The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-01-24
Capital Correspondence.
SENATE CHAMBER,

Since my last letter the principal
measure brought up for discussion in
the Senate, which | regard Of inter
| est to my constituents, was what is
| known as the wide tire bill" This
measure means to force the use of
wider tire for vehicles other than
those used for pleasure, and the pur-
,, pose is to make our roads better. 1t
is claimed by the friends of the meas
ure that the narrow tires principally
used to the wagons OF our people cut
down into the roads and keep them
in bad condition, and they propose to
remedy this by compelling the use Of
the wide tire. | opposed the meas
ure as far as Clarendon was con-
cerned, because regard it q innova-
ton which, to use the language Of
another,was "paternalism run mad"
that if the Legislature forced people
to use broader tires on our public
roads there is nothing to hinder it
from compelling the use of broader
soles to shoes. In my Judgment, il
the people Of their own volition
would make the custom to use the
broad tires, our roads might be i'm
proved, but was opposed to forcing
them to the extra expense which
must follow if the bill is enacted into
law. The manufacturers Of wagons
can charge more for wide tire vehl-
Gle, and the law will be windfail to
them. When l discovered it useless
to try and defeat the bill, made an
appeal to exempt Clarendon, and to
my amendment came fourteen other
ot-Iprr cIY,>f1or ovo1nY%inn
I argued not to force this measure on
US and that when the experiment is
tried satisfactorily in counties where
such scheme is wanted, then my
people, appreciating the benefit,
would ask their representatives to
have them placed in the wide tire
column. I regret to say that my
amendment was lost; even some Of
the Senators who had asked for their
counties to be exempted voted
against the exemption on a direct
vote
The question of biennial sessions
created much discussion over in the
House and was carried by a close
margin, and If it passes the Senate
the people will have the privilege to
amend the Constitution so that the
Legislature will meet only once in
two years. Representatives Rich,
ardson, Jones and Woods voted
against biennial sessions, but when
it reaches the Senate I will vote for
it, believing the business Of the State
can be subserved fully as well with
the Legislature meeting every two
wears, and that will be saving OF
about $4,000 every other year to the
taxpayers.
DR.. Woods has introduced a bill
looking towards purer virus as a
preventive of smallpox.
Major Richardson has bill to
amend the Act regulating tobacco
warehouse charges.
Mr.. Jones has had q bill prepared
to relieve Clarendon from the seed
cotton license denominations; also a
bill to redeem property sold under
tax execution.
The county commissioners sent us
their list of claims approved for 1899,
and I find that they have claims ag-
gregating S11,913.76. The value OF
all taxable property on the books is
50, ,54O,170 which, If collected, will
bring S12, ,100s5. This does not in
clude licenses, fines and dispensary
profits. l now feel confident that
the delegation will be safe in reduc-
ing the county levy at least one-ha!f
mill.
Today was set apart for q memo
rial service in honor of the late Gov
ernor Ellerbe; this day was the an
niversary OF his last inauguration.
4 joint committee from the Senate
and House appointed by the presid-
ing officers, prepared the program,
and the distinguished honor was paid
Clarendon by selecting her Senator as !
one of the speakers on behalf Of the
Senate, an honor l shall ever cherish.
The spacious hall of the House of
Representative was crowded. The !
Supreme Court, the Governor and /!
State officers were present as guests,
and all without the bar and galleries
was filled with visitors, many Of |
whom were ladies.
Feeling sure that the readers Of |
The TINES are entitled to know what |
their representative said, | herewith .
give them the text of my remarks:
Mr.. President: To have been selected
on this solemn occasion to speak to the
resolutions now pending. and which have
been so beautifully and appropriately sec
onded, sincerely thank the committee for
the honor, and the privilege accorded me
to place upon the bier OF our departed .
friend my garland of esteem. It was my .
pleasure, and esteem it high honor. to
be counted among the friends OF our late
lamented governor, and 10 the course OF an
intimate association with him l had access
many Of his views and intentions.
Governor Ellerbe was an honest man,
and as innocent Of the manjpulatlons OF !