Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-07
Tuesday, February I, 1905.
WORK OF THE SENATE.

WORK OF THE SENATE.
Review and Forecast as Seen by Cor
respondent Briee. i
In his weekly review and forecast or
the proceedings of the senate Corre-
spondent P. NJ. Brice writes to the
News and Courier Of yesterday under
date of Sunday as follows:
In the proceedings OF the senate
during the past week two articles
stand out prominently-the defeat OF
the compulsory. educational bill and
the adoption of the Manning-Faysor
dispensary bill. These two subjects
were the most important. perhaps. be-
fore that body and their disposition
leaves the senate free to consider 9th
er measures Of general or local In
terest without being handicapped with
measures Of great concern to the
people unacted upon. -
The defeat Of the compulsory educa-
ton bill was somewhat in the nature
of a surprise. Several senators In
speaking on the measure had an
nounced that they were opposed to the
principle In the bill, but that condi-
tions in the state were such that they
would vote In favor Of 1t, with GER
tain amendments. Various amend
ments were proposed and some with
the object Of multiplying the bill alto
gether were defeated by an usmistak-
able vote. II looked as II the bill
would pass, with amendments. but the
motion to recommit was carried by
safe majority. 1t may be said that
senator's generally recognized the
great evil Of ignorance in the state,
but they felt that the compulsory edu-
cational bill was so contrary to Demo-
cratic principles that they could not
vote for 1t. One senator in explain
ing his vote, privately, said that the
ilIiterates in the state, although num-
bered as $4,000 children, really con-
tanned many adults-and he did not
see now Tic pIONioioiio VI thS SaAA
could be made to apply to them.
AS has been stated in this cores
pondence the senate adopted the pro-
visions Of the Raysor- Manning bill In
reference to the dispensary. The terms
of It are we'll known to the people,
and 1t is unnecessary to again give
the r,royisions of the bill.
It was quite evident from the debate
on this subject, however, that mem-
bers of the senate, do not think the
people would want to abolish the dis
pensary system at present. Bills which
would have had the effect were
promptly killed, and the general desire
seemed to be to make the operations
of the law above suspicion, and 10 pre-
vent, as far as possible, graft" or
corruption in connection with 1t, What
the fate of the bill will be in the house
is problematical but there Is no doubt
about O. general idea prevailing
amongst members of the Legislature
that some changes In the law should
be made looking to ,its better enforce
ment and putting the dispensary above
suspicion, so far az possible, in its
operations.
The Bill of Senator Mauldin. abol-
lshing hotel and beer privileges has
been discussed In the senate, out so
far no action has been taken upon It.
That Is now the only bill bef re the
senate having reference to the dispen-
sary. Early In the week President
Sloan announced the appointment OF
Senators, Blease Of Newberry; Hay Of
Kershaw and Christensen Of Beau
fort. as the committee on the part Of
the house, but judging from express
sions of: opinions Of senators TN the
committee the Investigation Will not
be instituted until some time next
summer about June or July. The
committee will have unlimited time
to make the investigation, and 1t will
be most thorough and complete, II the
senatorial part Of 1t has its way, ac-
cording to statements made by mem
bers Of the committee.
The fertilizer factory bill has not
yet come up for general discussion In
the senate; The report Of the commit
tee, seven against and two in favor,
may be taken as representative Of the
opinion Of the senate. as to the matter,
and there does not seem any pros
pect now that the bill win pass the
senate. ... .r-
A bill of similar character has been
before the legislature yearly for sew
eral years back, but 1t has never re-
ceived the support of those who are
against paternalism in the govern
,ment, particularly, and who do not see
how the fertilizer factory would ac-
complish any good purpose for the
people. -.
It may be taken as a fact that this
Is the only bill before the senate now
of general state interest. There are
numerous bills of Importance ON the
calendar. out taking them all in aH
the main points Of general legisla-
tion have been disposed of. The SEN
ate, therefore, is in a position to de-
bate and act upon bills remaining on
the calendar with due consideration as
to their Importance as these may af-
feet the people. In other words, the
senate having disposed Of the compul-
sorry education bill and the dispensary,
Is now in a position to give all other
bills on the calendar that considera-
ton that Is due them.
The senate will meet again Tues
day at IL o'clock, noon. and thereaf-
ter, 1t may be expected that action on
bills offered will characterize the pro-
ceedings.
MERE.MENTIoN.