The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-01-31
Capital Correspondence.
SENATE CHAMBER,

lOiulIO4Sii ". coG. 80 A'OV'
have read the communication !
from Pinewood signed by the Intend
ant and Wardens of that town, and
will endeavor to explain the criticism
with reference to Magistrate Ragin>s
conduct. An alarming telegram had |
been sent to the Governor, who had |
to have definite information before
he could act, and he being anxious to I
act promptly, wired back to Magls-
trate Ragin for definite information.
To this he received no response.
Later q telegram came from a CITIZEN
to me. Immediately / called upon
the Governor, showed him the 'eie
gram and stated that the emeIseleS
was great, for felt SATISFIED tne sen
der Of the telegram woulo not ha.e
sent It unless conditions warranted II. |
| was asked why 90 not these peo-
nla call on the sheriff MY reply |
vas that these people had never
had q similar experience and had
Droba blv considered the Governor !
the proper source to ask for relief.
The Governor then ordered the mill
tarv department to make the neces-
sary arrangements to comply with |
the request in the telegram to me.
Other kilograms came, but none from
Ragin, and that officer
silence mystified things considerably.
The affair created considerable con-
cern, and was the main topic dis
cussed in the hotel. The question
was put to me several times, why
does not the magistrate answer the
%nln 70 |
had no answer, as l was as much in
the dark as they. Under the circum-
stances it can be seen how easily the
silence Of the magistrate could be
criticised. The comment that he had
taken to the swamp with his fright
was, no doubt, jocularly made, ner.
ertheless it was made by some Of the
bystanders who did not know the
man. OF course my absence from
home caused me not to be in posses
sion of the full facts and conditions,
and it was not until l read the com
nunication in the last issue Of THk
TINES that learned why it was that
Magistrate Ragin did not answer the
Governors telegram, and | am free
to say that if had been placed IN
similar position l can see how
might have acted as he did during
an excitement; nevertheless he was
badly advised After having sent
the first telegram he should have an
swered the Governor. l did not
share in the belief that Mr. Ragin
had taken to the swamp, for | have
known him nearly all Of my life and
have had occasion to see test OF ms
bravery, and l would be the last one
to reflect upon his manhood. l at
tribute his action to ineIperience IN
such a trying ordeal, and the mis-
taken advice given to him to not an
swer the Governors telegram.
Representative Woods has intro
duced bill to exempt the townships
of Mt. Zion, Brewington and st.
Marks from the operation Of the
stock law during certain months.
This bill was accompanied by pc
tition from citizens in those town
ships.
The delegation at its last meeting,
after getting a complete statement
of the county's income, has deter
mined to reduce the county levy one
mill, which, am satisfied, will be
sufficient to run the county, if eco
nomically administered.
I have had passed to third read
ing a bill to require the sheriff to
perform the duties of constable for
the magistrate at Manning without
additional compensatlon-a saving
of $500.
have also had passed bill pro-
vlding a salary Of $1,000 per year for
the Clerk of Court, all fees now al
lowed by law to 60 into the treasury.
This. believe, will save the taIpay
ers in the neighborhood of 81 900 per
year. The bill has passed, but on
account of an amendment to which
it is attached, being incomplete, it
was referred to q committee on free
conference of which | an chairman.
1t is therefore reasonably sure 1t will
become law.
Representative Richardson is on 8
committee to regulate schedule OF
salaries for county officers through
out the State.
Representative Jones is determined |
to press his seed cotton license bill,
and although am anxious that he
succeed, do not believe that he will |
this session.
1t was my good fortune to have a |
visit from Mrs. Appelt this week, and
on account of her visit we became
the guests at the executive mansion,
where we were delightfully."- enter
tanned.
Mr.. Frank Barron was one of the
visitors to the Senate chamber this
week, and we also were visited by |
Clerk OF Court J. H. Timmons and |
Mr.. G. T. Ridgeway.
Solicitor Wilson and Miss Lucie
Barron are at their respective posts
in the engrossing department.
L. A.