Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1904-02-10
SENATE

D
An interesting debate occurred
Wednesday morning when Senator
Ragsdales bill to cede 10 the United
States exclusive rights over certain
lands wns brought up after the SEN
ate returned from the memorial exer.
cises in the House. The bill has been
sent back from the House with con
current" substituted for the word "eX.
elusive" Senator Sheppard moved
concurrence with the House amend:
ment. and a debate of some fervor en-
sued. the idea being entertained by
some of the Senators that citizens
might not be able to have just the
same treatment when tried in United
States courts. for crimes and misde-
meanors committed on this territory,
that they would receive in the courts
Of the State.
Senator Brice wished the bill to be
retained in its original form, and read
extracts from Washington CORE.
spondent to South Carolina paper
saving that the government would
make no more appropriations for
buildings on land not governed eX-
clusively by it. Senator Brice argued
that our representatives In Congress
wanted this change made in the State
law. Senator Won Kolnitz, Senator j;
w. Ragsdale and Senator Walker
spoke for the bill in it's original form.
Senator Walker remarked that the
United States courts were practically
South Carolina courts today to the eX-
tent that they are presided over by
South Carolinians and have South
Carolina juries. TO this Senator Shep-
pard agreed, but, said he. suppose
Judge Brawley or Judge Simonton
should die? No one knows who would
take their places. The courts hare not
always been as they are now. 1t is
not many years since the Radical
Judge. Bond. ruled. The Senator ex-
pressed in no uncertain language the
hope that no vacancy would soon oc-
cur in the district bench, and certain
ly none during the present administra-
ton
A vote on Senator Sheppard's mo.
ton tu concur with the house amend.
nlent resulted in tie. but the chair
voted AYE. and the motion was car,
ried. Spartanburg. York, Florence and
Georgetown are the counties most az
fected, it is said for the federal gov.
ernment is negotiating to put UP pub
lie buildings in those cities. The bill
is as follows:
Section l. That tho consent OF the
State of South Carolina is hereby Civ.
en-, in accordance with the seventeenth
clause, eighth section Of the first ar.
ticle of the constitution OF the United
States, to the acquisition of the United
States by purchase. condemnation OF
otherwise. of any land In the State re-
n,:ired for custom houses, court
houses, postoffices. arsenals or. other
public buildings. whatever, or for any
other purposes Of the government.
"Sec. g That concufFent jurisdic.
lion in aud over any land so acquired
by the United States shall be. and the
came is hereby ceded to the United
States for all purposes except the ser.
vice upon such sites OF all civil and
criminal processes Of the courts of the
State. but the jurisdiction SO ceded
shall continue no longer than the said
United States shall own such lands.
Sec. 3. The jurisdiction ceded shall
not vest until the United States shall
have acquired the title to the said
lands by purchase. condemnation. or
otherwise. and SO long as the said
lands shall remain the property of the
United States. when acquired as afore.
said, and no longer. the same shall be
and continue exempt and eXonerated
from All State. county and municipal
taxation. assessment or other charges
which may be levied or imposed under
the authority Of this State.
The calendar was taken up II the
hour before the memorial exercises in
the Rouse None of the special orders
were taken up The floor and lobby
Ct tbs senate we're veil filed with the
lieutsrecc..:: Ct TIE ccttcn MI! ard fer.
t,,i.e. ccmEenias and ths Bell Tale.