Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-01-20
LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.
General Assembly Does Little on Opsnlns
Day-The Liability BiIl.

Columbia. January 12.--Armed
with carload of bills, not
few of which are aimed at
corporations, members of tho Gene
raj Assembly met in Columbia
and creased the legislative machinery
for the forty-day session.
Governor Heyward's message was
read in the Senate and the House,
but the work of the first session
was brief, being confined to routine
matters.
Eloquent tribute was paid to
General Gordon by the Governor,
who transmitted special message.
A committee was appointed to at.
tend the funeral and the delegation
left with the patriotic societies for
Atlanta. Gordon's picture in the
Senate chamber was draped in
mourning. q,
There was wrangle in the House
about the election of an Associate
Justice, dispensary officials and
others and it was finally agreed to
have the committee on privileges to
report Wednesday at noon.
The fine Italian hand of the poll
tician is apparent and those most
anxious for the glory are seeking
/ time for campaign work.
The liability bill, brought over
from the last session, got on the
calendar to-day. This measure ex-
tends the rights and remedies of en-
ployes of railroad corporations, as
provided by the constitution to en-
ployes of cotton and all textile mill
corporations and telegraph compa-
nies.
The committee on commerce and
manufacture, to which the bill was
referred, made an unfavorable re-
port, urging that it should not pass,
but minority report came in. The
better sentiment in the Legislature
is against the bill, which will se-
riously effect the great cotton indus
try. The purpose seems to be to
aid the operatives when they are not
expecting or demanding it and will
simply fill the court dockets with
cases which can be settled otherwise.
The cheap element of the legal pro-
fession naturally approves inasmuch
as it offers great possibilities for
those who live on damage suits.
SECOND DAY.
Columbia, January 13.-In the
House to-day a great deal of sub
stantial work was accomplished. The
railroads had things rather against
them in that three bills, which are
not calculated to help the railroad
corporations, were passed to third
reading, and bill looking to outlaw
ing slot machines was also ordered
to a third reading. The slot ma
chimes and the railroads were the
only ones that had troubles to. day.
All other bills were either passed
over, Withdrawn or made special or
ders. The special report of the leg
islative committee appointed at the
last session, charged with reporting a
plan upon which the State could get
upon cash basis, was presented by
the committee to-day.
A special order was made of all
bills relative to biennial sessions for
next Wednesday at IL o'clock.
A special order was made for to-
morrow and every day thereafter un-
til disposed of of all measures relating
to special terms of courts and solu-
tion of the matter of extra courts or
new judicial circuits.
Quite number Of new bills were
presented during the day bearing
upon a variety of topics, and the boil
weevil subject made its first appear
ance to day in the shape of bill to
prevent it's introduction into South
Carolina.
The Senate had very brief ses-
sion. Thirty-four bills on the calen-
dar left over from last year were
called in regular order, but action on
all were postponed.
The Governor has vetoed a bill re-
lating to towns of 5000 inhabitants
subscribing to the support of libraries,
because the act was superhuous,
there already being law on the
subject.
THIRD DAY.
Columbia, January ithout
discussion of any kind the House
to-day killed the Johnson bill to pro-
hibit strikes and lockouts in cotton
mills, but the labor element is pre-
pared to renew the fight at this ses-
sion. The same measure will come
up again, Mr.. Towhill having sent it
to the engrossing department imme.
diately after the vote was announced.
While the first measure, affecting the
textile industry was defeated, the
calendar will again be filed with the
same sort of legislation.
Mr.. Haskell's bill, providing for a
record of every birth, marriage and