The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-15
LAWMAKERS GATHER TUESDAY
THOUGHT CHAT DIR. GEO. w.
DICK WILL HEAD WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE
Some Important Bills Which Will he
Observation-Disclosures House snd Sem
ate Must do Before They are Ready
for Business.

Columbia, Jan. 13s-The general
assembly of South Carolina WILL con-
vene In regular session tomorrow at
noon. There is every prospect for an
interesting session OF 40 days. Mheth-
-er or not a eight over legislation along
factiona lines. similar To that In the
session of 1917. develops IN the
House and Senate remains to be seen
OF course. there fs bound to be diff
ferences OF opinion over Legislation
but last year IN certain instances there
were decided grounds for suspicion
that faettonal predujdices ruled ever
reason.
IL Is considered probable by those in
touch with the situation that DR.. Geo
W. Dick OF Sumter will be appointed
chairman OF the ways and means
committee OF the House, OF which ne
is ranking member. The committee
appointments are made by the Speak
er who Is not always guided by senior
ity In selecting the chairman OF his
committees
Among the bills OF Statewide in
terest which will De introduced In the
general assembly are the following:
To provide for compulsory educa-
tion with certain restrictions.
To provide for the founding Of a
fund from which the State can pro-
vide hfe insurance and annuities to
its citizens under the direction OF a
commission composed OF State off,
-cials.
To provide for a high license IL
ouor sales system In Charleston un-
der the original package provision in
the State constitution.
The recommendations contained in
the message of the governor will in
all probability be embodied in bills
on which the general assembly will
nave to pass.
The exercises incident to the con-
vening OF a new general assembly are
OF perennial interest to all South Car
oiinians. In the senate. the process
In much simpler than In the house Of
representatives. Charles A. Smith of
Timmonsville. the lieutenant COVER
nor and president OF the senate, will
take the chair and call the senate to
order. After which the clerk will call
the roll Of the senate. Then the roll
OF the counties in which elections
were held to All vacancies In the sem
ate will be called. When the sena-
tors-elect hand In their credentials
and present themselves before the bar
of the senate. the oath OF office will
be administered to them by the presl-
dent
The address of President Smith to
the senate will follow. Then will
come the election of n president pro-
tenn. the election OF clerk. election
OF sergeant-at-arms, election of a
reading clerk, and election of a chap
lain After these elections, the sem
ate will send a message to the house
OF representatives TO notify IL that IL
has organized and is ready for busi-
ness.
The first step In the organization
OF the house Of representatives will
be the call TO order by James A.
Hoyt. clerk OF the last house, or late
house" as the journal calls it. The
election OF temporary chairman will
follow. He will take the oath Of Of
fee after presenting his credentials.
The clerk will call the roll OF the
house BY counties and the members
present will produce their credentials
and be sworn i'm by the temporary
chairman.
The election OF n speaker for the
session will next occupy the members
of the house. The member who is
elected To this important office will
take the chair and deliver an address
to the house. The house will then
proceed TO elect a clerk. reading clerk.
sergeant-at-arms and chaplain. a
message will then be sent to the sem
ate and the governor TO notify them
that the house has organized and is
ready for business. The drawing for
seats Is also an incident In the or
ganization o. the house.
After these prelimlnarles of organ
tkatlon. the house and senate are ready