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

the subscribers, and the railroad COM
mission. 1t also compels the Bell peo-
pie to make reasonable connections
with independent companies. There
are some amendments, Of doubtful ef-
feet; but that the law Is not to the lik-
1.-The law to prescribe a penalty on
railroads for an unreasonable delay OF
freight is also important. There were
two bills on this subject, one by Mr..
Beamguard Of York, and the other by
Mr.. Coggeshall Of Darlington. Both
originated in the house last year and
passed that body at the present
committee Of the senate took the two
bills and overhauled the Coggeshan
bill. Originally this bill fixed the num-
ber Of hours that should be considered
reasonable for carrying freight given
number of miles; but the limit was
rather too close, and the bill as whole
was too severe on the railroads. It was
amended so as to make it more reason
able and finally passed. The argument
was that since the railroads charged
demurrage for holding cars beyond
reasonable time 1t is nothing but right
that the railroads should be made to
pay for unreasonable delay Of freight.
There was much surprise at the pas
sage of the bill providing for the cap
itation tax Of so cents on dogs; but 1t
Is now a law. The money goes to the
school fund and the school trustees are
expected to assist the auditor In listing
the taxable animals.
1.-The value Of Winthrop scholarships
has been raised from $44 per annum to
s100 per annum.
There is now q law to prevent the
adulteration of cotton seed meal. 1t
Is claimed that many dealers have been
l,,1< kt,,rr kt,td raf fn
that practically destroys its value.
Meal Is now liable to inspection the
same as other fertilizers.
Senator Sharpe's bill to require the
appointment Of school trustees In on
years instead Of even years is intend
ed, so 1t was said, to prevent supertn-
tendents Of education from composing
the various district boards Of their
special friends. ! am unable to see,
however, that the change as to time
would make any difference. II there Is
a disposition on the part Of the SUPER
intendent to pack boards with special
friends, he can do 1t as well In odd as
In even years. .-u.
! Senator MayfieId's bill to require
| the attorney general to test the consti-
tutionality Of what Is known as the con-
solidation act, is intended to head on
lot Of plaintiffs, who have sought to
make cases against the Southern rail-
road for no other purpose than hope
Of dividing the prospective damages
between themselves and attorneys.
The suits now pending against the
tion Of the South Carolina and Georgia
Extension and other lines. involve PEN
alties of more than $1,000,000. The
general assembly put the railroad In
position where 1t could be sued, and 1t
seems proper that the general assem-
bly, should see that 1t is not unduly
mulcted.
There has been a good deal Of
states rights buncome in the debate
over a proposed general law giving ex-
elusive Jurisdiction, to the Federal gov.
ernment over all property ceded to It:
The general bill was killed; but bill
was passed ceding especially designated
property in Spartanburg, Rock Hill,
Florence, Georgetown and Columbia
The bill carries Federal Jurisdiction
In accordance with the provisions OF
the Federal constitution, but as
matter Of fact all the talk went
for nothing. The constitution Of the
United States calls for exclusive Fed
eral Jurisdiction over all property cedeh
to the United States, and 1t is alb
surd to undertake to even claim con-
current jurisdiction Tor the state; for In
| all cases Of so-called concurrent jurts-
States becomes exclusive. But after
all, it means nothing. The Federal gov
ernment Is prohibited by law from u.s.
ing such property for other than Fed
eral purposes and no violator OF state
laws could find safe refuge from the
state authorities on Federal property.
Another law that excited consider
able interest in the making, Is the anti
treating law. This law makes 1t mis-
demeanor for one man to give voter
a drink of whisky on election day
primary or general-within mile OF
an election precinct. Just what the
effect Of the law will be, we will see
later on; but imagine that liquor will
not be used so openly IN elections
hereafter as heretofore. 1t wiz TAKE
right smart nerve on the part OF
ward 1eeler to try to buy mans vote
with a drink Of whisky when he under
stands that If he fails he will be liable
to punishment in fine not exceeding
500 or labor on the public works not
exceeding thirty days. Ordinarily such
a law would be Of but little effect; but
the man on the other side, especially
the candidate who gets licked, can be
depended upon to bring up such testi-
mony as may be available"
Touching the strenuous fight he MADE
| In behalf Of local self-government,
Senator Brice said that although he
did not consider that he had been en-
tirely successful In what he started out
to do, he thought he had at least won
few concessions. "The object OF my
bill, as originally introduced, he said.
was to prevent the establishment or
a dispensary in any community without
the consent Of that community, and
to provide for the removal OF dtspensa-
ries, where experience showed that they
were undesirable and harmful. was
anxious to secure to all incorporated
towns the right to say whether or not.
dispensaries should be established
within their borders. Upon investiga-
ton learned that there was strong
sentiment among the members OF the
general assembly in support OF the
right Of the people to have say on
such an important matter, but this
sentiment hardly seemed sufficient to
warrant an effort to leave decision
to municipalities. 1t was claimed that
it would never do to establish dispen-
saries outside Of incorporated towns
and where the people Of a county want
ed a dispensary, there must be some
| to this view, I made the fight in behalf
of local option for counties. The bill
provided that upon a petition OF one
fourth of the freeholders to the super
VISOR that official should order an elec-
ton, and dispensaries should be remov-
ed or retained as majority Of the quail
fed voters of the county should decide.
Although there was no question In my
mind Of the overwhelming endorse
ment of the bill in both house and sem
ate, obstacles began to develop from
strange and mysterious sources. The
entire influence Of the dispensary man