The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-01-25
O. P. q.
Uttcrs Words OF wisdom, and Makes
Good Suggestions to Governor Ell.
Ierbe = Biennial Sessions - The
Homestead - Clemson College -

Other Matters.
Reading part Of Governor Ellerbes mes
seage, observe very striking feature that is
commendaole, In my estimation. and CORE.
spond with the sentiment that l., time and
again, advanced upon the stump In my ef
forts to con vince the "dear" people OF Abbe-
willie County the importance OF ueiegaling
sentatives I alude TO the recon mendation
OF biennial sessions OF the Legislature. He
seems 10 be blazing the way In the right di'
recLIon to alleviate the burden OF taxation
It is certainly worthy of much legislative
Thought, and feel assured that body OF wise.
acres in exacting demands OF their wisdom
could not, consistent 10 my way OF tnlnking, 10
enact an amendment TO the Constitution that
would contribute more to the cause OF re-
form and retrenchment In the State govern
uent.
eminating from the executive head Is calcu.
lated TO magnetize the public nina 10 some
extent and remind the people OF the redun-
praiseworthy Recommendation In Governor
Ellerbe's voice to the solons OF the common.
wealth assembled at the capltol, VIII nave a
tendency, believe, TO immortahze MS ad'
eized by posterity as mastery authoritative
effort made in behalf Of The great need OF re-
form and reduction of taxation.
Mr.. Editor, doubtless you are iamlilar Witn
my utterances on this topic, and Judging
from your brief comment, 1.-The Governor
was. dead right on biennial sessions OF tne
Legislature," the view you entertain ls not
antagontstic. feel encouraged, recognizing
yonr able aud stern advocacy OF pub 'ic meas
ures in the event OF that amendment Is
adopted and submitted TO the people, you
will be ready In the field Of Journalism 10
combat for It's merits. Success TO lib adop-
tion I append an extract OF my campaign
speech touching upon this point when the
Constitutional Convention was an issue be-
"The most important factor oLmy ideas Of
holding q Constitutional Convention is the
hope OF ipaugurating biennial sessions or the
Legislatnre This sYnid @ be snpSb3ons s.npebnaonss e
saving OF fifty thousand dollars. cant per
ceive the genuine sense and absolute neces
sity Of the government requiring Delegates 10
be sent 10 Columbia every fall to msnufac-
ture and rescind, rub out, and put In, laws
and get them so mystified and entangled In a
labyrinthlne maize OF tech nicalities that oeiy
for six hundred or more lawyers to fight over
and reap a rich harvest OF emolumenis
Quadrenpi ial campaigns would then be only
required and that would be no SMALL matter
chief ls vested with discretionary power, and
II an emergency should arise. how easily, In
this age of railroads aud telegraphs, ne could
issue proclamation and convene the law
making body in less than tWentyiour
If the Governor had suggested a thought to
the" powers that be, looking to the abroga-
tion or the Homestead Act, the rampant OF
Is ~
stick another feather In his cap. can't think
: OF that law but what regard IL as more de-
strimental to the States welfare than bless.
ing. Under Its protecting wings, honesty,
! that noble trait Of character, Is held at bay
= and can't exercise It's benign influence.
I would remind the Governor OF another
oversight. He certainly forgot to make men
tion OF the unjust three mill school tax also
exist In the Constitution. Other innuendoes
Ola reformatory character could be multi
piled ad infinitum, but for fear OF 'epcroach-
Ing too much upon your space will turn on
the brakes and observe quietus.
; has again introduced bis pet scheme, some
what modified, a little more liberal in hts
bill. I commend his efforts in trying 10 be-
s friend the agricultural fraternity by abridg-
ing taxation but, think, he iS labortng un-
der q mistaken idea that the mass Of the far
mers are bowling about that Insignificant
guano. That little paltry sutn on an individ-
nal purchase of few tons "a of little conse-
Quence com pared 10 its magnitude OF good In
an aggregate amount, and being utilized In
building and maintaining an educational In
stitution OF q threefoId character in training
the youth OF the country-literary, mechani-
cal and military. That privilege tax was one
I OF the cardinal means In building Clemson
College. Its author is B. r. Tillman, the faith
er Of that great institution. Wonder II my
friend Josh has ever thought OF the colored
population paying two-thirds OF that tax and
Is debarred from enjoying any OF the school
facilities. They only share the benefit OF the
the twenty-five cents privilege tax should re.
main in tact, and II the amount exceeds the
reQuirem ents OF the colleget let the surplus
be turned over to the State Treasurer to aid
IN defraying other governmental expenditures.
I o. P. II.