The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-02-09
A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW.
A Review Of What has been Done to
Date
Ncws and Courier.

the supply and appropriation bills
during the past week were the most
notable events. 1t is very unusual
and at the same time commendable
thing for these two most important
measures to get through the House in
the ordinary progress OF the work.
AS a general thing they have to be
pushed through, and are not consider
ed as they should be. With plenty of
time and after careful consideration
the two vital bills Of the session were
passed in the House without material
discussion, and so carefully had the
problem been worked out that there
was absolutely no discussion Of the
tax levy as reported by the commit
tee, or of any Of the other features of
that bill.
Itis somewhat noteworthy that there
has been nothing heard or said about
the income tax law. 1t would appear
that it is intended to become very
much of dead letter. The compan-
ion piece of legislation, urged by
Governor E'lerbe. to provide for a
graduated license, went to the wall
early in the session. Generally there
is strong fight made on the appro-
priation bill, but such was not the
case this time. The only appropri-
alton which was seriously interfcrcd
with was that of the South Carolina
College, and it appears that this was
brought about by misunderstanding
Of the facts with reference to the fees
and balances of the College, which
made it appear that the College would
get all that was wanted without the
full direct appropriation.
The House showed disposition by
directing the division Of the privilege
tax between Clemson and Winthrop
Colleges, to interfere with the status
quo. It was perhaps unfortunate that
this bill should have been passed at
all by the House ON account of the
possible cons.-mc:;ev tnat viii be
placed on it. The Senators already
have their guns ready for the bill,
and as soon as it shows its head on
the Senate side it will be killed.
The greatest sensation of the ses-
sion, however, outside of the defeat
Of Mr. Epton, was the terrible shock
the members received when the house,
by decisive vote, refused to strike
out the enacting words of Mr.. Child
prohibition bill. There can be no
doubt about the surprise, and the
dispensary people have not yet quite
gotten over it. The policy now seems
TO be Sc choke the life out the bill,
and this will no doubt be successful.
The prohibition sentiment in the
House is strong is very strong
but it lacks organization. The oppo-
sition to the dispensary, ag now con-
3iiotoG, is strong, and is growing, but
that, too, lacks organization, without
head and without definite purpose.
On the other hand the dispensary
advocates are banded together for the
perpetuation Of that law. 1t is not
an organization with duly elected Off
GERS. or anything tangible on which
you can put your hand, but it is there,
it is felt, it is seen in its work and is
almost to be anticipated. 1t just
shows the difference between the work
that can be done. If the Prohibitions
lists and anti-dispensary advocates
we're to organize, as did those who
fought against Mr.. Epton's confirm
alton, there would not be shadow of
doubt that the dispensary law would
not recognize itself aftey this General
Assembly got through with it. Mem
bers who have been friends o. the
dispensary, and who are stanch Re-
formers, told me that they voted for
the Childs bill simply because they
were not satisfied with the way things
are going, and they wanted change.
Mr. Simkin' bill, with proper push,
will go through, but it does not carry
out the popular idea of leaving the
settlement OF the problem TO each of
the, counties, but simply solicits an
expression from tho people of the
State as whole; that is better than
nothing, but what is desired is an Act
that will carry results with it, and
indicate that if the people vote for
prohibition they shall have it. aud
not have the issue side-tracked, as it
has been for years, and if the people
vote for licensing the sale of liquor,
under the constitutional restrictions
that it can be had without bucking up
against the terrible pressure that the
dispensary can bring to. bear on any
measure through its officials and en-
lployces generally from one end of the
State to the other, who arc looking
for the retention Of their positions,
they shall have it.
The disposition, however, seems to
be to leave the entire liquor issue
open until the elections this summer.
and the Federal Supreme Court rem
ders its decision in the Vandercook
case. In this connection it may be
mentioned that the dispensary law
promises to be the ovcrshadowing
issue of the approaching campaign.
1t did look at one time as if the mat
tor Of higher education would figure
prominently in the campaign, but the
dispensary seems to be the one vital
issue from the present outlook.
Governor Ellcrbe. ex-State Senator