The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-02
LAST DAY OF THE sRssION.
IN A HURRY TO GET HOME.

IN A HURRY TO GET HOME.
A Large Amount OF Important Leg
isletion Was Colapleted-Botb
Houses Engaged in Making Con,
tanued Stories.
The Legislature Of South Carolina
adjourned sine die on the 2lst OF Feb
ruary, with the patriotic purpose OF
celebrating Washington's birthday at
their homes. The volume of business
on the last day was very great, but a
goodly number OF SenatOrs and Repre-
sentatives remained at their posts un-
til the hour OF adjournment was
reached at . o'clock on Wednesday
morning.
The Senate passed complimentary
resolutions In regard to its presiding
officer, Hon. M. B. McSweeney, who
made d fitting response. The House
adopted similar resolutions as to the
efticien.y OF Hon. +. b. Gary, who is
serving his third term as speaker, and
in addition he was given gold. headed
walking stick, for all OF which he ex-
pressed thanks in q most suitable man
ner.
The resolution providing for the prep.
aration and completion OF the history
.
was continued until next session. Sem
ator Barnwell said that there was not
time enough left In which to select the
historian, and Senator Sheppard said
one thousand dollars would not pay for
history that would do justice to South
Carolina's part In the war between the
States, and that such a history could
not be written in ono year.
A resolution to appoint joint COM
mission to ascertain .he cost Of arrange
ment and publication OF Colonial and
Revolutionary records was passed by
the Senate, and Senator Mower was
placed on the commission.
The Senate proposed to increase the
appropriation for the engrossinR de-
pRrtment from 81, 500 to 95, 500. The
House refused to agree to this amend
ment.
The House refused to concur in the
appropriation for the contingent fund
for Adjutant General. A contingent
fund OF $500 was allowed for the Su-
preme Court.
Mr.. Bacot tried in vain to have a bill
relative to recording births, deaths,
diseases left over with the hope OF It's
being passed.
The committee on agriculture re-
ported unfavorably on the resolution
requesting Clemson College to make
experiments In the use Of wide-tide
wagons. The report was adopted and
the bill killed.
Senator Aldrich offered the following
resolution, which was adopted by i
rising vote:
Be 1t resolved, That the Senate has
felt during its present session profound
sorrow on account of the Illness Of Gov.
no tnf No. foks -,
OF the State, and beg to extend to him
oursympathy and sincere hope for his
speedy recovery. That q copy Of this
resolution be sent by the clerk to his
Excellency, the Governor.
TRYING TO BOND THE CONSTABLES.
The bill to amend the dispensary law
by changing the time Of settlement OF
county dispensers with the county and
town brought out an amendment from
Senator Barnwell to require the con-
stables tu furnish bond IN the sum OF
$500 each while In Office.
Mr.. Barnwell said he trusted the bill
would not be continued. The amend
ment sought to attack one Of the most
monstl Qua provisions OF the dispensary
law-he referred to unbonded, ire
eponsible ,constabulary. 1t was q fea-
ture unknown to the law OF South Caro-
u
liberty-loving people. The high OFF,
GERS Of the law, the sheriffs of the
court, the marshals OF the Federal
Government, oil must provide sureties
for their good behavior, and their dep
uties acted under the responsibility Of
their superiOr's bond. But here this
petty officer, appointed at will and re-.
movable at pleasure-unlimited in
number and unknown to most seized
goods in sOme cases without warrant
and were not responsible under the
law; for II not possessed OF property a
OWL suit was farce, and If prosecuted
edy remained to the citizen but VIC.
lence or bribery. The bold could re-
sist and the rich could buy. 1t was tho
weak id humble who went to the
wall. Every Senator knew instances
of what had happened. He know OF
ono instance in the early days OF the
law where the homo OF peaceful citi-
zen was rummaged from garret to base
ment in the absence OF the owner on
the moro statement OF a colored me-
nial, and nothing whatever discovered.
When he had first heard OF the ap-
pointment OF the constabulary he had
know whether the prediction came
lug asunder OF the militia, the state OF
siege at the capitol, were episodes no
citizen could we'll forget. He did not
allude to them except rs q warning.
Such things did not happen now, per-
haps but they could happen, and that
was enough. Let US remove this re.
preach from the statute book. Let ue
abolish this relic OF unhappy times
The amendment was as simple aB day
1t was In the usual and familiar phrases
Of the law. No unusual principle was
Introduced, no innovation was made
upon established customs. It would
only confne tho person charged with
the enforcement OF the law to lega
enforcement. Friends OF the dispen
sRry should welcome the amendment
for 1t would chow their good faith ir
desiring Its enforcement as o part O.
tho State machinery. Enemies OF the
dispensary law should vcte for It, be-
cause they, like the friends OF the dis
pensary, were born free and were citi
zens OF free State.