The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-10
able division of it. He was quite a
novel visitor to the Senate and MS
presence was an interesting event.

nr6S6nc0 WSS du 1uGo30SeAA5 OFGAos
Columbia, Feb. AIN the House
today considerable effective work was
done.
The bill creating an Insurance de-
partment, with commissioner, at q
salary Of S1,803, was passed. The
salary is to be paid by special levy
upon the insurance companies, which
seemed to be entirely agreeable to
them.
Second. The bill which permits the
return of the Southeastern Tariff
Association into this State vas passed
to its third reading with provision
that it can return here to do business
under certain, restrictions, and that
the proposed insurance commissioner
shall have control over the rates to
certain degree.
Third. The policy Of the General
Assembly seems to be to create scholar
ships and to provide ample means
with which the scholarships shall be
made self-supporting. In line with
the recent action of the House, pro-
viding for 124 scholarships for Glenn
son, today the same policy was adopt
ed with reference to Winthrop College,
and an equal number of scholarships
were provided with the same induce
ment. Of 800. Last year, the bill was
killed by provision being made that
this additional scholarship fund should
come out. Of the current appropriation
for Winthrop, but this year it was
decided to take the money from the
general treasury Of the State.
Fourth. The bill looking to the
regulation of bicycles and automobiles
on the public highways was given its
second reading in the House today.
The flood of new bills confines and
today quite number Of important
measures we're proposed.
Mr.. DesChamps' bill which is OF
considerable importance. and which
provides for an experimental station
in each county, if desired, was passed
without any opposi sition.
The franchise tax bill proposed oy
the tax commission passed the House
toniaht, SO to 18. It imposes three
mills on gross earnings Of public
utilities and one half mill on capital
stock Of all corporations doing business
in ScRth Carolina.
At the night session number OF
the House committee reports we're re-
ceived, among them favorable re-
port on Mr.. Seabreok's bill, as to
boundaries on tide water.
The armory bill was reported favor,
ably, with an amendment proposing
that the armory might be built on
State property, if deemed advisable.
The bill would be better If it did not
propose to use any of the States lands.
The House has agreed to the Senate
amendments to Mr.. DeBFuhfs baby
carriage bill.
Mr.. Bomar moved to strike out the
enacting words of the bill: y
Mr.. Pollock wanted the bill read.
Mr. Moses, as member Of the ta2
commission, took up the license o!
franchise tax. The commission founc
that the system Of license tax was
working we'll. The commission die
not think that the proposed tax was
burdensome. The members must
prepare to pass such a bill or be pre-
pared to raise the levy ore-haif mill.
The railroads. will have to pay tbe
bulk Of this tax, and they are willing,
The banks and cotton mills are the
other largest interests, and they are
to be taxed one-half mill. and it is as
kbroad as it is long, if they pay by
direct levy or by this franchise tax.
He said the full financial condition
| of the State has already been fully
shown and the whole status is that
something has to be done to get the
State on cash basis. There has K
be one or another method adopted.
direct or indirect taxation. The pre-
sent State levy is now one of the larg
est ia the country. Mr.. Kibler asked
| how much this bill will raise.
Mr.. Moses said a request was made
| for statement of all the charters II
the State. No such request is avail
able. The best advice was that thi.
bill, if passed. will raise $50, 600, ane
it will raise $50. 000 on the railroad:
alone, and they are not opposing thl'
bill. There is no deficit, but the
State is year behind and the State il
appropriating $50, 600 to $50. 600 more
than its present income. The raid
roads object to the manner OF assess
ment, but not to the amount OF the
tax.
Mr.. q. L. Bomar. of Spartanburg;
spoke against the bill.
Mr.. W. J. Johnson, said this bill
! would bring on the tax books propert!
that was not paying taxes, and second
the State needs and must have the
| money. The principle of franchise
| taxation is nothing new. New Yorl
has it, and New York is the father O.
all corporation law. Roosevelt, wheI
| Governor. found that the workingmar
| was overbardened. The Legislaturt
| was called and the evil was remedied
Tue matter was fought through the
Courts, but the law was Gnally nphele
BY the Supreme Court Of the United
fSsases. Ohio, the home of Mari
Hsnns,s the arch-enemy of the people
has the same Law. The corporaticnl
of New Jersey are contributing $500,
coo annually for the support Of tn
Government. In South Carolina w
raise practically all our tax by direc
taxation. We are Borrowing toda!