Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-10-02
REMEDIAL LEGISLATION.
Committee Prepares Bills to Give Peo-
ple Relief
IMPORTANT MEASURES FOR EXTRA SESSION
State Warehouse Pan Backed Up by Propositions for Compu
sorry Reduction of the Acreage; Tax Extension and Putting
State on Cash Basis

AS q committee appolnteu ny 'hS
Southern Cotton Congress to prepare
legislative programme for the extra
session to relieve the agricultural and
business distress occasioned by condl-
tions in Europe, Representative w. r.
Stevenson of Chesterfield, and Senator
John I. McLaurin, of Marlboro, have
ready a series of bills that seem to COW
er the ground.
Senator McLaurin has revised his
warehouse proposition to meet exist
ing conditions, and Representative
Stevenson has a joint resolution and
two bills, all directly leaning on the
emergency. One of the bills provides
for compulsory reduction of next years
cotton acreage along reasonable ana
equitable lines. Another proposes TO
submit to the voters the question OF
issuing $1,500,00 bonds to take care OF
the expenditures already made, and
still to be made on the asylum proper
ty at State Park, and to put the state
on a cash basis. 1t is proposed that
this money shall at the same time be
available for the conduct Of the gov
ernment during the tax extension
Both Senator McLaurin and Represen-
tative Stevenson are in complete agree
ment on all the measures as basis OF
legislative action.
Both Representative Stevenson and
Senator McLaurin are of the opinion
that acreage reduction is absolutely
necessary, and that it must be gone
about in a direct manner, and they are
both inclined to the view that no
harm. can result even though the other
states refuse to cooperate, for among
other things it will compel a diverslh-
cation of crops.
Discussing the acreage reduction
proposition in Columbia, on MONDAY
Mr.. Stevenson said:
"The only other feasible way is that
suggested by an occupation tax. MY
view is that the farmer is bearing MS
inst portion of the taxes now and once
we load an occupation tax on him II
will be hard to get it entirely on ana
that is admittedly only endeayoring IN
directly to do what this will do direct
lv and courts look behind DISCUSSES
like that and are more likely to sustain
a direct open effort to accomplish TINS
purpose than an indirect one which is
accomplished by burden OF taXatlon
The series of measures, outside OF the
warehouse bill, are the result OF my
mature personal consideration OF the
situation, and while not perfect thlnk
can be perfected so as to result in vast
benefit to South Carolina. The ware
house bill was prepared by John l.
McIaurin, but we agree thoroughly on
the whole series as to the nearest So
luton of our troubles. We need QUICK
action and in the language of the Holy
Writ, The Kings business requires
haste.
Acreage Reduction.
The full text of Mr.. Stevenson
acreage reduction bill is as follows:
Whereas, the production of cotton
has been large during the year 1914.
and there will be surplus or several
million bales owing to the closing OF
several of the export markets by war;
and
Whereas. this has caused a depres-
sion in price below the cost OF produc
tion and is about to bankrupt the busi-
ness interests of the state, practcally
basis; and
Whereas. foodstuffs and food are ris-
ing to a high price owing to the same
war and the people of the state VIII De
unable to buy sufficient to maintain
themselves with the low price OF cotton
and poverty and want will be greatly
increased if this condition continues;
and
Whereas, the planting Of another
large crop of cotton in 1915 will tend 10
pile another surplus on the surplus OF
1914 and will effectually destroy the
value Of the 1914 crop, and bring dis
aster and want upon the people OF TINS
state; and
Whereas, it is highly important 10
provide for foodstuffS TO be raised IN
South Carolina sufficient to support
her people and to greatly reduce the
area planted in cotton in 1915, so that
foodstuffs may be raised and the price
of cotton increased by making the de-
mand approach the supply;
Now, therefore in the exercise OF the
police power of the state, for the gen
eral welfare of the body polite, and to
preserve the state from spread OF
want and mendicancy and serve the
business interests based on our staple
production from disaster,
Be it enacted by the general assem-
bly, Of the state OF South CarOIna.
Section THAT, all persons, firms
and corporations, their agents, SER
wants and employees, owning, Operat-
ing, controlling or cultivatig lands in
this state, be, and they are hereby pro-
hibited from planting or cultivatine
during the year 1915 more than eight
acres Of land in cotton to the horse ol
mule or other work animal used by
said persons, firms or corporations
their agents, servants and employees
in the actual business Of farming dur
ing the year 1914, and that the prepar-
alton, planting or cultivating of more
than said amount to the horse, mule oI
other work animal used in 1914, is
hereby declared to be illegal and
against the public policy and agains'
the welfare of the body polite anC
tending to the destruction Of other bus
mess interests of the people of South