Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-03-02

SOME LAWS THAT W.
Changes In Game LAWS opposed
Amendments to Constitution.

4 amendments 10 constitution. a.
Editor OF Courier: The recent ses-
sion Of the General Assembly was q
remarkable one in many respects.
There were more general laws pro-
posed than usual, and less Of them
were finally acted upon than has
generally been the case. It seemed
that most of the session was taken
up In talking. Many of the speeches
were strong and effective. and all
with good temper I will try and
give short statement of the more
important new laws.
Wood alcohol Is permitted to be
manufactured with about the same
restrictions that are thrown around
the manufacture of spirits by the
general government. 1t Is said that
the DUPONT Powder CO. is now erect
ing an alcohol plant at Georgetown
at cost Of about one million dol
airs, and will utilize the sawdust
from the large mills there for that
purpose. This company will use all
that they can produce in the manu-
facture Of smokeless powder. 1t is
said that the new process that will
be used will yield about one gallon of
alcohol from each hundred pounds Of
sawdust, and that the actual cost of
manufacture will be only about six
cents gallon. If this be true, there
Is no good reason why such a plant
could not be operated to advantage
In this section of the State. The big
mill at Georgetown turns out a half
million feet OF lumber every day, and
the sawdust is great nuisance
there. 1t Is also said that this new
process makes the wood alcohol just
as good as a beverage as that made
from grain unless 1t is denatured
(poisoned).
1t Is made misdemeanor to mutt
late any monument, or fence that en-
closes 1t, erected at any grave.
Sheriffs are authorized to appoint
special deputies for fairs, camp meet
ings, hot suppers, "festibuls," etc., in
order to preserve the peace.
School districts that have hereto
fore been organized including terri
tory in two or more counties may
disorganize by action of the boards in
each county.
A public, service com mission is pro-
vided, to be appointed by the Gov
ernor. who will have power, upon ap-
plication Of the towns or cities, to fix
the rates to be charged for water,
gas and electricity.
A chief game warden Is provided
for, whose duty 1t is to see that all
the game and fish laws are enforced,
with a salary Of $1,000, and power
also to appoint as many local war;
dens as he shall want. He is also
allowed $1,000 travelling expenses.
These salaries at present have to be
paid from the fines and other reve-
nues received on account of the game
laws. This means that there will be
something doing In the way Of en-
forcing the game laws this year.
The game season closes through
out the State, Berkeley county alone
excepted, for partridges March 1st.
and opens November 18TH. The gun
license law did not get through.
The joint resolution ratifying the
10th amendment to the Constitution
Of the United States was passed.
There are also several Joint reso-
lutions that passed proposing amend
ments to the State Constitution. Two
OF these propose to amend the con-
stitution so as to have five Supreme
Court Justices instead of four, as at
present. Any one of the four or five
justices must necessarily go over all
Of the record In every case, and to
increase the number will not mate
rally reduce the work that each one
must do. Besides this, the Supreme
Court makes too much law any way.
Their opinions should be cut short in
most instances. We do not believe
that there Is any public necessity to
Increase the number on the Supreme
Bench, but the necessity may arise
In a few years to separate the crlmi-
nal and civil business before the Su-
preme Court. Then will be time
enough to increase the justices. But
the people will pass upon all of these
amendments this fall in the election.
There is another proposed amend
ment that will allow certain towns
and cities to assess abutting property
for street Improvement, providing
that the town shall pay at least one
half OF the cost. This means that
when the landowner Is not able to,
or does not want to, pay for the paw
Ing Of the sidewalks or streets In
front OF his property, the town may
assess the cost against his property,
and make him pay or sell out. There
might be but few hardships under
such law, but we believe it a better
plan to tax all alike where all are
permitted to enjoy the same priyj-
leges. The hundreds of thousands of
dollars piled up in the banks can
more easily pay just proportion for
street improvement than the person
who only owns a residence.
Respectfully, J. r. Earle.
were given, the answers to which
were the names Of Presidents. Mrs.