Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-02-03
IN rm of,ynUAL ASSEMBLY,.
No A>sorato Justice Elected Yet.
ihru iaw Rcpcaled.


net results of this session OF the Gen
eral Assembly are not yet seen by
those on the outside. No measure
has yet received the final touch nee
essary before becoming law. A num-
ber Of bills have passed both houses
and are ready to be ratified, but they
are onIy local in their effect.
The join resolution to amend the
constitution so as to increase the
number of Justices in the Supreme
Court to five instead of four was
the subject of much discussion dur
ing the past week. There were fif-
teen Seators voting against this mea-
sure and twenty-five for 1t. 1t failed
to receive the necessary two-thirds
to secure its passage, but as 1t only
requires a majority to reconsider the
vote, those who favor 1T can take up
and vote on it when they please. 1t
is claimed that the Supreme Court is
very badly over-worked at present,
and that the even number often
causes the erroneous ruling of the
Circuit Judge to stand as the law.
On the other hand it is claimed that
an increase in the number of Jus
tees will not relieve them OF work
because it is the duty OF every one
Of them to thoroughly study the cases
before he concurs In the written opin-
ion; and that the Circuit Judge who
tries the cause observes the appear
ancc OF the witnesses and sees every
move on the stand is better able TO
apply the law than one who must
read the facts in print. There are
many things that occur in the hear
ing Of cause that cannot be de-
scribed in cold type. The present
constitutional arrangement of our
courts, we think, Is an excellent one,
and should not be changed without
better reasons than now exist 1t
seems that every effort is made to
Increase offices on every side, which
we oppose unless there should be a
corresponding benefit to be received
by the public. The whole State Capt.
tol can be filed with officers-one to
watch or check another and the tax
payer will never receive a cents ben
eft.
The bill to repeal the law provid-
ing merchants lien on the crop for
his advances has passed the House
by larger vote than ever before. 1t
is said that several votes have been
gained for II in the Senate, and If
true, 1t will pass the bill. 1t will not
take effect until the first of next Jan
uary, so as to allow the arrange
ments for the present year to be car
ried out. In fact, we do not think
this change will be very noticeable
one. 1t may induce the raising of
more supplies at home, and If this
should be the result it will benefit
every one, but it will not likely have
a perceptible effect on the labor of
the country.
The mnocent-looking little bill
that | introduced to prevent the will
full casting Of sawdust in the running
streams has caused considerable
amount OF discussion. 1t is already
a violation Of law to put sawdust in
a stream, but it has been shown to
be injurious to fish. The United
States authorities have shown that
it would kill the fish, and besides
this many persons have seen the ac-
tual effect of it. Sawdust will kill
practically all the fish in stream
within month.
There is serious diSsention in the
ranks OF the Prohibitionists Just
now, and it is uncertain what the re-
suit will be. There haS been no dis
cussion of the liquor problem yet.
Many bills are pending in each house,
and they will probably all be taken
up together later on.
The General Assembly has been
trying for several days to elect an
Associate Justice to succeed Hon. Ira
= Jones. After ten ballots we seem
to be as far from it as at first. 1t is
a very serious matter, though, to
choose man that must have the
power to finally pass upon the rights
OF the people. Judges, as is said,
cannot be dehumanized. They NAV
rise above their surroundings and
decide cases from the standpoint Of
humanity, but this is expecting a
great deal of them. We are all more
or less creatures of environment and
likely to see things according to our
experiences. This is proved every
session in the General Assembly
when we see the members Of that
BODY who represent the railroads and
other large corporations speaking
and voting for their clients inter
ests. He who cannot rise above his
prejudices in a law-makinf body will
not likely rise above them on the
bench. When every phase Of the sit
uat1on Is viewed it is a grave situa-
ton. Our uppermost desire Is al
ways to select man who represents
all classes rather than the classes.
] am glad to receive letters from
all and will answer when time per-
mlts. Respectfully,
i r EarIo