The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-06
BADLY DEFEATED.
Child Labor Bill Killed by Vote OF
Two 10 One.-Great Crowd, Many
Of Them Ladies, Listened 10 the
Long Debate-HOw Members Voted.
Columbia Record, Feb. lst.

Columbia Record, Feb. lst.
The child labor bill was killed last night by
the house by a vote of 66 TO 80. While the
general expectation was that the measure
would be defeated, the heavy vote oy Wnlcn
IL was rejected WAS quite surprise even 10
the opponents 10 Lhe bill. From beginning
TO the end of the debate, last night The
galleries and floor were crowded with inter
ested listeners to the debate. Every seat IN
the galleries was occupied by ladies. many CT
whom had TO stand. Though the discussion
was long and necessarily somewhat tire
some, the best OF order prevailed and there
was Il noticeable absence OF talking and noise
which Is so characteristic OF audiences when
long debates are In progress.
Tue arguments for and against The bill are
by now quite familiar TO the public and they
were repeated time and again by the speak.
ers, clothed, however, In different verbiage.
which naturally relieved somewhat the
monotony of repetition. Without making
the speech OF Mr.. Croft, of Aiken, showed. the
most careful study OF the subject from histori-
cal, economical and PRACTICAL standpoint.
He favored the bill and made 'au eloquent,
though unavaiting plea for the passage OF The
bill.
A majority of the speakers favored the bill.
though its opponents had strong advocates
in Messrs Prince, Rucker, Ashley. Kinard
and others These arguments were OF prHct-
icai kind, as their side OF the same gave
little opportunity fora display OF sentiment.
They went on the broad principle that
SuOulu UG 6llOWSu W kONcu lnc"-
selves; that their condition and That of their
children IL not the horrible one 1t Ia painted
and that "let alone" policy was best for Pill
concerned.
day In and day out for the whole session, not
10 refer 10 the hundreds of newspaper articles
on subject before the assembling of the
legislature, and perhaps every mans mind
was made up and the speeches had little
effect. The RIchlapd delegation was solid
for the bill and Messrs Robertson, Weston
and McMaster took an active part In the
debate. The following was the vote:
Yeas-Ashley. Aull. Austin, Banks, Beam
guard, Rivers, Bolts. Brooks, Butter. Campell,
Cogses hall. Dean. deLoach, Dennis. Dodd,
pominick' Dorroh, Dunbar, DuraGt, Elder
Halle, Hardin, Hill, Hollis, Humphrey
James johnson, Kibler, Kinard. Kinsley,
Lide, Little, Lcmax, Lyles, MsnIdin, Mayson,
Nicholas, Prince. P, att. Rankin. G. Z. Robin
son, B. B. A. Robinson, Rucker. Stack house,
Sanders. Smith: TEompson. Vincent, Will
Jams, Wilson, Wingo. WoodWard-63
Nays-SteVeuSou, speaker; Bates, Blease,
Bryan, Carter, Croft, Etird, Castor, Gourdin,
Gunter. Jarnigan. Lever, Lockwood, Lotion,
McCraw, McMasler; Morrison; Moss, Mrch-
Smith, Stormap, Tatum. Theus. Thomas
Webb. West. Weston, Woods-35.
MIR. DeBruhl, who would have voted for.
the bill was paired with Mr.. W. H. Parker:
and Mr.. ]. Caldwell Robertson, who would
have voted for the bill, was paired with an
absent member.
MIR: Lever, of l. exington, has another child
labor bill, and there are three In the senate.
One is by Senator Marshall, one by Senator
Henderson and another by Senators May
field, Glenn and Caughman. The house
has so positively put Itself on record that II
Is pretty safe TO say that there will be no
legislation. of the kind this session. The
State bills are special order for tomorrow,
but even If they are debated, and they may
be TO some extent, the prevailing opinion Is
that all Of them will be rejected,