The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-02-10
CAPITOL CORRESPONDENTS.
Senate Chamber,

ColuGlb bia, S. c., February Sth, 1909.
Another week of incessant grind has
been passed, with very little actual re-
suits accomplished. am chairman Of
the Enrolled bills committee. and in re-
sponse 70 an inquiry made by me to the
engrossing department for report on
the humber OF bills ready for ra.itca-
ton. | was astounded to iod that out OF
some eight hundred bills introduced.
only ten Acts are ready TO be ratified,
and five OF these are bills Of which am
the author. This IS one OF the most re-
markable conditions known TO the his
tory Of the General Assembly after three
weeks OF legislation.
The deadlock for associate Justice :e-
mains unbrokcn, Notwithstanding the
withdrawal from the race OF Judges
Watts and Gage. II the withdrawal CT
these gentlemen has had any effect, 1t
was only TO cement the deadlock. The
remaining candidates EH-Gov. John c.
Shepperd, Judge D. y. Hydrick and
Hon. T. P. Cothrau are running neck
and neck, with very little sign of a
change, either by one OF them withdraw
ing out OF consideration for the welfare
VI pJC SldlC. IuO! = - Nv etOooV VI o'i'o
contest having its demoralizing etfe"v
upon iaw.making and REGARDING the i'm
portant business OF the session.
| am sure the sentiment OF the people
farors the election of Shepperd. not on
ly because he is very dignitieG aud
able iurist and would reflect great cred
i: to the bench. but because he has ner-
er received the reward for valuable SER
vices rendered South Carolina. when
the services OF men were needed, and [
feel that the opportunity at this time
presents itself TO award merit, and so
far as | am concerned | propose 10 do
whatI can for the election OF Mr.. Shep-
perd. The joint assembly recoagenes
again Tuesday when we will have aro-
vher seige OF ballotlng: just what the
final outcome will be cannot be foretold.
Every bill introduced by me in the
senate with the exception of Two has
passed both Houses. The exceptions are,
one for the reopening of the dispensary,
this substituted with another bill pro
vi0ing for commissioner TO wind the
institution up, the substitute after d
hard anG bitter fight passed the senate,
and is now on the House Calendar.
have done my full duty in this matter,
and should it fail OF passage in the
House, the responsibility will not rest
upon me.
This has been perpleNing contest:
the dill that l have succeeded in pass
iug is the result OF compromise. 1t has
features about it which, in my opinion,
will no5 give our taxpayers all OF the re-
lief I you'd like for them TO have. In
my judgment. asa business proposition,
the concern should be reopened and the
stock sold at retail iu order that the
taxpayers should receive the benefit of
(, profit. bat this is objected to by some
VINO are religiously opposed TO the sale,
and also oY persons who have political
aspirations. It being my purpose only
to dispose OF the stock and convert it in
to money, consented 20 make conces-
sionS that should be satisfactory to the
sincere Prohibilionists-tne political
prohibitionists are not being considered
by me at all, the tact IS I have little pa
tieoce with them. could have forced
ny original bill through the senate-to
reopen the dispensary 10 sell at retail,
but out of respect to the wishes of sin
cere Prohibitionists only, changed my
bill and action. While on this subject
| think it proper to state that MesSrs.
Dingie and Green OF the House would
have given my original earnest support,
had il passed the senate. and I was as
sured by number OF House members
that they would stand by Dingle and
Green regardless of the wishes OF other
influences or interference from any
source.
The bill as passed the senate is as fol-
lows:
Section l. That Immediately upon the ap.
provaI OF this ACT the Governor. upon recon-
nendarioa OF the Clarendon Delegation IN the
General ASSEMBLY. shall appoint one person
who SEall be . citizen OF the County OF Clac-
en6on, 70 be known rs the County DlSpenSary
into bond 70 the County Commissioners Of said
County q the sum OF 5000. in surety com.
pGDy. said bond to be approved by the Ciesk Of
Court OF said county.
Section > That the present Board OF Con
tro, OF said county is hereby required upon
presentation OF his commission from the Cover
nor, to turn over 70 said commissioner al OF the
Stocl; OF goods, moneys. 6NtureS books, papers
psnSary OF Clarendon County. taking MS recelp.
1or the same.
section 5. That said commissioner IS
authorized. and is hereby empowered and re-
stock ard Otia@- goods belonging 10 said dis
penSary il Clarendon County az the earliest
possible moment. upon such terms and at such
prices as may oe deemed most expedlect 10 him,
at wholesale Only. and not 10 persons who are
residents OF L County where dispenSarieS have
been voted out.
Section /. That dispensaries now in opera
tioN in this STATE in those counties where dis
nv.
permitted 10 purchase said stock OF goods. cr
any part thereof. at any time. without the for
uality OF sealed bids when the price OF same
shall be not more than said dispenSarles are
accustomed TO paying for the same or similar
goods.
Section s. That the net proceeds arising
from the sale and disposition Of said stock and
property shall be turned over To the County
Treasurer OF sad county, 70 De divided and
applied Is row required by law.
Section g. That SAID commissioner shall.
before turning said money into the treasury,
pay the just Gains against said diSpensary. and
IOr his services rs sud commissioner shall re-
ceive 4 commission OF three per cent. OF the
gross sales and shall be allowed TO pay the
cost OF his Official bond. and upon the cOnciu-
sion Of his duties as said commissioner he shall
file with the Clerk of Court OF said county IN
itemized sworn stateIea. Of al receipts aris.
inS from SAID sale and the disbursements and
expenses pertaining 70 the same.
Section Z. That all Acts and parts Of Acts
are hereby repealed.
The only other bill of mine which has
not yet passed the senate is one provid-
ing for a license upon liquor drummers.
This bill is now pending in the senate,
and is the subject Of a hlibuSter led by
senator Clifton of Sumter. He is max
ing hard fight TO prevent its passage,
just why he should be willing for liquor
drummers to continue TO prosecute their
business without contributing to the
support OF the government is d mystery.
He is a hard tighter and not without
shrewdness. Mr. Clifton realizes the
bill Will pass the senate by q large ma
joriJy when a vote is reached, but his
game is TO block all other matters and
talk the bill to death, in this think he
will lind himself mistaken because the
senate proposes TO pass the bill just as
soon as Mr. Clifton sits down. He spoke
Two hours today, and on account OF the
senators wishing TO spend Sunday as
home d majority yielded TO a motion to