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
the chair as ''your honor " Finally
the house bill was passed with some
amendments
The following bills received third
readings
To provide for the assessment OF
railroad property which has been of
the books for the year in which they
have been off, and to fix the time
when such taxes shall become
due The assessment provided is
limited TO ten years Immediately pre-
cedipg restoration to The books and
does not apply to any railroad proper
" which may hereafter be adjudged
by the courts exempt from taxes
which may be exempted under this
act
Tie bill amending the primary
election law as to municipal elections
1t provides for registration under the
rules of the party in cities OF over
10000 inhabitants
Senator Mower called up ehe appro
priation bill and offered an amend
ment increasing the amount for the
payment of interest from $283, ,S32, 81
to s285 O45, which was adopted.
The salary OF the State reporter
was reduced from $1,000, to 900
The latter is the present salary, but
the bill proposed to increase it The
spproportion bill was then passed
and sent back to the house with
amendments
The supply bill was next taken up
and amended in certain particulars.
NIGHT SESSION
When the senate met at 8 p m it
took up number of minor bills,
among them being lot sent back
from the house
The bill to place convicts whose
terms are longer than ten years 90
the cha;pgang was passed to the
third reading, but it was stated that
there would be opposition to it on the
final reading
There was received from the house
the bill to complete the State house,
the house having amended it 80 as to
appropriate $4,000 from the sink
ing fund for that purpose
On motion of Senator Henderson
the bill was made special order for
next morning There will be opposi
tion to the measure
Senator Manning's bill to sell the
State farms was taken up and the
author supported it in strong
speech The bill provides that the
upset price shall be $4,000, pri
vate sale to be made by next De-
cember.
Senator Manning said the purpose
is to place the convicts on the roads
and to get the State out Of the cotton
raising business The profits are
only about $4,000 year. while if
the convicts were leased to the
counties there would be larger
profit, about $1,000 The farms cost
1000. The farms are located in
Sumter. except a portion in Ker-
shaw, Senator Mannipg's county, and
be is familiar with their condition
There are between 4,50O and 4.6o0
acres in the two farms, some being
practically worthless and all eubject
to overflow
Senator Hay. chairman of the pen.
itentiary committee, thought the
time was too short to put through
such en important measure. The
superintendent ard directors are op-
posed to the proposition The senate
has no de6oite Information as to the
value of the farms he is not a
farmer, bat knew anyone would be
to see how valuable the
property is.
Senator Henderson called atteutiou
to the facs that it would be impossible
for this bill TO pass at 'ois session, as 1t
was ooly 90 lis second reading He
moved to lay on the table and this was
agreed to
Senator Henderson moved to recon
s;1er the soss on the bieonia! session
amendment The motion vas agreed
to Senator Henderson said ne bad
voted against The proposition, out was
w,li;og 70 let the people vote 90 it.,
although be still thought II a mistake.
Senator Hay opposed the proposition
as Impractical, ADD though: it would
work confusion. Toe bill provides that
the amendment should 60 into effect 10
1902. The constitution provides that
the governor shall 60 in ef6ce during
the session of the legislature oezs after
his election. toe terms TO be two years
if toe amepdueo, passed. the governor
e!ectea in 1902 could DOT assume the