The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-19
The Legislature.
Columbia Record, Jan. IA.

Columbia Record, Jan. IA.
The session Of the senate tois morn
ing was signalized by the ope0iog OF
(. tho debase on Senator Ragsdale's joint
resolutions to submit to the people the
questions Of amending the constitution
so as to provide that supreme court jus.
tices aud circnit judges shalt be elected
By disec. vote Of the people. instead Of
by the legislature, as at present.
Senator Ragsdale, the author of the
resolutions. opened the debate 10 care
fully prepared speech. which vas at ell
times forceful aud occasionally even
eloquent
As he is Conservative, the open
ing utteraDces of his speech were all
the more remarkable.
he turned attention back to the days
Of the Shell manifesto.
He pronounced it most remarkable
document, which had inaugurased a
great revelation in South Carolina.
Some of it's statements may have been
reckless and too harsh, but its undying
truths we're responsible for the strength
it attracted to the movement for which
it was the bugie call.
he picked on. as It's keynote the de-
clarasion that South Carolina had never
bad erepubliosn form of govern ment,
aud demoDssrateds that it was at least
not without foundation. He referred
to the fact that up to 1865 the chief
executive Of Soath Caroline vas elect
ed By the legislature. aud not BY the
people. as one instance con6rmatory Of
the charge.
He; condemned that conservatism
which opposes any sud all changes,
holding tba. the things Of the past are
ever best aud should be olung TO
Some people hate governmental
change Of policy as venomously as the
anarcbiss does the flag Of his country.
20 such it is useless to speak. for hav
ing ears. they hear not, and eyes. they
ses not.
He then addressed himself to close
aud careful presentation of the reasons
Tbe be thought the change he advo-
Gated was advisable and should be
made. he called attention to the nar-
row majority BY which in the conssitu
tional convention the proposition to
have judges elected by the people was
defeated aud expressed the opinion that
. vote Of the people on this question
would make different result.
The debate upon this important meas
cure is likely to be lengthy aad very
interesting.
Senator Moses introduced a concur
rent resolution for the appointments Of
committee Of two senator's aud three
representatives. to consider what attaches
are needed to conduct the business OF
.sbe general assembly and what is ade-
quate compensation for their services.
Whatever changes may be recon-
.meoded, If the report is adopted. will
not go into effect until next session.
A bill has been introduced in the
senate providing that the system of
county government shall be changed
8, that instead Of supervisor and
board az at present. three county COM
nissioners, at salary of $500 each,
ehall manage the affairs of each county.
IN TIE HOUSE
The house worked SO Systematically
and rapidly to-day that it adjourned at
noou. having by the time considered all
bills on the calendar the printed copies
CT which had been on the desks of the
members twenty -four hours, IS the rule
requires.
Ao unfavorsble report was made
upon the bill to repeal the metropoli-
tan police Law. bat iss consideration was
deferred.
Mr. Gaes's county goverOmeu. bill
vas made che. special order for Thurs
day. the Goth inst
The bill providing a graduated H.
cense tax Was killed With scarce . pro-
test.
Atser a so.ppy debate. the senate
bill providing shat township commits
si9ners be elected vas put TO sleep
The prevailing idea vas that good men
could not be induced to 60 through the
worry Of an election to obtain these
effoes, which pay nothing and entail
lots Of Trouble.
A bill to abolish tourist hotel privi-
leges was introduced and referred to the
special dispensary committee of one
from each county. which has charge Of
all measures relating to the dispensary
Mr. Tbomas's joiut resolution to pro
vide for the sale of native wines by
county dispensers vas killed without