The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-02-23
Columbia Letter by Louis ApeIt in
Manning Times.

over so far as 1910 is concerned. This
week has been somewhat strenuous, both
Houses worked night and day and ac-
complished great deal In the way OF re-
ducing the calendars, but still insist that
very little of general Importance has been
accomplished. the fact is there were very
few general bills introduced, and most OF
those were sent to the CARVE yard pos
sibly to be ressurected next year.
The county delegation had meeting to
consider the tax levy, and after going
over the situation carefully it was decided
not to increase the levy as the apparent
conditions require becaue. this being land
returning year, we concluded, instead OF
raising two mills, to put the county on
cash basis, we would only raise the levy
one half mill and let our successors at the
OF the taxable real property, either In
crease or reduce accordidgly.
The delegation received the resignation
Of Mr.. j. D. Gerald as q member OF the
board of County Commissioners, Mr..
Gerald having accepted position which
will take him from home the greater part
Of the year. We unanimously recon-
mended to the Governor the name. OF Mr..
B. P. Broadway former Commissioner,
this was done because OF MIR. BroadWays
experience in county affairs, rather than
10, dG InlS eIaSe VI Che some' PuooiA ono
board.
The delegation also recommended the
present board of registration, composed OF
E. D. Hodge, G. T. Ridgeway and j..
J. Epps, and we also recommended for ap-
pointrnent the township assessors In ac-
cordance with what was recommended to
us by the county auditor, with but two or
three changes. ALI Of the local measures
affecting Clarendon have been completed
with but one exception and that Is a. bill
relating to the Manning School, but tMs -
am assured by the House members will
get through by the first Of next week
The gun license bill which I am oppos-
ing because I believe the principle is
wrong has not yet passed the Senate and
still have hope Of its being killed or at
least e1empting Clarendon from its opera
ton. The Audubon Society fish bills have
passed the Senate. was opposed to parts
Of these measures but the society nad TOO
many friends to help them, and 1t was
useless to try to getin any amendments
that was not approved Of by those repre-.
senting the Audubons, however I still
hope the House will amend these drastic
| bills 80 as to allow little Of the privileges
that people had ever since the days when
my forefathers enjoyed themselves on the
banks Of the river Jordan. II the bills that
went to the House become law, at certain
seasons OI Cuo ycdI IL WILL 10 u ioSeiSohy
| impossible to buy a string Of fish because
it will be against the law to sell, and II
man Is seen by Warden with q string
Of fish, it will be evidence that he has vio-
lated the law and he will have to prove
that he obtained the possession OF the fish
lawfully. In other words Wardan must
be convinced that the party having the
fish, caught them himself with hook and
line, or he will be prosecuted: think !
see trouble cropping out OF this Kind OF
Legislation, and the man who accepts the
job Of Warden will not enjoy the esteem
! of his fellows that I should like to have,
and too If a Warden becomes too active 1t
will not surprise me at any time to read or
hear OF the Reel Foot targedy being re
enacted. I sincerely hope that the House
will strike out the provisions that must
naturally be obnoxious to free people:
There Is no man in the State more opposed
to the wanton destruction OF fish than l
am, and have had passed through the
Senate bill that puts on prohi6itiye IL
cense for the sale OF dynamite. l DO not
know whether this bill will pass the House
or not because through q misunderstand-
ing the committee to whom 1t was refer
red reported it unfavorably, but have the
promise OF the chairman Of that committee
that when is reached on the calendar
he will explain to the House that the re-
report made was through q misapprehen-
sion and he will ask the House to pass the
bill. The House Calendar is good SIZE
book and 1t will be impossible to consider
one-half the bills, therefore l have very
little hope Of the dynamite bill getting
through, and have still less hope OF bill
on the Senate Calendar that provides for.
the paying Of witnesses in the court OF
general sessions This bill WIS introduc-
ed by me late at the suggestion OF our
Clerk of Court, who has experienced a
grave Injustice done to certain witnesses,
they are bound over to attend court and
must attend, but II they do not go on the
stand the circuit Judge cannot certify to
their being material witnesses and hence
home, at more at less expense, cannot get
paw. The bill seeks to correct this injus-
tice, but said it was called to my atten-
tion late and I am afraid cannot get 1t
over to the House in time for 1t to become
Senator Smith Of Hampton had bill
TO provide for High License for the sale
of LIQUOR but it was killed In one two.
three order, the time Is not ripe for such
measures, some OF the advocates OF High
License are about as shortsighted as are
vince them that South Carolina is now
undergoing an experimental season. The
State Dispensary was tried and proved
most horrible night mare. Local Option
was tried and under 1t the people have
prohibition in all but six counties, and now
| the Prohibitionists on the one hand and
the License people on tho other give the
conservative no end OF annoyance and
trouble In constantly bobbing up with
their "isms." II both would let the legis-
lature alone honestly believe q solution
of the LIQUOR problem would be reached IN
due time which would prove satisfactory
to all concerned Right now the democra-
tic principle OF Local Option Is working
wonders for temperance, and II our good
friends, the Prohibs will be patient all
will come around right.
The past few days the political incuba-
tor has hatch ID out brood OF guberna-
torial candidates, among them Is the gen.
tleman from Kershaw, whose announce
ment verifies my prediction three years
ago, when I said that John &. Richards,
the former vehement supporter OF the
State Dispensary, after being defeated In
his effort to hold the people OF the State
to that old stencil pool, would proclaim
himself Prohibitionist and would try to
take the lines out Of the hands Of the
always Prohibitionists to drive the band
wagon into the gubernatorial office" He
has done it, and mark, Richards will keep
Col. Featherstoon busy this summer. /,
at one time, thought Col. Featherstoon
had the governors Office snuely. tucked
away in his vest pocket, only waiting for
Ansel's time to expire and the walk in,
but my mind has undergone g eat chage
since talking to many gentlemen from the
up-country. The fight for the guberna-