The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-22

Columbia, Jan. 1S.-If the present
house IL disposed to be as conserva-
tive as II appears to want to be. II Is
a mighty careless house. A few days
ago. Monday. 1t allowed bills which
would naturally be expected to pro-
woke the greatest discussion to go
through unchallenged. one of these
was the electric headlight bill which
has been on the calendar since last
session and which Is hard fought by
the railroad interests. II Is signifi-
cant that this bill as 1t passed the
Georgia legislature. is being contest
ed In that State In the court, and the
decision In that State would mater
tally effect matters In this State. No
voice was raised against 1t, however,
and 1t 10 now In the senate. Another
bill affecting railroad rates was passed
at the same time without a murmur
OF opposition. It II very likely that
the senate will hold up these mat
ters. as they showed a disposition
last year to resist the legislation
against railroads. and killed by a de-
cided vote several bills that went
through the house almost unani-
mously.
Another matter in connection with
the railroads Of the State which
promises to be full of tight, Is a bill
requiring the rechartering Of the rx-
isting lines in the State, since the c.
c.. and Q. case Of just repute and
great renown, proved the unconstitu-
tionality Of any charter in this state
which was laot a domestic charter,
and In several instances the Coast
une has walked out Of court with
the assertion that not being a citizen
Of the State Il could not be held a
party In suits being tried therein,
ths last. and the notable one which
prompts the introduction of q bill on
ti.et line. wis In the matter Of tho
fsftilissr rates. In which case the
Coast Lane was enjoined by. the Sea-,
board Air Line along with the. rail.
road commission. from putting into
effect the news fertilizer rates. The
Coast Line denied citizenship, the In.
ference from which action. and from
actions that have been taken In the
past. 1t II concluded that the road
will deny on any occasion that it ap-
pears well to their attorneys, the jur-
tsdiction Of the courts, and means to
have that principle well recognized
BY the courts. Attorneys for the
road will not discuss the matter at
this time. bat there 10 every indica-
ton OF very hot fight should an at
tempt be made to require the Coast
Line to recharter itself in this State.
The road would probably resist to
the last ditch. and the only way to
do would be to watch for q chance to
turn its guns back on II.
Col. John j.. Dargan, whose inter.
est In South Carolina history il SO
well known. IL here to get the legis-
lature to make some recognition Of
the services Of John Laurens. to
whom Warrington publicly attribute
ed the vintory at Yorktown, and whom
our own history. even have neglect
ed. 80 that he with others interested,
may have the grace and face to go
to Washington and ask the recogni-
tion by Congress Of his services at
the court Of France to the struggling
country. 1t Is understood that the
ways and means committee has heard
him favorably and will favor a por-
trait for the State House. A monu-
ment in the center Of one Of the
squares will be asked Of Congress.
The ways and means committee
will probably break the record this
year In the matter Of its bill. They
are having constant and long meet
ings and are making good progress
on the BILL
The fine work that has been done
In the military camps of the State for
the last few years by the Y. NJ. C. A.
has prompted the friends Of the mill
tia to ask for an allowance from the
military appropriation to support
what Will be- called a chaDlain's tent,
which will he for the furtherance of
the work o. the Y. M. c. A. The
work done In the tents on the camp