The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-12-22
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FACES
LONG LIST OF NEW BILLS
CeRvening Of Legislature on January y
Causes Speculation - Several
Measures Brought Over.

Columbia, Dec. 21.-It Is a or1ef
span Of time to January 8. That Is
the date on which the genera assem-
bly, of South Carolina will me 1t. 1t
as the second session of the present
body. Under such conditions the
measures that have been left over from
the first session will be under consid-
eJation.,
The first question that will be asked
fs: What will be done? The outlook
now is that but little will be done. 1t
! will, OF course, be busy session. with
ali of the pending elections, the en-
aetment: Of the code, the considera-
lion Of the yetoes that will be reported
; Ay Governor Blease and the normal
! amount OF legislation that will be nee
! essary for fast growing State.
: It has: been said year after year that
II the general assembly we're to meet,
! pass the general appropriation olll'
!: provide funds through supply bill and
!; then adjourn, that the State would be
Best serTed. It has been said time and
sgain that there are too many laws
, On the statute books now, that TOO
:utany ofsthem are not properly enforc-
ed. but this appears to have but little
effect, for year after year a volume OF OF
*more than 400 printed spagessands its
way to the public printer as result
of the work Of the session. ITO stop
tinkerinS with existing laws would be
ia real Utopian dream, but there ara
;175 measures, of more or less import
:ance, onathe house side that have been
left over for consideration at the ap-
.proaching session, to say nothing of
the bills that have been "held up by
the governor.
The first business of the assembly
after it settles down will be to act
.upon the various bills that are likely
10 be returned with the veto OF Gov.
Blease, although he has the right to
let any measure he might now have On
hand become the law of the State.
Among the more impo-' ant acts that
have passed both legislative branches
and that are without the governors
approval are:
The bill to provide for an investi-
cation of the affairs of the State dis
pensary and commission.
The act that was passed at the So
icitation; of the newspapers OF the
State to protect themselves against
accidental or unintentional libel.
The "shoestring" county bill.
The act providing for an election by
the voters of Charleston to determine
whether they wished a commission
form of government and a similar act
adapted to Chester and other cities.
The act relative to the distribution
Of the old dispensary funds.
There have been repeated sugges-
tons that this will be a stormy ses-
sion; that there will be Impeachment
proceedings and the like. This is
largely talk, and if there is anything
taking definite shape, those who are
handling the movement are keeping
things very quiet and holding their
power in reserve. 1t is, perhaps, just
as we'll not to count on too much OF
this class of fire works as side di-
version.
The election of many judges, how
ever, will give members a consider
able diversion. When the session be-
gins, the resignation of Chief Justice
Ira B. Jones will be in hand, and if
The members expect to get down to
business the sooner they have and get
through with their elections the bet
:er for their peace Of mind.
Fortunately, the rs1'a! contention of
the past 20 years will be avoided.
There will be no agitation of the IL
quor question. There is not the shad-
ow Of a possibility of materially
changing the present status, as much
as it may be necessary or advisable to
do so. Some of the counties that may
be disguised with present conditions
and the heavy tolls that are being
paid outside dealers may want tot
change conditions by having an elec-
ton to try and re-enter the dispensary
columns. There is, however, no symp-
tom of a general change or even of its