The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-11
EXPENSES FOR FUTURE JUDGES
SENATE RECONSIDERS AND PASS
ES CLIFTON BILL.
by Author OF Measure, which at
First Failed by Lieutenant Governor
Voting "NO" - Error i'm Recording
Senator Laney's Vote Discovered
Hence Reconsideration.

Columbia, Feb. S.--Providing that
each of the Circuit Judges of the
State shall receive $500 as annual
travelling expenses, and limiting the
provision of the bill to those Judges
who shall hereafter be elected. the
Senate today passed the very measure
that last night was killed by the vote
OF the presiding officer of the upper
branch Of the General Assembly.
The vote whereby the bill was last
night killed was today reconsiderd
and the measure passed after a stren-
uous constitutional fight. The reason
the bill was again considered today
was that Senator Clifton, the author.
questioned the correctness of the vote
as recorded last night, and sought to
have the vote declared for the pass
age Of the bill. Senator Laney, OF
Chesterfield, had voted AYE" but had
been recorded as voting mo-" but
when the Senate was polled last night
he did not request that his vote be
corrected. He explained today that
he was not paying attention when the
clerk polled the Senate on the vote
last night.
The vote stood 10 to 10, and the
President of the Senate voted no"
killing the bill. When Senator Cliff
ton today called attention to the err
ror the Chair held that, as the result
was announced, and as the Senate had
been polled, nothing could now be
done except that a motion to reconsid-
er would be in order. This motion
was carried and the bill was again un-
der discussion.
Senator Mauldin raised the object
ION that the Constitution provides. in
Section 9 Of Article s, that the COM
pensation Of Judges shall not be in
creased during their term in office. He
concluded that the bill Of Senator
ONSoh oiiiPAy oCChS W eNdue tnlS Sec
tion Of the Constitution. Upon this
there were conflicting views, it be-
ing contended that even under Sem
ator Clifton's bill the travelling expen-
ses. If considered compensation, could
not apply to those Circuit Judges now.
in office.
However. in order to clarity the
constitutional question, an, amend
ment was proposed by Senator Laney,
Of Chesterfield, to the effect that the
provisions of the Act shall apply to
Circuit Judges to be hereafter elected.
On a motion to continue the entire
bill the vote resulted 22 to 10 against
the continuing, and the bill then pass
ed third reading and was ordered sent
to the House.
There was discussion as to wheth-
er Judge Copes, Of Orangeburg, would
come within the provisions Of this bill
now. He has been elected, but not
commissioned. This discussion did
ioI dIiSc upon the moor or the Sen
ate. but was heard out in the Senate.
lobby, being talked among the law
yers.
The bill Of Senator Clifton giving
the Circuit Judges $500 travelling ex-
penses is given because Of the num-
Der of Courts that are now being held
and the cost of living and travelling
about
Senator Mauldin, Of Greenville.
while opposed on the constitutional
ground to the bill, would favor a di-
rect raise in the Circuit Judges pay,
OF course, not to take effect during
the term Of any now Judges, this pro-
vision not extending to Circuit Judges
reelected.
Likewise does the bill Of Senator
Clifton not extend to Circuit Judges
now in office, but who may be later
reelected when their terms expire.