The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-01-07
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
BEFORk LEGISLATURE
SESSION OF 1913 BEGINS IN JUST
ONE WEEK.
Some OF the Measures Which Will
Come Jp-ASylum improvement,
Election OF Judges. Etc.
Special to The Herald and News.


week from tomorrow, will be con-
fronted with some very important
questions. Not by any means the least
in Importance among these is the elec-
ton of Judges by the people, which
Governor Blease has stated he Will
recommend in his annual message. a
bill providing for fiat two-cents rate
per mile for passengers on railroads
will be introduced early in the session.
The governor has heretofore advocat-
ed this rate, and has stated that he
will urge it again in his message this
year
Another matter, which has been
storm centre in South Carolina in the
recent past, is the hosiery mill at the
State penitentiary. There will be
strong fight in the coming legislature
to abolish this institution, and Dill
to this effect will in all probability be
among the first bills introduced.
The legislature will also have to de-
eide whether the work upon the new
ASYLUM plant is to continue, in view
of the defeat of the proposed million
dollar bond issue. In order to con-
tinue the work, there will have to be
special levy for it. This is really one
of the biggest questions with which the
session will have to deal.
The session of 1912 was one OF the
stormiest sence 1875. The legislature
and the executive departments fre-
ouently locked horns, and each stood
pat" 1t is being predicted that the
session this year will be harmonious,
at least as compared with the preced-
ing session. What may turn up in
South Carolina politics, however, it is
impos sible to prophesy with any accu-
racy any length Of time ahead. The
last legislature had large majority
politically opposed to the governor.
The recent election resulted in many
changes, and many new faces will be
seen in the membership this year.
Should the lines be drawn for and
against the administration Of Cover
nor Blease, as may of course happen
on some measures, it may take the first
real Lineup" to determine the exact
complexion of the senate and house
It is certain. however, the governor has
many more supporters Nn the two bod
les now than he had before the cleo
ton, and on a test Of strength as be
tween the factions-provided OF
course, there is a split into factions-
the veto power would certainly be et-
feetive.
During the past twelve months
South Carolina has experienced
wonderful prosperity, and the national
Democracy has achieved wonderful
victory. The coming legislature Will
have great opportunity before it for
constructive craftsmanship.
#*
It is probable it will take the senate
only few minutes to organize. The
house, OF course, will require longer.
Whether the Hon Mendel L. Smith, OF
Camde2, will have any opposition IN
his race for speaker, seems not yet to
be definitely known. The name OF MI
George R. Rembert, of Columbia, has
been frequently mentioned in this con-
nection, but Mr.. Rembert has given
,ui. e statcmeIt as to his lnten-
tons along this line. Mr. Renbert
was REGARDED last year as the Blease
floor leader in the house. With so
many new members, it is possible that
the session may develop several strong
leaders either in a contest between the
TWO branches Of the government or
in a harmonious session.
The annual message Of Governor.
Blease will be presented on the first
Gay OF the session. During the first
week the election will be ,,ec'ar"c, and
the inauguration will take place on
Tuesday, January p. AS has been
announced, the oath will be admins
tered to GOV. Blease by Magistrate W,
Pink Cashey, Of Lancaster. Judge
Cashey is warm personal friend and
strong political supporter Of the gov
d a2o ii county OF
- .la '@"ent