The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-26
A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW.

Chinm6in register, .Jan "a.

tnat about as 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
a measure which had many friends
and it was thought that it would pass
easily. But there was some unex-
pectcd opposition to it, and after Il
thorough discussion, tic 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 Congressman 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' $ 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 a 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 aud super
vision of the railroad commission.
The bill was once defeated in the
Senate end the prospects are that it
will meet the same fate when it again
reaches that body.
Although the House passed rcso-
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.
daccd providing for adjournment Feb
ruary 20, but it has not yet been dis
cusscd. 1t comes up as special
order to-day.
It tis no. likely that the discussion
OF the dispensary bill will consume
much time, for the Attorney General,
at the request of the special commit
tee on the dispensary, will draw up a
bill which will nc aonht be s.dcpted.
Mr.. Barberis moro 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 neccs-
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
terest will very likely receive 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.. Patton's bill on
the subject is reached it will no doubt
pass without trouble.
a Dill which will come up for dis
cussion during the present week and
one which is Of especial interest to
the farmer and the merchant il that
introduced by Mr., Rogers to repeal
the lien law. This subject is one of
vast Importance and will be as warmly
fought MS 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 in
tercsting and lively debates Of the
session may be expected.
Lhc election OF Judges during the
past week cccasioned much 'log roll
ing" previously, but as result there
were really no contests. The Lcgisla-
turc will have to 60 through another
election this week. On Wednesday
Comptroller General and a State prin.
ter for this session are to be chosen.
Mr. Epton, the incumbent of the
Comptrollers' Office, will be opposed
by Mr.. DcrLam 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
''demoralized" thereby as some sls-
pected they would be. They came back
and got into harness without trouble.
IF Mr.. Mearcs' resolution to amend
the rules, referring charter bills first
to the judiciary committee nasses. il