The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-21

The lawyers discussed the matter at
some length one of them addressing
tho chair az "your honor" Finally
the house bill was passed with come
amendments
The following bills received third
readings
To provide for the assessment of
railroad property which has been off
the books for the year in which they
have been off, and to fix the time
when such tsxee shall become
due The assessment provided is
limited to ten years Immediately pre-.
ceding restoration to The books and
does not apply to any railroad proper
" which may hereafter be sdjudged
by the oourts exempt from taxes
which may be exempted under this
act.
The bill amending the primary
election law % to municipal elections
Il provides for registration under the
rules Of the party 10 cities of over
5000 inhsbitants
Senator Mower called up the appro
pristion bill and offered an amend
ment increasing the amount for the
payment Of interest from $283, ,832, 81
to 1886 046. which vas adopted.
The salary OF the State reporter
was redcoed from $1,000. to 900
The latte 10 the present salary, but
the bill pi opposed to increase it The
spproportion bill was then passed
aod sent back to the house with
amendments
The supply bill Vas nex> .Aken up
and smeuded 10 certain particulars.
NIGHT SESSION.
When the senate met at 8 p m il
took up . number Of minor bills,
among them being . lot sent back
from the house
The bill TO place oonvicts whose
terms are longer than ten years on
the chsingsDg was passed to the
third reading, but it was stated that
there would be opposition to it on the
fpsi reading
There was received from the house
tho bill TO complete the State house.
the house having amended it 60 90 to
appropriate $4,000 from the sink
inIy fund for that purpose
Do motion Of Senator Henderson
the bill wss made Q special order for
next morning There will be opposi
tion to the measure
Senator Msnning's bill to sell the
State farms was taken up aud the
sushor supported il in Q strong
speech. The bill provides that the
upset price shall be $4,000, Q pri
vare sale to be made BY next De.
cetnber.
''enator Manning said the purpose
10 10 place the oonvicts on the roads
sud to get The State out Of the cotton
raising business The profits arc
only about $4,000 . year. while il
the convicts we're leased to the
counties there would be Q larger
profit. about $1,000 The farms cost
$4,000. The farms are located in
sumter. except . portion 10 Ker.
shsw, Senator Msnning's county, and
he 10 familisr With their condition
There are between 4,50O and 1900
acrss 10 the two farms. some being
practically worthless and oil subject
to overflow
Senator Hay. chairman of the pen.
itentisry committee. thought the
tima was too short to put through
such an important measure. The
superintendent aud directors are op.
posed to the proposition. The senate
has no de6oi.e Information % to the
value of the farms He is not Q
farmer, bot know anyone would be
surprised to see how valuable the
property 10.
Senator Henderson called attention
TO the fact ths. is would be impossible
fos this bill to pass At this session. "a it
Was ooly oo its sseond reading He
moved to Icy 90 the table and this Wss
agreed 10
Ssoator Henderson moved to recon.
elder tho vote oo tho biennial session
sueodmeot The motion vas agreed
to Senator Henderson said he had
voted sgsinss the proposition, but w.s
w'liiog 10 let the people vote 90 il,
although be ssill ,houghs i, . r istake.
Ssostor Hay opposed the proposition
s Impractical, aod 'houghs it would
work confusion. Toe bill provides that
the s~eodmsot should 60 into effect 10
1902. Tho constitution provides that
the governor sbsll 60 in tffcs during
che session Of the Legislature oex, after
bis electiou. the terms to DO Two years
II the sueudmeot passed. the governor
elected in 1902 could not assume the