The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-02-16
AOJ0URNS THIS WEEK.
LEGISLATURE WORKING TO
THAT PROGRAMME.
Large Number of UncOntested Bills
Passed-Mr. Fosters Washerwom-
an Bill Causes Mirtli-Other Mat
tcrS.

terS.
Columbia, Feb. lathe closing
week of the general assembly Chat
is If nothing happens to mar the pro-
gram) opens with a rush to get
through. The senate finance COM
mittee has the appropriation bill; the
supply bill, county government and
magistrates bills are all through the
house, and these latter will consume
| little of the time Of the senate. The
bulk of local legislation is through
and the members are anxious to get
| rid of everything else that can de-
tain them, and while there are many
| measures on the calendar that would
make good laws on the statute books,
| there are many that need never have
taken up the time of the engrossing
department, and rather than run the
chances Of getting something on the
! books that ought not to be there, the
general assembly will stop the mill
to prevent things that ought not to
be there. They will take no chances
while their inclinations lean the short
way out Of the difficulty.
bill that has provoked a great
deal Of mirth in very ordinarily
grave and earnest body, was the bill
I passed Saturday, by Mr.. Foster, TO
make 1t misdemeanor for wash
erwoman to wear any of her patrons
| clothes. 1t passed and may become
| a law on the statute books. Nobody
saw any reason to oppose its passage.
though one objection could have
held it up. The washerwomen of the
country have no lobby at the State
| House and probably did not know
that their time honored prerogatives
| were being endangered. No voice
was raised and the washerwomen of
the country must quit wearing the
| clothes put in their trust to Sunday
school. To this might we'll be added
| cooks carrying home rations from
their employers pantries.
The viciousness of "uncontested leg
islation" was manifested in num-
Der of bills that went through on Sat-
| urday. That legislative dodge is in
| tended to aid local interests in the
general grind of the house, but many
| serious propositions, propositions we'll
! loaded with legal dynamite masquer-
| ade under that head and get or the
statute books to everybodv's surprise
II Is a privilege abused, which may
be plainly seen when one recognizes
the fact that every case that is lost
IN courts in the State is more than
apt to be productive Of a bill in the
Legislature, especially If the losing
attorney is member of the general
assembly, and that member thinks
that the safety Of the ship of state
depends on his maneuvering that bill
through.
The session just ending has been
noted for the entertainments given to
the members. All of the State insti-
tutions except the penitentiary. deaf,
dumb and blind institute and the
negro college have entertained the
general assembly. All Of the COL
leges have had that honor, and the
visits have been delightful and profit
able. The members Of the general
assembly know something of the
State institutions now, even the asy-
lum has been officially visited ty the
5cGy Of the general assembly. The
reformatory at Florence hopes for its
inning next year.
Aside from these receptions there
have been other functions given for
the legislature that have been very
delightful as we'll as beneficial. The
governors reception is an annual
event. but it Is always one of the
| most delightful Of the session. 1t was
particularly pleasant this year. The
reception at the Soldiers Home was
charming, informal event which
was particularly pleasant. The
Daughters of the Confederacy had
that in charge and they always do
everything well. The reception ten
| dered by the chamber of commerce
| OF Columbia was strictly a stag party,
but 1T was mighty interesting one,
| and served to put Columbia and her
| business men and the representatives
Of the State a great deal closer to
| each other in interests.
Another side Of the society life Of