough discussion, the bill was
killed. All the lawyer members who
discussed the bill opposed it.
Mr.. Patton rcdistricting bill met
the same fate. This measure had
gained many friends, and it was
thought that the House would adopt it
by good majority Itpossibly would
have done so had not discussion Of it
been brought up. The friends of the
present Congressmcn felt that posi-
bly, the passage Of the bill might re-
tire some Of them, and they rallied
against its passage. The bill will
come up again through its introduc-
tion in the Senate, and the author Of
it still has hopes Of its final passage.
Another matter of prime Importance
which was killed, was Mr.. McCul-
lough's mortgage tax bill. The pas
sage of this measure would have ma
terially increased the revenues Of the
State, but there were other features to
be considered which induced the
House to kill it. Mr.. Mccullough
made very able argument in support
of the measure.
The House adopted the measure in
troduced by Mr.. DcLoach. placing
telegraph, express and telephone COM
panies under the control and super
vision of the railroad commission.
The bill was once defeated in the
Senate and the prospects are that it
will meet the same fate when it again
reaches that body.
Although the House passed reso-
luton to have night sessions, none
have yet been held. The Senate has
held one. The indications are that
the short session people are in large
majority, but it can hardly be pre-
dicted when adjournment will be had.
Mr.. Gasque has resolution intro
duccd providing for adjournment Feb
ruary 90, but it has not yet been dis
cussed. 1t comes up as special
order to-day.
1t is not likely that the discussion
of the dispcnsary bill will consume
much time, for the Attorney General,
at the request of the special commit
tee on the dispensary, will draw up
bill which will no doubt be adopted.
Mr.. Barberis more thoroughly familiar
with the law than any other man, and
knows where it needs strengthening.
If possible, he will draw up bill
which will comply with the constitu
tion in all respects. This may be a
hard Job, and the Attorney General
may not be successful, but he will do
his best.
Mr.. W. S. Smith made determin
ed effort to have the metropolitan
police bill annullcd, but failed. The
debate on the question showed that
the members did not want the law en-
forced except where it became neces-
sary and of course, this meant the
dispensary. fractional lines were not
drawn but the bill received large
support.
Building and Loan Associations.
especially foreign ones, which are al
legged to charge cxorbitant rates of in
tercst will very likely receive Il black
eye before the session ends. The de-
bate on the question in the House
clearly indicated desire to force such
companies out of business in the
State. and when Mr.. Pattons bill on
the subject is reached it will no doubt
pass without trouble.
\ bill which will come up for dis
cussion during the present week and
one which is Of especial interest to
the farmer and the merchant is that
introduced by Mr. Rogers to repeal
the lien law. This subject is one of
vast Importance and will be as warmly
fought as it will be supported. Those
directly interested are disagreed on
the best policy to pursue in reference
to the matter and one of the most IT,
tercsting and lively debates OF the
session may be expected
The election Of Judges during the
past week occasioncd much clog roll
ing previously, but as a result there
were really no contests. The Lcgisla-
turc will have to 60 through another
election this week. On Wednesday a
Comptroller General and Il State prln-
ter for this session arc to be chosen.
Mr.. l,pton, the incumbent of the
Comptrollcrs office, will be opposed
by Mr.. Derham who is at present the
chief clerk of the Office. There is
much work being done for either can
didate.
The Legislature visited Clemson
during the week, and was not much
.dcmoralizcd thereby as some sus-
pectcd they would be. They came back
and got into harness without trouble.
If NIr. Mcarcs resolution to amend
the rules, referring charter bills first
H. :.,,1;;,,,, .,,,,,ittno nucSnS II