Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-01-16
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
BY RoBT 4. THOMPSON.

,. .Hl BY RoRT. lob 1 4. 1HoMIpsoA,
Columbia, January s. Editors
Courier I: The General Assembly con-
yened to-day Stevenson, Of Ches-
tterfeld county, was elected Speaker
bya large majority over Prince, Of
Anderson, and Weston, of Columbia.
Mr.. Hamer, Of Marlboro, was re-
elected Clerk; Mr.. Wilson, OF Ian
caster, Sergeant-at,A Arms, and Mr..
Withers Reading Clerk. There were
three "ballots" for Sergeant. at Arms.
The House adjourned without
completing its organization. Much
time was consumed in swearing in
the members.
The Senate organized early. Nearly
all of the old officers were re. elected
Lieutenant Governor Tillman will
not preside over the Senate until he
is inaugurated. The inauguration
of the Governor and Lieutenant
Governor-eleot will take place next
week.
The speech of Speaker Stevenson
on taking the chair was brief and
pointed.
There is much speculation in the
press and lobby as to what will be
done. The dispensary, enlarged ap-
preparations for free schools, aid to
the Charleston Exposition, pensions,
etc., will claim attention.
The decision of the Supreme Court
adverse to special legislation is far
reaching in its effects, and the cura-
tive remedy is yet in the womb of
the future.
The terms Of Circuit Judges Gary
and Townsend are about to expire.
The impression prevails that they
will succeed themselves.
One of the most interesting cleo
tions is that for State Librarian. By
common consent this position will be
filled by lady as usual. There are
quite number of candidates--some
advanced in years, and some in the
bloom of youth. Altogether this is
an interesting spectacle. The candi-
dates are modest, leaving to their
male friends the real work of the
campaign.
X
January 0.-This is the second
day of the session. The organization
of the House was completed and
some business transacted.
A bill was introduced appropriat-
ing $4,000 to the Charleston and
West Indian Exposition, at Charles
ton. The first reading of the bill
took place, and the measure was re-
ferred to the appropriate committee.
An inquiry was instituted to as
certain the whereabouts of some
forty one thousand dollar bonds en-
dorsed by the State before the war.
The interest is larger now than the
principal. The object of the inquiry
is to saddle the payment of these
bonds on the taxpayers of the State.
The Governors message was read.
His Excellency presents the affairs
of the State in plain manner. This
excellent State paper will 6e read
by your subscribers with much in.
tercst and profit. The Governors
recommendations, in most instances,
will meet with hearty approval. The
recommendations requiring the ex-
penditure of money may not meet
with universal approval.
In the Senate Mr.. Sheppard, of
Edgefield, has introduced bill to
reapportion representation of the
various counties in the State. Your
readers will be gratifiell to learn that
this apportionment gives TO Oconee
three Representatives in the House,
instead of two. We make this gain
by increase of population. A num-
ber of the counties lose one or more
Representatives., as the whole num-
Der cannot exceed 124 under the
Constitution of 1895.
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