The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-26

Columbia, Jan. 24-The refusal OF
the house to pass the Hydrick anti
crop mortgage bill does not mean
that the house, after several wears
in succession, having passed the re-
peal of the lien law, has repented
Of Its action and reversed itself, It
merely means that the house, as rep
resented by majority of those who
changed their positions in this mat
ter, was disposed to be conservative.
The repeal Of the lien law was de-
manded because it was held that such
q statute was not a proper one on the
books. That having been repealed
1t is the desire Of those repaling it to
see the effect on business, which can
not be seen until after the settling up
time next fall. 1t was energetically
insisted both during the discussions
on the repeal Of the lien law and this
latter bill, that both would be neces-
sary II 1t were desired to work any
reform in the methods Of doing bus
mess on the farm, but the more con-
servative members Of the house hesi-
tated to break what is a constitu-
tional right on a chance Of making
matters worse. Were it a question
OF the reenactment of the lien law
the vote would be just about what it
was last session and the session be-
fore.
1t is very gratifying to those who
urged the change Of the terms of the
county supervisors and superinten-
dents of education to four years to
note the fact that many of those
counties which secured exemption
from the provisions Of this bill.
which was urged as a reform in do
Iiestic politics, coming back and ask
ing to be included within its pro-
visions. At the sarne time it is dis
appointing to note the number of
counties that are coming before the
assembly asking to have their form
OF county government changed from
the established form. so that regular
ity In the government Of the State,
stability In forms and systems seems
to be an irridescent dream. Local
oRtioneis demanded in everythlng ,ex-
seSsse &HSs ssafes of iiqudf ana That tfSt
growing majority. or what seem to
be a growing majority, desirse those
who favor the private sale Of liquor,
are beginning already to agitate the
general breaking -, down of barriers
In the State and III prohibition does
not keep liquor out, and il the funds
run low and the taxes high there is
going to be a campaign on those
lines SO no one need hope that the
liquor question is to be laid to rest.
There Is plenty Of precedent for a re-
turn to the sale Of liquor after trial
and disappointment. The local op-
tionists are being urged to make a
desperate stand against the injustice
Of Statewide bill after the refren-
dunn Of the last session, and they
may fight hard, or, if they lack a
leader with grit and ability, may sur
render after a skirmish. That is
hardly likely. however.
The significance of the asylum in
vestigation is just beginning to be ap-
preciated by the members Of the gen.
eral assembly. The report Of the
commission is being very generally
discussed now, and all sorts Of COM
m, 1t, favorable and unfavorable to
all concerned, are made, some criti-
else the commission as severely as
the commission criticises the manage
ment. No one, however, has anything
but most generous expressions for
DR.. Babcock personally. It seems to
be the opinion Of all, even those who
agree that the state Of affairs at the
asylum are most disgraceful, that DR..
Babcock has lacked administrative
aDlilty, ana has been guilty Of no
greater wrong than lack of attention
to the affairs of the institution, the
board is criticised for its perfunctory
examinations, and the routine exam
nations of State institutions by COM
mittee has been roundly condemned.
There has been no action taken or
planned, SO far as can be learned,
by either side, except the bill of the
majority Of the committee to appiont
board Of charities and corrections
for the State, already noted. The
friends Of the management are on
the defensive, wholly.
1t Is interesting to note the flood
Of bills that have been introduced