Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-02-23
IMPORTANT NEW LAWS.

Although more than two hundred
new laws were added to the statute
books during the session Of the general
assembly just adjourned, comparative
ly few Of them are Of especial general
interest. Most Of them relate to local
matters, and many are Of no interest
whatever outside of the towns or
neighborhoods especially concerned.
But among the new laws that are OF
general interest some are very impor-
tant. This is to be gathered from an
interview that reporter had with
Senator Brice yesterday afternoon.
The senator was quite busy after his
arrival from Columbia yesterday morn
ing, shaking hands with his many
friends, and receiving the congratula-
tions of people who have been giving
particular attention to his splendid ef-
forts in behalf Of local self-govern-
ment; but nevertheless he found time.
at the request Of the reporter, to give
an outline of what has been accom-
plished for the benefit Of the readers Of
THE ENQUIRER. His remarks, which
were based on the list Of new acts as
published in the morning papers, were
offhand, and not intended to be abso-
lutely exact, but nevertheless, he gave
some information that is interesting.
1.-THE road law" he said, "has been
amended in a. very important matter.
Under the law as 1t stood 1t was 81
communication tax and eight days
labor IL necessary, all over the state.
Now, the county boards Of commission
ers have the discretion to fix the COM
mutation tax at anything they like
from 81 up and the number Of days at
labor at not exceeding eight. There
were also passed resolutions to submit
to the people the question Of amending
the constitution so as to allow special
legislation on the road question. In view
Of the fact that the present law seems
to cover the ground however, I do not
see that there is any need for such an
amendment.
1.-The resolution providing for the
submission Of a constitutional amend
ment on the question Of biennial ses-
sions went through all right. If the
people vote for the proposed amend
ment next fall, the general assembly
will convene in the following January
as usual and after that only once every
two years.
There Is now law which makes
safe cracking SPECIFIC FELONY, the
punishment for which Is life imprison-
ment unless there Is a recommendation
to mercy in which event the sentence
Is fixed at not less than ten years.
"Mr. Haile's bill providing for the
appointment Of special constables for
unincorpoated industrial communities
Of fifty inhabitants or over whether the
communities be located permanently or
temporarily, became a law. This al
lows the appointment of constables at
rock quarrieS, brick kilns, ETC., where
the population Is large enough to JUS
tify such appointment; but does not
provide for picnics or political gather
ings. The law Is a very good one,
think.
"One Of the most important laws OF
the session probably, was the franchise
tax on corporations. In addition to the
direct tax to which all corporations
are now subject, they must also pay
this franchise tax, ranging from u
mills to 3 mills, on their capital stock.
The idea of the law Is to get at ex-
press, teleSTdpn anu otHeT CoIPol dIioii'
whose business Is out of proportion to
their tangible property. 1t will bear
rather hardly on railroads, cotton mills
and the like; but 1t Is argued that since
such corporations receive special priv
ileges it Is not unjust that they should
pay special taxes.
What Is known as the Mauldin In
surance law Is also of much interest.
The principal effect of this law Is to AL
low the Southeastern Tariff association
to come back into the state and fix In
surance rates. 1t Is fact that insur-
ance rates were not reduced because OF
the driving out of the tariff associa- |
ton: but 1t Is claimed there may now
be some reduction. The law provides |
for the investigation Of fires that are
supposed to be incendiary, and 1t pro-
vides that the comptroller general or
the insurance commissioner, should one
be appointed, shall be the final arbiter
of disputes over the equity Of rates.
There was strong opposition to the
law putting telephone companies under
the Jurisdiction Of the railroad COM
The principal idea Of 1t was
a check to the Bell people, and they