Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-02-14
THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Body Of State Lawmakers Down at
Wors-Bills THAT Have Been Intro.
drcej.

Body Of State Lawmakers Down at
Work-Bills That Have Been Intro
duced.
When the house met there were sew
eral new bills introduced. Among
the new bills presented were:
MIR. Harrison-To authorize a spe-
cial election for Fountain lin for
the issuance Of bonds:
Mi. MeColl-Ptoposing all amend
ment to the constitution relating to
municipal indebtedness:
MI. Whaley introduced the license
feature Of the Morgan bill as a sep
arate and distinct bill. He did this
so that Charleston may get license
system in the event that the Morgan
bill should by chance fail. The idea
is to<have license bill applicable to
cities of over 100000 in the event that
the Morgan bill should fail. The house
having passed this proviso for Char
lesion it is to be asked to do so again
independent of any other bill. The pro
visions are identical with those of the
Morgan bill as to licenses for cities
of over 100000:
Mr. Cloy-To amend The law so one
bank or corporation can buy stock In
another bank or corporation.
Mr.. Sinkler-To purchase the prem
ises known as the guard house for the
Citadel; $25,O0O is asked from the
State for the purpose.
Mr.. Doar-To authorize the city of
Georgetown to lease property to the
Georgetown Rifle Guards.
Mr.. Brice- To amend the law as to
the State board of examiners.
The report Of the legislative COM
mittee to examine the State house Of
ices was received last night. 1t was
ordered printed without reading it.
This report is of special interest with
regard to the examination of the Of
flee of secretary Of State:
Mr.. foole called up his bill to pro-
vide for 2 IL cent passenger rates.
Mr.. Kershaw of Florence had no in
terest in railroads but he was oppos-
ed to reducing rates without very
good reasons. He believed reduc-
ton of the rates would only result
in injury to the traffic and shipping
facilities. He certainly thought it
would be ill-advised to take such a
radical step at this time. The thing
to do is to remedy evils but 1t was
wrong to reduce rates without verv
good reasons. The people were de-
manding and were getting good ser
vice.
Mr.. Werner said there was no reason
not to reduce rates. The railroad
counsel did not argue anything
against the bill. The only argument
against the bill seemed to be that
there would be no saving to the indi-
vidual. He realized what the rail-
roads have done for the people but the
people did much too and he thought
this reduction would not hurt the
railroads: The roads asked to be left
alone but he did not know if that
ought to be kept up all the time He
generally voted with the railroads and
was not illebcral but he occasionally
voted against the roads and this was
one instance in which he thought OF
wrong to vote with the railroads. He
was opposed to sending SO much mon
ey outside the State. He said the rail
roads were making 10 per cent. on
their investment in this State.
Mr.. Rucker said in the As States
there was not one State that had a
2 1-2 cent rate applied to the entire
State, New York, MassachusettsFand
Connecticut had 2 and 9 1=2 cent
rate on certain roads under their
charters. What is wanted is more
trains, better schedules and safety
To pass this bill means a loss OF
100000 to $500,0O0 to the roads in
passenger revenues. In New York
with over 100000 and a population
of 15O people to the square mile, there
whole. He compared the population
of South Carolina with that Of other
States. In South Carolina the popu.
lation is Al per square mile and a
large uortion Of that is colored. Penn.
sylvania, Maryland and Rhode Is.
land, with thick population, have nc
such rate. He appealed to the house
not to iniure the railroads. The rail.
roads in South Carolina are not max.
ing one cent on their passenger bus.
mess.
In reply TO al inquiry as to mileage
books, he said the roads had the use
of the money for year.
Mr.. Toole Of Aiken said the reduced
passenger rates would be for the ben.
eft of the people and urged that the
railroads would get more travel. The
facilities are good enouph but he
wanted cheaper rates. The time has
come for the State to take step for.
ward. He said the small and side lines
were controlled and owned by the
large roads. The trolley lines. he
said, hauled passengers for less than
2 cents.
On the motion to strike out the en-.
acting words of the bill the vote re.
suited Al to 26 and the house voted
to put South Carolina in class all
to itself with the cheapest passenger
rates applicable to all railroads IN
the State.
Mr. Foster wanted to include Is
mile road in his county and an amed.
ment was adopted making the 2 1-E
cent rate applicable to all roads re.
gardless Of length. Mr.. Toole's bill
cutting passenger rates to 2 1-2 cents
net with even less opposition than he
expected. The burden of the agree.
ment seemed to be that if the passen.
ger rates were reduced the railroads