The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-02-21

amendment and 1t was voted down.
Senator Grubcr moved to indefinite
ly postpone the bill, but the chai
ruled the motion out of order. Senate
Grubcr then moved to recommit tn
bill. This was voted down by a vot
of 10 to Id, and the Senate refused t.
recommit
The minority amendment tha tn
fines collected under the operations 0
this bill shall go to the school fund il
the county in which the violation oc
Cured, was then adopted.
The bill then passed its second read
ing.
CHILD LABOR BILL.
The child labor bill was then taker
up for Its third rcadirg Senator Sui
llvan offered an amendment to place
the age limit at 10 years instead of
II years, and to provide for compul.
sorry attendance upon the public schools
for at least four months each year OF
all children not engaged at work. Par.
ents or guardians failing or refusing to
send such children to school as provid-
| cd are punishable as for a misdemean-
or. Children from TO IL years old
are TO be sent TO school for at least
four months each year. lie said the
Senate stated its object in passing the
bill against child labor was to insure
an education for the children, and he
wanted it carried to its logical conclu-
sion, and offered the hill in good faith.
He rcpudiatcd the idea that a compul
sorry education law would affect the
negro question, as the negroes are
sending their children to school any
way.
Senator Marshall said he hoped there
would be no debate on the question.
Every Senator has had his say. He
thought the practical effect Of Senator
Sullivan's amendments would be TO kill
the bill and he moved 10 lay the
amendments on the table. On this
the vote stood 81 to Ii and the amend
ments were rejected
Senator Mayficld offered an amend
ment to make the school term IN fac
tory towns of equal length with rural
communities, which was adopted.
Senator IIydrick offered an amend,
ment that if any parent or guardian
should make affidavit that the earnings
of the labor of a child were necessary
to the support of the parent Of the
child itself such child might be en-
ploycd.
Senator Graydon opposed the amend
mcnt, as it would be abused and
practically kill the bill.
Senator Ragsdalc said there might
be an occasional case in which Il father
might need the earnings of his child
but it would be very rare, and as the
proposed amendment would leave open
room for abuses and might practically
kill the bill, he thought it should be
voted down. We are to consider what
is best for the children and not what
is best for the parents.
On the question of adopting the
amendment the vote stood II TO II.
There was a tic and the Lieutenant
Governor voted no, thus rejecting the
amendment.
Senator Sharpe offered an amend
ment, which was adopted allowing any
orphan child, upon !!ins an an;havi;, ,
TO secure work in factory, if it was
necessary in order to earn living.
Senator Grubcr offered an amend.
apply to all manufacturing establish
mcnts az well as cotton factories, AMI
the amendment was adopted.
The bill then passed its second read
ing and was ordered engrossed and sent
to the House.
COTTON MILL ASSESSMENT
Senator Hendorson's bill TO provide
uniformity and equality in the assess.
ment of cotton factories passed with
general amendments.
Mr. Croft, of Aiken, championcd the
bill. Taxation to be fair should be
equal. There should be a standard of
equalization. There is great Unequal.
ity in assessments in this State. The
Graniteville company has capital
stock of 100000 and is assessed at
1890 900. The Columbia mill is capi-
talizcd at nearly 81 100000 and yet it
pays taxes on but $2O0,O00. The Pied
mont mills, whose stock is rated at ITO,
is capitalized at $500, 900 and yet is
assessed at only $340 900. The Green
wood mill, capitalized at $1S0,OOO, is
assessed ut $50, 900. He cited other
instances Of discrepancies. He does
not advocate the bill to make higher
assessment, but more equitable as
sessment.
Mr.. Sinkler-Why is tins bill applied
to cotton mills alone?
Mr.. Croft an not the author of
the bill, but it could be applied TO
other property. Textile mills are
specified because their values run into
the millions, and thousands of dollars
| are lost to the State.
Mr.. Cooner, of the ways and means
committee, said that the bill was re-.
ported nnfavorably, because it singles
out one enterprise or industry.
Mr.. Kinard said that the people of
the several counties are interested
enough to get mills returned for the
highest values. Furthermore, the peo-
pie of the county would know the
value Of the property better than the
State board.
Mr.. Jno. p. Thomas, Jr., declared
that the most ilagrant discrepancies dc
exist and the county boards are cvi
IDENTITY not awake to their dutIcs Is