The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-18
THE LEGISLATURE.
What IL Boing Done--Acts Proposed and
Disposed or.
Columbia Record, Jan ID.

dale's joint resolutions to submit to
the people the questions IF
amending the constitution so as to
provide that supreme court Justices
and circuit judges sha', be elected
by direct vote Of tho people, instead
of by the Legislature, as at present.
Senator Ragsdale, the author of
the resolutions, opened the debate
in carefully proposed speech,
which was at all times forceful and
occasionally even eloquent.
As he is Conservative, tho opon
ing utterances of his speech were all
the more remarkable.
He turned attention back to the
days of the Shell manifesto.
lie pronounced it a most re-
markable document, which had in
augurated a great revolution III
South Carolina. Some of ITS state
ments may have been reckless and
too harsh, but it's undying truths
were responsible for the strength it
attracted to the movement for which
it was the bugle call.
Ho picked out rs it's keynote the
declaration that Soath Carolina had
republican form of government,
and demonstrated that it was at least
not without foundation. He referred
to tho fact that up to 1855 the chief
executive Of South Carolina was
elected by the Legislature, and not
by the people, as one instance con-
tirmatory of the charge.
He condemned that conservatism
which opposes any and all changes,
holding that the things Of the past
are ever best and should be clung
to.
Some people hate a governmental
change of policy as venomously as
anarchist does the flag of his coun-
try. To spch it is useless to speak,
for having ears, they hear not, and
eyes, they see not.
He then addressed himself to q
close and careful presentation of the
reasons why he thought the change
he advocated was advisable and
should be made. He called atten-
ton to the narrow majority by which
in tho constitutional convention
tho proposition to have Judges
elected by the people was defeated
and expressed the opinion that Il
vote of the people on this question
would make a different result.
Tho debate upon this important
measure Is likely to be lengthy and
very interesting.
Senator Moses introduced a con.
current resolution for the appoint
ment Of committee of two Senators
and three Representatives to consider
what attaches are needed to conduct
the business Of the general assem
bly, and what is adequate compen-
sation for their services.
Whatever changes may be recon
mended, if the report is adopted,
will not 60 into effect until next
session.
A bill has been introduced in the
senate providing that tho system OF
county government shall be changed
so that instead OF II supervisor and
board os at present, three county
commissioners, at a salary of $500
each, shall manage tho affairs of each
county.
IN THE HOUSE.
The house worked 80 systomat
ically and rapidly to day that it ad
journed at noon, having by that
time considered all bills on the cal
endar the printed copies of VIII icl
had been on the desks Of tho Nom.
bers twenty-four hours, as the rule
requires.
An unfavorable report was made
upon the bill to repeal the metro
politan police law, but it's cousidera
ton was deferred.
Mr.. Cages county government
bill was made the special order fo
Thursday, the Goth inst.
The bill providing a graduated Ii
cense tax was killed with scarcely
protest.
After snappy debate, the senat
bill providing that township com