The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-02-26
II Was Found ImoossibIe to Ad.
journ Friday Night.

Columbia, Feb. 22.-Contrary to
expectations the house did not adjourn
sine die last night-c- early this morn
ing. It was hoped that final adjourn
ment would be reached before l o'clock
as great many members wanted to
attend the military day festivities IN
Charleston.
But the general appropriation bill
was not acted upon last night, and the
senate was not as well up with its
work as the house. The appropriation
bill is held up on account of the Win
throp appropriation, the house insist
inc On $50, coo. The three senators on
free conference committee are standing
firm for the $50, 600 and Mr.. Moses OF
tie house committee is with them, but
Messrs. Blease and Dorrah are hold
ing out for $50, 900 and it requires the
votes OF two members Of each house to
form report of committee OF free
conference.
The house spent last night in usual
rollicking style, Mr. Hollis and Mr..
sSpeers furnishing music on the
violins and Mr.. Ashley leading in the
singing. It is on such occasions as
this that radical legislation is some
times gotten through the general as
sembly unless the members are watch
tul. Just such an effort was frustrated
last night, an effort to pass a bill
which had not been introduced or dis
cussed in the house this session, bill
to allow the State board OF directors
to elect beer dispensers in cities OF
over 20, 600 Inhabitants. These cleo
tions are now within the province OF
the county boards. The dispensary
law Itself was brought in as free con-
ference committee report in 1888, but
history failed to repeat itself last
night.
It was stated last night that the
senators who had signed the free con-
ference committee report were not
aware of the nature of the report to
which they affixed their Signatures
and that they we're indignant over the
matter. The report was rejected Dy
the house and was never presented to
the senate.
When the appropriation bill came
over to the house there was no tight on
any Of the senate amendments until the
house reached that providing for a
stenographer for the railroad commits
sion. The senate proposed to give this
clerk $500. Objection was strenuously
urged and the house refused to concur.
It was said that the commission needs
this stenograpber, because they now
mast depend upon the stenographer
of the parties appearing IN the near
;ooc bofora toe commission.
Mr.. Tatum favored the amendment
and said the general public has no
idea how much work is done by the
commission.
1t was stated by Mr. Webb that the
clerk of the commission goes to his
home in Sumter every afternoon and
spends but half the day at the Office.
Mr.. Tatum replied that no ordinary
man could keep up with the affairs
Of the Office, but the incumbent
knows the workings of the office so
we'll that by going home at night
does not lose anything.
Mr.. Kibler thought the clerk might
well be a stenorgapher also.
Mr.. Ashley wanted to abolish the
whole business. He thought that with
his limited education be could 90
more than the whole commission and
! It's clerk.
THE MILITIA.
TIE house agreed to tie senate
amendments as to the militia. The
appropriation as it left the house was
SO, GEO. The senate amended by civ
ing $1,000 for maintenance and 81, 93C
for the trip to Charleston, practically
the same as the house appropriation.
The house also agreed to the 57G(
additional for uniforms Of naval mill
The house concurred in the senate
amendments raising the provision fol
county auditors from S25, Coo to 529,
GOO.
The senate had inserted provision
of 8, 800 for d State exhibit at the
st. Louis exposition.
This was adopted by the house.
-