The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-23

but this WAS not considered.
Senator Clifton stated that it
would be equally as much trouble for
a man no exchange mileage for 80
mile run as for 2 longer ride. But it
was pointed out that the smaller
roads do not sell mileage.
Upon Senator Mauldin' S motion to
indefinitely postpone the bill the vote
resulted:
Yeas-Bass. Carpenter, Clifton.
Kelley, Mauldin. Stewart, Summers.
Townsend, Waller, Weston-lO.
Nays-Appeltt, Bates, Black. Car
Isle, Croft, Crosson. Forrest, Gray
don, Hardin, Harvey, Johnstone,
Laney, Lide, McCown, Mckeithan,
Montgomery. Rogers. Sullivan, Rains
ford, Otts-2O.
The bill was then ordered to third
reading.
The Bill as Passed.
"That in case any railroad COM
pany or companies shall put on sale
anv form of mileage book at a rate
not exceeding 2 - cents a mile the
presentation Of the current number
of miles by the short route, out Of the
said book to the conductor or other
officers authorized to take up tickets
on trains. shall entitle the person
holding said mileage to travel on the
trains of the railroad company sell
ing said mileage, and on the trains of
all other railroad companies on which
by agreement the. said mileage book
is receivable in exchange for trans
portation. And upon presentation of
his mileage to any agent of. said COM
pany or companies to have his bag
gage checked as now provided for by
law"
This is the bill as it now stands on
third reading. Of course, there may
be amendments on the third reading,
and the senate may, or may not, then,
affirm its action.
The railroad rate bill has created
much discussion in and out OF the
general assembly. The measure has
been much talked of on the streets
and at the capitol.
The first section of the bill which
was stricken out by the senate pro-
vided: "That from and after the
first day Of April, 1909, the legal
maximum rate for carrying passen-
gers in this State by all railroads
over forty miles in length in this
State, shall be 2 IL cents per mile,
computed by the shorest route, and
no more
Those members of the senate who
voted against this section Of the bill
did so, for the most part, because
they felt that this would not be in
keeping with the tacit agreement
made at the last session of the leg
islature with the railroads. The leg
islature, it was felt, by its non-aetion,
has agreed to the proposition offered
by the roads which is in effect until
April l, 1900.
Hard Fought Bill.
The main proponent of the bill was
Senator Graydon, of Abbeville, who
made some strong arguments in its
favor. He comtended in part, that
there was no agreement Of any kind
made at the last session by which the
senate should feel bound.
Senator Walker made the principal
speech against the railroad rate bill.
Mr.. Walkers remarks were directed
in the channel that the legislature
had made a moral contract with the
railroads last year, when the COVER
nor and the officials of the various
railroad companies had conferrt i TO-
gether, and the governor had sub
tnitted his recommendation for no
legislation to the general assembly.
Mr.. Walker also argued that it was
not right for the legislature TO inter-
fere with the business methods OF The
railroads in the mileage section of the
bill.
The drum1ners have got what they
asked for. that is to say, hereafter,
= ided there is no further changes
Z de in the bill, mileage must be TAX
en- upon the trains, instead Of 1t be-
ing necessary to exchange mileage
for tickets. The railroads may and
can withdraw mileage books altogeth-
e. if they cannot sell it under such
restrictions as they think proper I'd