The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-03-02

! AS the criticisms all seem to ema-
; nate from, the insurance people, and
to infer that the bill was hastily pass
: ed, without due consideration, ETC.,
;: that it is unjust to them; that its en-
forcement will necessitate all increase
in rates, etc, I desire to submit the
following facts:
/. That the South Carolina State
Firemen association, composed Of
nearly all the fire departments IN the
state, at it's annual convention IN Co
lumbia on October 25th, 1905, openly
discussed, agreed upon and instruct
ed its legislative committee to urge
the passage Of the bill, full notice Of
which was published in the daily
press. At this convention insurance
people were present. the public being
always invited to firemen conven-
tions.
?. That on January Is, 1906, Presl-
dent Jas. D. McNeill, of the National
Firemen's association, and Chief w.
J. May. of the Columbia fire depart
ment. chairman Of the legislative
committee, waited upon Mr.. Selbels
at his office as the representative OF
the insurance interests to discuss the
bill and have them go with them be-
fore the joint committee Of the legls-
lature.
3. That on January 16, the bill was
introduced in the senate by Hon. J. A.
Marshall. senator from Richland
county, and on the 18th by Hon. B.
A. Morgan, representative from
Greenville county in the house.
i. That upon the advice of Presi-
dent Mcneil the bill was allowed to
remain in committee until February
1st (full two weeks) so as to allow
any opposition ample time to enter
protests or objections to the bill.
5. That on February 1st, in the
senate chamber, before the JOINT COM
mittee, President Mcneil, at the re-
quest Of Chairman May and myself,
presented the bill fairly and fully:
and as no one was there in opposition.
we s,1Dposed the bill satisfactory to
every interest.
6. The bill received a unanimous
report from the joint committee IN ia
vor of its enactment.
7. Full text of the bill was publish
ed in the News and Courier Of Feb
ruarv 2, and the Columbia State OF
the same date also mentioned that the
bill was being pressed for enactment
s. Bill passed the senate without
opposition on February 3. Passed
the house February l, and was op-
posed only by the representative from
Cheraw. who desired a recommitment,
which, in view Of the members OF
the house being fully Informed on the
fairness Of the bill, was not granted.
In due time it was enrolled and
ratified. So much for its course
through the legislature.
Now as to the bill itself:
lit is similar to laws in many 9TH
er state, which are giving eminent
satisfaction and whose constitutional
ity is unquestioned.
2. It only applies to cities and
towns having organized fire depart
ments. the value of whose fire fighting
apparatus must not be less than
81, 900.
3. Bill will be an incentive to
towns now without organized fire de-
partments to organize an efficient SER
vice and thereby save the insurance
companies from disastrous losses and
also save the citizens from having to
pay excessive premiums upon their
property.
q. There are over 1000 iremen in
the state, seven-eights of whom are
volunteers, serving absolutely with
out pay, and in many instances even
furnishing their own apparatus, and
this bill simply provides that they
shall be safe-guarded against loss or
time, i. e., by reason Of sickness, dis
ease or injury incurred in the fire ser
vice, or in case Of death, that those
dependent upon them shall be provld-
ed for, or fcs pensions for the old and
disabled in the service, and it furth-
er provides that the money for this
most righteous purpose shall not come
from taxation upon the property or
persons Of the men themselves or OF