The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-02-25
LEGISLATURE ADNURNS.
CLOSE OF THE FORTY DAYS SESSION OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

CLOSE OF THE FORTY DAYS SESSION OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Last Days Witnessed the Usual Rush and Con-
fusion-No New Circuits-Dispensay
Still wields Great influence.
COLUMBIA, February s2.-The general
assembly has. completed its labors fol
1904, having adjourned sine die Saturday
night.
Looking back over this session and the
last, it is quite plain that this legislature
is as far from being radical as any that
has has been elected for ten years. The
house is composed of an average set OF
citizens, men used to work and used to
business, and there are few among them
Of brilliant parts or attainments. Such
men as Mr.. Altamort Moses, of Sumter,
chairman of the ways and means com
mittee; Gov. W. L. Mauldin, of Green
vile; Mr. T. II. Rainsford, of Edgefeld
Mr.. T. Y. Williams, of Lancaster; Mr.
Huger Sinkler, of Charleston-these and
others like them have by reason of their
long public service and intelligence left
their impress upon legislation. Then
there are men of fewer years and more
limited EXPERIENCES who have come to the
front within the last four years, among
them being Speaker Mendel l.. Smith
himself who makes good presiding
officer; Mr. B. A. Morgan, of Greenville
one of the most influential men on the
floor; Mr.. Horace L. Bomar, Of Spartan
burg, one of the clearest thinkers and
strongest speakers. Then there are the
quiet members, such as Gen. W. E. James,
of Darlington, Capt. J. Hampden Brooks,
of Greenwood, Mr.. E. II. Aull, of New
berry, Mr.. Colcock, of Beaufort, Mr..
jeremiah Smith, of Horny, whose infu-
ence is often felt.
The senate contains some very strong
men, men who have had large experience
in public affairs, such as John G. Shep-
pard, of Edgefeld, Robert Aldrich, OF
Barnwell, s. G. Mayfeld, of Bamberg, J.
@. Marshall, of Richland, LeGrand
Walker, of Georgetown, Geo. S. Mower,
of Newberry. Younger men who are
listened to attentively when they speak
are T. NJ. Raysor, of Orangeburg, R. I.
Manning, of Sumter, E. R. McIver, OF
Chesterfield, D. E. Hydrick, of Spartan
burg. Some of these will go out of Office
this year and few of them will not offer
for reelection.
THE LAST DAYS.
During the last days of the session
there is always rush and more or less
confusion. Members whose pet measures
have not been considered endeavored to
get them through at the last moment, and
it requires no little mental agility to keep
tab ON the proceedings. Very often some
"ane Italian hand" puts in the reports of
the conference committees, which decide
the fate of bills upon the amendments to
which the house and senate have not
agreed.
THE CAPITOL CONTROVERSY.
On the very last day the reply of the
commission to complete the capitol was
received, and while its nature had been
expected it created quite stir. 1t is en-
tirely too long for insertion here and no
synopsis would do justice to its vigorous
English.
The assembly has provided for suit to
be brought against the architect and con-
tractors, and the joint committee to con-
duct that suit is composed of Senator
Aldrich and Representative T. Y. Will
liams, both of whom were members OF the
investigating committee. The assembly
has also provided that $45, 900, if so much
be Necessary, shall be expended upon
further repairs to the capitol. This ap-
preparation will be used to remedy defects
in the plumbing, ETC., the condition OF
which is undoubtedly menace to the
health of the occupants of the building.
The bill to provide this money was intro.
duced by Senator Marshall, and the COM
mittee to supervise its expenditure con-
sists of Senator Marshall and Senator
Won Kolnitz and Representatives Moses,
Colcock and Lancaster.
In the closing hours the senate agreed
to the house bill to levy q tax on dogs at
so cents head; the bill to require rail-
roads to transmit freight in reasonable
time after its consignment; to make the
operation of slot machines unlawful; to
tax corporations upon their franchise.
The senate rejected the house bill to
exempt building and loan associations
from taxation, although Senators Won
Kolnitz and Walker made hard fight
for it.
NO NEW CIRCUITS.
Nothing was done towards making any
changes in the court system. The senate,