The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-11
The General Assembly is
Putting In Steady Work

the senate and three from the mousse
who shall investigate charges made
AGAINST the officials of the Confederate
home. This action on the part of the
senate comes as a result Of petition
sent to both houses of the Legislature,
signed by number of veterans, not
inmates of the home, which charged
that officials of the home have tyran-
nized over the inmates Of the home,
that the veterans are denied the rights
cf citizenship, and are not sufficiently
clothed or fed.
number of the inmates Of the
nome have vigorously resented the
statements contained in the petition,
contending that they are getting along
all right.
On third reading, the senate passed
Senator Christensen's bill to provide
for the inspection and analysis OF Oils
sold within the State, and to provide
for a penalty for inferior grades OF
oil. This law, if the bill is passed by
the house, will be enforced by the sec
retary of agriculture,
The Warehouse Bill
The bill providing for State ware
house system has been made speclai
order in the senate for tomorrow.
The Rittenberg Dill providing for
license system for Charleston in the
matter of the liquor traffic has receiY-
ed a favorable committee report in the
senate from the committee on police
regulation.
Tax on Water Powers.
After considerable discussion and
several amendments the house has
passed and sent to the senate Mr..
Rembert's bill imposing tax of 20
cents per horse power on electric
water power developed from the
streams of the State As amended by
the house, the duty of enforcing the
provisions of the bill is placed with the
department of agriculture. 1t is stated
that if this bill should pass South
Carolina will be the first State to i'm
pose such tax. Governor Blease has
strongly urged such a measure both
in his annual message and in special
messages.
Six Per Cent. Interest Bill Killed.
The house, by a large majority has
killed Mr.. Stanley's bill to reduce the
legal rate of interest in this State to
6 per cent. From the beginning, the
advocates of such a measure have had
very little hope Of its passange at this
session. There have been various argu-
ments against it, and it has been urged
that it would not be to the best inter-
ests of those who are forced to borrow
small amounts of money, and would
therefore not be to the interest OF the
poor man. 1t is hard, however, to see
how, if there were proper co-opera-
ton of the banks with the law, with
the spirit of Give, and let live" pre-
vailing, such could have been the re-
suit, if the law were properly enforced.
However, many arguments have been
advanced on both sides, and for the
present session, at least, the question
seems to be settled.
The TwO-Cent Rate Bill.
The bill providing for fiat pas
senger rate of two cents per mile on
railroads is expected to come up in the
house this week, and may come up ear
" during the week. There promises
to be an interesting discussion of this
MEASURE. There will be lively opposi-
ton to it and there will be a strong and
determined fight for it.
As to Compulsory Education.
There are several compulsory educa-
ton measures on the calendar, but they
have not y@t been taken up, and it
seems highly improbable that there
will he any legislation alcng this line,
and the session may end without
fight for it.
The usual forty days will run out
the end Of next week. The house
has adopted resolution providing for
adjournment on February 81, but this
may be reconsidered. February q
would take the session practically
through the forty days.
No Change in Primary Law Probable.