The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-11
HARMONY TALK AN IDLE DREAM,
No CHANCES OF APPROACHING
SESSION BEING \ PEACE
ABLE ONE
supporters of Two SIDES Marshalline
Forces for Coming COntest-Char-
lesion situation Is Attracting Atten-.
ton

Columbia, Jan. 5.-Some people in
this State are talking about the har-
mony session of the general assembly.
This is all idle talk, for the very life
OF the South Carolina general. assem-
bly, is the talking which deveN ps into
hot factional fights. There never has
been a Harmony session" Of the
South Carolina general assembly and
there never will be, until all of the
loud talking politicians have passed
from the arena. The chances are
they never will-so there you are.
There are plenty of brainy men in
the body, but they are literally smoth-
cred when the ranting time comes
along. The one definite subject for
talk has not been decided upon so far,
but some one will find it. That sub
Ject is going to bob up, and the mass
of legislators will follow it blindy.
Whiskey has been the talking subject
for many years, and now it is some
thing else. The people in this State
just love politics, and politics they
must have.
The present governor of South
Carolina is absolutely dependable in
one particular-that is to start some
thing. He would never consent to a
harmony session. Just as sure as
twice two is four he will start some
thing and the wise ones here are of
the opinion that it will be started
with his annual message.
Someone said the other day that
! this was going to be a quiet session.
| and that a progressive program of
legislation would be carried out.
Every South Carolinian down in his
| heart, if he has the interest of the
| state at heart, hopes that the predic-
| ton will come true. But if it should
| come true, then there would be a
new day in this state
The blatant ones will blaze forth
with all of their glory, insofar as
| loud talking goes, when the compul-
| sorry education measure is proposed
Free niger will be shouted loud
| and strong, and alleged arguments
| against the measure put forward The
| thinking people of South Carolina re-
| alize that the hope Of the future of
the state lies in the education of the
children. They also realize that the
education Of all children depends on
the right kind of compulsory educa-
tiCn measure. However, just as in
the past, this measure is going to
meet defeat.
Taxation is a question that reaches
practically every man one way or the
other. This question will be one of
the most important to be faced by
the next legislature. About $4,000, 900
will be necessary for the state gov
ernment this year. 1t is estimated
that about five and three fourth
mills will be sufficient for the ordi-
nary purpose. Yet the asylum bond
|
rowed must be returned to the sink
ing fund commission. This will
necessarily raise the tax levy, for all
realize that the work Of relieving the
congested condition at she state Hos
pital for the Insane must go on
| The supporters of the governor,
who We're elected to this general as
sembly, are marshaling their forces
and will put up determined fight to
gain every possible inch Of ground.
They want important committee as
signments, which they will not get
unless Mendel L. Smith loses his
nerve. He is assured Of election as
speaker, and the Blease people want
George Rembelt for chairman Of the
ways and means committee.
| There is little interest in the repor.
to be filed by the legislative commit
tee that was appointed to investigate
the charge of the governor against
Attorney General Lyon, and the mem
bers of the Ansel winding-up CON-
mission. The commission will very
probably exonerate all charged by the
, governor and let the matter drop a,
| that There was nothing of an II.
eliminating nature proved against the
governor at the Augusta hearing
however the suspicious may have
been aroused-so it is supposed that
the committee will merely submit the
The committee will very probably
touch on the Charleston graft situa-
ton.
The Cha rlpStnn racing Citnatinp -,