The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-02-08

now, have been very tenderly regard
ed Ia great variety OF subjects that
have been discussed in the assem- bly,
SO far. Such legislation will
affect this class principally, but even
tually uplifts it and benefit and
strengthen it and help it to stand
surefooted in the satuggle for physical
and mental and spitual advancement,
and the mill operatives real friend,
he who has the courage to stand
against the present current OF the shift
less and loafng class among them who
/ live and even dissipate on the eanings
/ of their women and childen, will be
needed in the near future. The great
| difference betewen the influence of the
educated and that of the uneducated
members of this assembly itself is a
most eloquent argument in favor OF
compulsory education, although be it
said to their everlasting ';edit that
some of the best, most reliable and
clearsighted and otherwise best equip
ped members are those who had scant
opportunity, and those were found
lined up on the side Of this sort OF
legigslation, as they are always found
favoring higher education and better
/ common schools. Although number
of good men voted gainst the measure,
some whose motives are always re-
epected and whose Judgment is valued.
!, The senate being smaller body
moves more rapid than the house, which
| works more hours, and the upper
branch of the assembly is generally
| the first to go on record in important
matters. It is not unlikely that the
/ senate's action on compulsory educa-
tion largely Influenced the house,
! which took the matter up day or SO
after the senate had killed the Ray
sor bills although 1t was never more
thans a question of the size OF the
majority. The senate has taken action
On the dispensary, having passed the
| Raysor bill with amendments from
| the Manning bill. After the decided
| ictory of the opponents to the Brice
1 bill providing for local option as to
dispensaries, it was thought hardly
| probable that the senate would 60 so
far as to give the appointment of the
board to the governor, though few
doubted chat there would be decided
changes regarding the manner Of max
| ing purchases, which the senates bill
requires must be made quarterly
and in accordance with secret num-
bered bid scheme, and with advertise
ment both before and after the awards
are made.
All bills relating to the dispensary
are now due, in fact have been over
| due since last Tuesday, as a special
order in the house, and will Doubt
less be waded into early this week.
The most Important, of course, is the
committee's substitute bill, which has
been fully outlined in this correspond
ence. Ut is practically the same as the
Raysor bill passed by the senate, ex-
cept that the directors are elected by
the general ASSEMBLY. Among the
other bills the first on the list is Mr..
Brantley's, the text of which is large
ly used in the substitute. Then there
IS one by Mr.. Toole of Aiken repeal
ing the proviso of section seven of the
act of 1896 regarding the tax levy
and school fund forfeitures on the part
of counties voting out the dispensay.
Then comes one by Mr.. LaFitte pro-
viding for popular election OF dispen-
sers, which is doomed to defeat.
Then there is one by Mr.. Ford giving
the governor a half mill levy in those
counties he finds is not enforcing the
law to be used for making, special
efforts to carry out the law. This
seems to have been directed againts
Charleston. It has been unfayorably
reported and will fail. Perhaps the
most radical bill on the subject is
that of Mr.. j. E. Beamguard of York,
one of the most ardent advocates of
the system in the house. II it were
enacted into law and enforced-don't
forget the "and enof,ced"-it would
break up thes jug trade, against
which it is aimed. The bill elimi-
mates fines altogether and provides
that any violation of the law lis
hereby prohibited under penalty of
not less than three nor more than II
months at hard labor in the peniten-
tiary, in the discretion of the court,
for each offense. All alcoholic liquors
in this State, whether manufactured
within the State or elsewhere, not
having been tested by tho chemist of
the South Carolina college and found
to be pure and free from hurtful,
poisonous and deletsrious matters, are
hereby declared to be Of detrimental
character and their use and consump-
tion are against the morals, good
health and safety of the State, and all
such liquors may be seized wherever
found, without a warrant, and dis
posed of as hereafter provided. - The
| bill further provides that anyone in
tending to have liquors shipped TO
him from outside the State s5all pro-
| cure certificate of purity from the
State chemist, who is required under
penalty of a fine of 500 to examine
all samples sent him, the expense of
the examination to be borne by the
State board of directors. This certif-
cate is to accompany the shipment.
and certificate is TO be used for but
one Importation. Any improper use
of it, or false statement mace to Sc
cure it, is to be punished by fine of
not less than sl00 or imprisonment
for not less than 80 days. Anyone
convicted of selling stuff imported IN
der the provisions of the bill is to
..Go. 301hlo rho pcraltv fnr other