The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-22

the senate looking towards uniform
50 as to secure uniform
freight rates.
AS To Convicts.
Senator Wharton, Of LaurenS, has
introduced a bill providing that
prisoners sentenced to not more than
twenty years service shall be liable
to work on the county chain gang.
The law as at present is that prison.
ers sentenced to not more than ten
years shall be liable to such work
leaving it to the discretion of the
county authorities whether to place
such prisoners on the chain gang or
send them to the penitentiary. Sena-
tor Wharton's bill sought to increase
the limit from ten to twenty years.
The bill was reported unfavorably by
the Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Garris has introduced a simil-
ar bill in the house.
Fire Escapes.
A bill has been introduced in the
senate requiring fire escapes to be
provided in hotels Of certain size in
the State.
Unfayorable Report.
Senator Wharton's bill fixing
death as the punishment for attempt
to rape received al unfavorable COM
mittee report. The bill will probably
evoke considerable discussion.
To Guarantee Bank Deposits.
Senator Croft, Of Aiken, has intro
duced a bill fashioned somewhat af-
ter the Oklahoma statute for the
guarantee Of banks deposits.
Mr.. Croft proposes that there shall
oe bank board, which shall include
in it's membership, the governor, at
torney general, State treasurer and
comptroller general. The governor IS
to be chairman Of the board. The
fundamental idea of the proposition
is that all banking institutions shall
pay to this board one per cent Of the
amount Of money on deposit, and this
one per cent Of all deposits shall be
used as guarantee fund for deposl-
tors. The one per cent is to be main
tanned on the anual report OF de-
posts as made by the State bank ex-
aminer and in case the general fund
should be depleted then such detl-
cheney is to be made good and all
banks in the State are to maintain a
one per cent credit on their deposits.
In case Of new banks, which start out
without deposits such banks are to
place with the board three per cent
of their capital stock, which is to be
held for the credit Of the guarantee
fund.
National banks may come in under
the provisions of the Act. There is no
requirement that national banks must
come in under the provisions Of the
Croft bill, but provision is made that
if any national bank voluntarily
wishes to come in under the guaran-
tee law that it can make application
in writing, and then make the depos-
its as do other banks.
Provision is made that banks IN the
guarantee fund shall have the right to
advertise that fact.
ANY bank or other organization
that has complied with the provisions
of the guarantee Act shall be eligible
to act as a depository of State or any
officer thereof, upon compliance with
this and other laws Of the State rela-
tive to the deposit Of public funds.
A Labor Commissioner.
Senator F. H. Weston, Of Rich
land, has introduced a bill providing
for the appointment of commission
er Of labor. who shall collect and
transmit to the general assembly sta
tistical details relating to all depart
ments of labor in this State, such as
the hours Of labor, cost Of LIVING
! amount Of labor required, estimated
number Of persons depending on daily
labor for their support. The bill pro-
v;deS that owners or managers OF
manufacturing establishments shall
be required to give information along
such lines. and imposes a penalty for
/ refusal, and gives the commissioner
power to send for persons or papers
! and administer oaths, and gives him
the right Of free access where tive or
more laborers are employed, and to