The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-14
LEGISLATURE OPENS TODAY.
Some of the Important Measures
S.. te Prohb;. E g
SpeciaI 70 Heral arl News

Speclai To Heral aE1 News
' Inn: a. Jan 13.-Witl !H' ~
sembling Of the legislature on Tues
day comes the talk Of politics and OF
politicians. When this general assem-
bly, met for the first time, last year,
it was with the expectation and the
purpose Of abolishi1g the state dis
pensary, to which purpose majofty
Of its members with the governor
were pledged, and the session was
devoted largely to that end. Now the
dispensary is out Of the way and the
legislators can give their attention to
other matters. True, an effort will be
made to enact state prohibition
law and the liquor issue will again
come up for a considerable discus
sion and a parliamentary fight, but
it will not be the absorbing issue. The
indications are that the prohibition
bill will fail and that it will be an
issue in the eection of the next gen.
era assembly. Gov. Ansel will sug-
gest certain amendments to the pres
ent law, which will doubtless be en-
acted.
The governor has said ne will rec
ommend an increase in the tax levy
Of two mills for the purpose Of get
ting the state on a cash basis; he
will also recommend increase in the
| salaries Of the governor and other
officials, the erection Of governors
mansion, and supreme court build
ing, all of which matters will be
threashed out in the two houses.
The governor will also transmit
during the session the proposition OF
President Finley of the Southern as
to reduction Of passenger rates in
this state and the Coast Line will
likely join in this plan. Some legis-
lation to carry tbs reduction into ef=
feet. and to secure uniformity viii be
necessary. There are already on the
calendar a number of bills seeking, to
! regulate the railroads and others still
Will be introduced.
This general assembly is in SYM
pathy with the forward movement IN
education and is disposed to deal IL
berally with the state colleges. AT the
last session, the sum Of $50, 900 was
| voted to start a system Of high
schools aad this money mas accom-
plished good results, although not all
of it has been expended. The work
will doubtless be continued. There
! are several compulsory education
bills pending, one Of which may be
passed, as the sentiment in the GEL
enal assembly has been tending IN
that direction the last few years. The
surplus from the state dispensary,
amounting to not less than $25O,O0o,
perhaps more, may be used for the
schools in some form.
The bill to establish an insurance
department, with commissioner, will
be dressed at this session, having the
backing of the insurance agents asso-
ciation. Comptroller General Jones
has asked for laws governing domes-
tic companies operating under South
Carolina charters.
Thcle is only - ir' rcrtaat e '''
ton place at this sesslo' that Of IN
associate justice ci the supreme co {:
20 succeed Hon. Eugene 3. Gary, W :"
is a candidate for reelect On and W: .
will be opposed by Hon. Thomas P.
Coshra1, rnember Of the house from
C1raenville and oGe of the authors OF
the Carey. "!nra:- Jaw.
This being the second session OF
this general assembly, little or no
time will be taken up with the work
Of organization and each house can
Get down to business without delay
if it will.
From present indications, the ef-
fort to repeal the lien law is apt to
succeed this time. The fight has been
made for years and last year the
house passed a repeal bill, which was
killed in the senate by "a few votes.
There is reason to believe that the
conditions in the senate have some
what changed and that the repeal bill
will pass that body. Akin to this is
the legislation in regard to the farm
labor contract law. which has been
declared unconstitutional by the fed
eral court and which will he passed