Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-01-23
Letter FROM SENATORiJ. R. EARLE.
IAxEs WILL PROBABLY BE HleHER--B
AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION OF VAULT.

Columbia, Jan. 22.--Editors Keowee
Courier: Most of the work in legislative
matters up tothe present has been com
mittee work, and this is where most of
the legislationis is done. The time Of the
committees is principally taken up in
hearing the different interests. The
railroads come in for large share of
this time.
In order to defeat, for the time being,
any railroad legislation there has been d
measure proposed to have an investiga-
tion of the railroads of the State. This
will necessarily delay several measures
of relief that are proposed and furnish
opportunity for some legislators to ride
the State over to find out only what they.
should now know. The railroads make
it rule to fight everything that is pro-.
posed; they only want to be- let alone.
When measure is proposed for the
safety of the travelling public, no matter
how little it effects them, they fight it.
We had under consideration a measure
to prevent employees operating trains
from working over twelve hours In
twenty-four hours without eight hours
OF rest. and they opposed this. Yet we
have seen number of wrecks in the last
two or three years which were directly
caused by the employees being on duty
for more than thirty hours continuously.
There are many lives lost on account of
these employees being taxed more than
flesh and blood can stand, and vet it is
difficult to get simple remedy enacted.
The Railroad Commissioners are making
vigorous efforts to improve conditions
and no committee of inexperienced men
can do any more.
From discussion of the lien law yes
terday it looks as though that part of it
which provides for the merchants lien
will be repealed, but the landlords lien
for rent aud 81 lSys will be retained.
The eassed yet, but the sem
time, 80 be so strong that it
looksenRe it will be repealed.
Mr.. Brantley, of Orangeburg, has in
troduced bill to sell the State farms.
This is discussed every year and it is not
likely that it will be done just now. The
convicts this year made about $50 bales
of cotton. Some years they make more
than this. Instead of raising cotton and
making stockings some of us want them
to go to making fertilizers to help the
farmers out.
have received number of letters
urging the passage of the oil inspection
bill, which are encouraging and will no
doubt aid in bringing about this desired
legislation. am glad to receive letters
from those who have seen the necessity
for some restrictions.
bill has been reported favorably
from the Judiciary committee to raise
the pay Of jurors in the Circuit Court
from S1.50 per day to $2.56. If this be-
comes law 1t means about $50 day moro
court expenses and more taxes. Our
county commissioners have been very
modest In their estimates, but at the
very best that we can do, more taxes
will have to be levied. We have not vet
agreed just what will be necessary, but
our levy will likely be increased at least
two mills. The members of the bar are
unanimous in recommending that the
records in the Clerks Office be put in
proper condition, " whhiofh viii require an
appropriation of about $1,000. Then it
will require about $4,000 to make this
office fire-proof. The valuable records
that are in that Office might be swept
away in night and could never be re-
produced.
Several bills to increase the pay of the
judges have be been offered. The sal
aries that are now paid command the
best legal talent in the State and 1 do
not see that it is nc,v a time to raise
them. rhe Chief Justice and Circuit
Judges get $4,000 each and the Associate
Justices get S2,S50. This looks like a
right nice salary, anyway there has been
but one resignation that / recall In many
years. Our judges stand very high as
lawyers and compare very favorably
with the bench of other States.
The bill appropriating ten Thousand
dollars to put the statue of John @. Cal
houn in Statuary Hall, Washington, has
passed the Senate. This appropriation
was asked for by the women of the State.
There is assigned to each State place
for the statue of one of her most illus
trious sons, and South Carolin&s place
has been too long vacant.
The State House grounds have not re-
ceived any attention at the hands of tho
Legislature for many years and are with
out any protection, vehicles of every
kind running over and through them.
An appropriation $4,000 has beop rec
commended as being necessary to prop
erly fence and protect them.
The Comptroller General thinks that
State taxes may be reduced one half mill