The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-24

Senator Kelley stated that the peo-
pie of the State had already spoken
on this matter.
Senator Kelley moved to table the
amendment of Senator Rogers. The
vote resulted:
ensen. Crosson. Earle. Forrest, Gray
don, Hardin. Harvey. Johnstone. Kel-
ley. Lide. Mauldin. McKeithan. Muck
enfuss. Otis. Ralnsford. Stewart, Sui
livan. Summers. Waller. weston-22.
Nays-Appelt. Bass. Bates. Black,
Clifton, Griffin. Hough. Johnson, La
ney. Montgomery. Rogers. Sinkler.
Spivey. Walker--14.
| SO the senate laid on the table the
local option" amendment of Senator
Rogers.
Senator Otis then offered his
amendment. which would give a State
referendum on the question of ellen
law repeal or mo lien law repeal"
II a majority Of the people should
vote for the repeal of the law the
governor should then by order ratify
the repeal. but II the vote is against
the repeal, then It should remain on
the statute books.
Senator Laney favored the referen-
dunn and made extended remarks
thereon.
Senator Weston referred to the
question of local option. which he
said has nothing to do with the mat
ter. ~
| As to Otis amendment. Senator
Weston characterized this as IAN alb
surd proposition"
1T would give the governor the
power to abrogate the law" said Mr..
Weston. "And this Is without paral-
lei. Lien merchants and farmers
would have already made and taken
liens while this matter is being SUBJ
mitted to the people,"
Senator spivey felt that the refer
endum would be happy solution Of
the whole matter.
Senator Muckenfuss thought the
referendum unnecessary as the lien
law was stump ISSUE" The fact
that senators were sent here argues
that their position is indorsed. Why
submit the question to the people? A
light vote. such as IL always the case
In these special elections. would not
necessarily show the true sentiment.
Senator Sullivan moved to lay SEN
ator OTIS amendment on the table.
On this the vote resulted:
Ayes--Carpenter. Christensen. Cros-
son. Earle. Forrest. Graydon, Hardin
Harvey. Hough. Johnstone. Kelley
Lide. Mauidin. McKeithan. Rainsford
Rogers, sinkler. Stewart. Sullivan
Summers. walker. Waller. Weston
-.
Nays-Appelt. Bass. Bates. Black
Carlisle. Clifton. Grifhn. johnson. la.
ney. Montgomery. Otis. Spivey-12.
So the senate tabled the amend.
ment.
Senator Rogers moved to reconsid.
er the motion. whereby the senate
tabled the Otis amendment. and made
a speech thereon. He argued that tho
passage Of the repeal would be heard
In years to come. He has Investigated
the question very thoroughly. Has
found out the right side in this mat
ter. and he made an appeal to the
senate to take care In their action.
Senator Clifton made one of his
characteristic humorous speeches
touching upon the liquor law and 9th.
ar questions Of general interest. He
iinally touched upon the measure in
question, objecting to the forcing up
on the counties the provisions there
Of
The trend OF Senator Clifton's re-
marks was for local self-govern.
ment
Senator Clifton had submitted an
amendment to submit the question OF
lien law or no lien law to the counties
Of the State simultaneously.
There arose some question as to a
disposition OF the matter. 1t was IL
o'clock. and Senator Clifton was still
speaking. A motion to recur to the
morning hour was made and this was
lost by vote OF II to IA.
Senator Griffin explained his posi-
tion on the lien law on a question OF
personal privilege. TIe referred to
the wishes Of the people of his coun-
ty and at the time he had not voted
one way or the other on this question