Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-01-22
FROM OUR REpREs, NATIVES.
Nj. X. Mcdonald Writes OF the Carly
Days of the Session.

l
know what is transpiring in the
House Of Representatives Of this
State. l therefore transmit this let
ter for publication that your readers
may learn what their Representatives
are doing.
At noon on Tuesday, January ID,
according to the Constitution of
South Carolina, the Clerk of the
House, James A. Hoyt, called the
House to order. The roll Of counties
was then called, a quorum respond
ing, and the body proceeded to or
ganize. Richard S. Whaley, of Char
| lesion, was elected temporary chair
man; Mendel l.. Smith was re-elect-
ed Speaker without opposition; Jas
| A. Hoyt was reelected clerk; Nc
Gowan Simkins was reelected read
iGg clerk, and James S. Wilson was
| reelected sergeant-at-arms.
The House then proceeded to draw
for seats. Oconee county was drawn
about middle ways of the list of
counties, and Mr.. Shirley and / Sc
lected seats close to the Speakers
desk, which we like very much.
After the organization was COM
pleted Governor Blease sent to the
| General Assembly his first message,
containing 33 pages of typewriter
matter, relating to the general condi-
t1on OF affairs in the State. He has
sent seven messages since the con-
vening Of the General Assembly, one
OF which related to the Augusta in
vestigating committee and another
one to the position Senator Tillman
took against his reelection for Gov
ernor. These two messages were re-
ceived with a great deal Of attention
and almost precipitated a political
fght In the House. Am glad, though,
that no such fight has yet come up,
and hope that it will not. If the po-
litical lines are drawn very little leg
islation can be had Of Statewide in
terest 1t is my desire, as we'll as
all others with whom / have talked,
that no political lines be drawn, and
that all shall work together in har-
mony.
Several bills of Statewide interest
| were introduced the first week.
among them being bill for two
cent fiat rate on railroads, an en-
ployers' compensation act, and bill
giving the foreman Of grand juries
| the right to swear it's witnesses in
the grand jury room.
There are 80 new members in the
House, most of whom are young
men. After the members become bet
ter acquainted with each other more
and better work will be done. The
best bills will not be introduced until
| later in the session.
The committee appointments were
announced by the Speaker on last
Thursday. Mr. Shirley and I were
very lucky, for we got on some of
the best committees. | was appoint
ed or the Judiciary Committee. This
committee is composed entirely of
| lawyers and Is considered the best
and most important of them all. It's
members have much continuous work
to do. Mr.. Shirley also got on i'm
portant committees, which were the
Committee on Banking and Insur-
ance, Penitentiary, and Offices and
Officers. The Committee on Banking
and Insurance will be an important
committee this year because they
will have before them the considera-
ton of the proposed law of "the State
engaging in the exclusive business Of
life insurance" and also "a bill maxi
ing the legal rate of interest six per
centum.' Those who are members
of the Judiciary Committee cannot,
according to the rules, be members
of any other committee. Mr.. Shirley
and are much elated over the
Speaker having appointed us on the
committees as above mentioned.
Mr.. Werner, Mr.. Shirley and my
self have an ideal boarding house.
We are stopping at 1412 Blanding
street, where the State Superintend-
ent Of Education. Mr.. SweaTimgen,
lives. We enjoy his conversations
very much. And, besides, the entire
delegation is together, thus making
1T convenient for us to discuss legis-
lation that appertains to the welfare
OF our county.
I am glad to say that believe Oco-
nee has harmonious delegation this
year in the General Assembly. 1t is
gratifying to be able to get along so
well and not be fussing over our
| county affairs. There is no rivalry
between us, and each member is do
Ing all he can to assist the other. 1t
Is our desire to have all the citizens
of our county to understand that we
are down here to work for the good
and welfare of Oconee, and that we
are going to do the best we can, in
our humble Judgment, for the best
interests of our people, whether 1t
helps or hurts lis politically. / am
not acting as spokesman for my COL
leagues, but know that I voice their
sentiments when I say that want
the people at home to know that /
am going to do what / think is best
for the people of Oconee county at
large, even though 1t may mean po-
litical suicide. 1t Is my desire to be
patriotic and work for the good OF
my fellowmen, and not for my own
personal aggrandizement.
| Wa ypuef hax Va haffar rnodo In o,,r