The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-26

Columbia, Feb. 23-The influence
of Governor Blease made itself felt
in both branches of the General AS
sembly during the past week, when
the question of passing a number of
bills over his veto arose. The Senate
dealt rather ruthlessly with the Off
cial disapproval Of measures on the
part OF the Chief Executive and pro-
ceeded to repeat the former expressed
desire for the passage of the bills
which 1T had shown when they were
up on second and third readings. In
the upper body none Of the vetoes
was sustained.
A different story, however, must be
told of the House. The Governor
cracked his whip a number Of times
and his supporters in the lower branch
fell into ranks and championed his
views with such ardor that all OF the
bills which the House considered on
the question OF passage over the veto
OF the Governor failed to receive the
necessary two-thirds vote which would
make them laws. For the first time
during the session, an opportunity was
given to size up accurately the exact
strength of the Bleasites and it is safe
to say that in the House more than
one-third OF the members accord with
the Governors ideas of proper legis-
lation.
such purely local matters, which
are generally supposed TO pass with
out fail. as the issue of bonds for q
court house and Jail for Jasper coun-
ty, were vetoed by the Governor and
the veto was sustained by the House
The most portentous measure to
be acted upon during the week was
the McCravey compulsory school at
tendance law, which the House pass
ed by an overwhelming vote This
came as a rather distinct surprise IN
legislative circles. The Senate has
spent several good days in consider
ing the bill on it's third reading, and
adjourned Saturday morning without
taking a vote on the matter.
The opposition developed in the
upper house far overshadowed tha..
shown in the lower branch. Several
Senators have fought it bitterly and so
successfully conducted a flibuster
that vote was prevented. The views
expressed by opponents to the bill are
about The same 19 the old line argu-
ments which have been heard in ev.
cry school house throughout the State
where the question has been debated
every Friday afternoon. Negro edu-
cation. personal liberty, the interfeI-
ence OF the State in private affairs
and kindred arguments have been
forcibly advanced by the opponents
of the bill.
But. IL the Senate should pass the
bill will the Governor veto 1t? On the
political stump he has frankly and
frequently spoken against compul-
sorry school attendance. However.
some weeks ago at the Bar Associa-
tion banquet held in this city, Gov
ernor Blease took occasion to say, in
the course Of an after dinner speech,
that he favored such Il law where the
people did not take advantage OF the
school facilities at hand, 1t is very
evident that veto would kill the bill
The House has passed the Senate
Laney oil inspection bill, which the
Senate acted favorably upon last
week. Under the provisions Of the
Act, oil companies operating in this
state will be taxed one eighth Of / per
cent on the value of their products
sold in South Carolina. This is to be
used for the purpose of defraying
the expenses incident to analysis of
the oils II is designed to prevent
inferior grades Of illuminating and
motor oils from being dumped upon
the markets here as it is claimed has
been done in the past.
The House adjourned Friday night
to meet again Wednesday evening at
o'clock. The Senate adjourned
Saturday morning and will reconvene
Tuesday night at s. 1t is thought that
final adjournment will be taken next
Saturday.
FIRE At MOUNT PLEASANT.