The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-03-23

Number of Important Bills Enact
ed Into Laws
No Action Taken on the DispenSary
observation-disclosures May Oppose
Tillman for the Senate-Candidates
for Other OfficeS-Progress Of Ben
neffsyiIle-
Correspondence of Messenger.

~
The South Carolina legislature a
short time since adjourned, after 4O
days Of continuous session, during
which time quite a number Of import
ant bills were enacted into law.
The state d~ispensary. as a huge in
stitution. occupied much time n is
discussion, although 1t remains identi-
cally as it was, with the exception of
a new board of control"
The legislature established an exam
liner of state banks with a salary OF
5000 and an assistant with a salary
# S1,5o0. The hanks themselves made
the demand and asked for this state
officer, the banks paying the salaries
themselves. not costing the state any
thing.
Tie South Carolina CO. ege wa 80
ated a university. Winthrop college
vas given 10 days holiday at Christmas
time, against wishes of Senator TILL
man, one of the trustees. John c. Cal
houn's birthday hereafter is to be celc-
brated by all public schools of the state
by observing appropriate exercises, re-
viewing the great statesman's life AMI
characterize date is the 18th Of
Match.
Twenty thousand dollars was appro-
priated towards a state exhibit at the
jamestown exposition next year.
The appropriation for Confederate
pensioners was increased $4,000, and
the law amended regulating applica-
ton for pensions.
twenty-five thousand dollars was ap-
propriated for the purpose of erecting
a monument to John c. Calhoun in the
city of Washington. A small ~appropria-
ton was made towards placing a mon
ument at the grave of General Thomas
Sumter. Congress will do the balance.
In reference to the ~dispensary the
house OF representatives by a majority
Of 16 votes passed a bill to abolish
the state ~dispensary. allowing each
county TO regulate its own liquor bust
ness, by a majority vote say whether
they would have county ~dispensary or
prohibitiOn-simply a local option epill
but Senator Tillman's views n
wishes were endorsed in the state SEN
ate, that body refusing to concur, but
sent back to the house a patched up
state dispensary measure which was
promptly ,e:ecled.
The state dispensary has IN hand,
in the way Of stock Of liquors, nor
than 100000. Many questionable
transactions were uncovered and ex-
posed to the public gaze, such as the
purchasing Of labels and ~dispensary
glass.
This is the first time since 1890 that
Senator Tillman's wishes have been
disregarded when he was very much
in earnest. The senator was in Co.
lumbia during the session Of the legis-
lature twice, one time before the dis
pensary Investigating committee, he
made indirect charges, but proved
nothing, except delivered a political
speech. Tillman may be reelected TO
United States senate, but he will never
be able to elect a ~dispensary legisla-
ture. The people of South Carolina
have decided to abolish the "Grea-
Neral institution" and il must go, the
edict has gone forth.
It is believed by many that Ex-Sel-
ator McLamin will oppose Senator
Tillman. and Nc would make a good
race. There will be several for COVER
uor-Messrs. A. &. Jones. N. L. Smith
~(ex-speaker Of the house of representa-
tives). a good man with many friends:
F.. /. Manning, Robert P. Homer, Cole
l.. Blease, Lieutenant Governor John
G. Sloan, NJ. f. Ansel and others. The
other places will have several seekers.
several already announced, for secre-
tary of state, while Messrs. Mcleod.
of BishOpville, present state senator.
and MIR. S abrook member of the house
from Charleston, are announced for
lieutenant governor.
Colonel w. w. Bruce. of this county,
is u candidate for adjutant inspector
general For four years he filled The
assistants place in that Office. under
General Gary Watts. Colonel Bruce is
a member of the house, very popular,
well educated, makes a fine appearance
and il is generally believed that The
candidate who ear defeat Bruce will
be elected TO command the state mill
tarS.
Bennettsville does not rest or hest
tate in her material development. No
town In the state is making more
rapid, solid and permanent growth.
IL fact Behnettsville is lied win
strangers. Is numerically almost a
city, with already about ALSO popula-
ton, including the cotton mill district.
A $4,000 electric plant, $500. 900 cotton
mill, 10 ton capacity oil mill, novelty
works. The P. A. Hodges steam mod
ern process tannery and harness and
cotton manufacturing enterprise, en-
ploying so hands, with travelling sales
mel on the road. The Star pea hulIer
and shredder, Eagle guano distributor.
Darlington stock cutter, all manufac-
tured here by j. NJ Darlington, an in
ventive genius. he having invented the
pea huller and shredder. The nulle-
lis being sold in 80 states and several
foreign countries. BennettsvilIe e.
present has seven wholesale Grocery
and feed and grain establishments. ali
doing a good business. The town has
Just purchased a fire engine and will
have a volunteer independent fire