The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-21
SENATE APPOINTS COMMITTEE
TO DRAFT PROGRAM. TAKES
UP COTTON PROBLEM.
PALMETTO CAPITOL NEWS
General News of South Carolina Col.
lected and Condensed From The
State Ca '..aI That Will Prove of
Interest to All Our Readers.
Columbia
deduction Measure Passes.

The longest debate Of the present
extraordinary session took place in
the house, when four hours were de-
voted to a discussion of the bill to re-
duce the acreage devoted to cotton
which was introduced by the select
committee. Members of the house
who were heard on the floor showed
remarkable unanimity in agreeing that
the committees bill was an excellent
measure. Only two speakers dissent
ed, and one Of them very mildly, from
the opinion generally expressed. The
vote of 78 to 10, by which the commit
tees bill was passed to third reading
unamended, vas larger than many
supposed it would be.
Senate Programme.
Committee of eight to draft bill.
This will provide for:
/. Radical reduction of acreage
in 1915.
2. State bonds, in such sum as
may be necessary to finance surplus
cotton.
Both propositions probably to be
submitted to electors.
After a "h~eart-to-heart talk" around
which the well of secrecy" was
thrown, the senate passed a resolu-
ton calling for the preparation Of a
bill which will provide for a radical
reduction in acreage in 1915" and "a
bond issue to take care of oSuth Car
olina's surplus cotton crop.
1t Is estimated that at least 25,000,-
900 will be necessary to care for the
extra cotton in this state, although he
intimation was given as to the amount
OF bonds to be provided for in the sen
ate bill. -
1t is presumed that the question of
issuing the bonds will be submitted to
the qualified electors of the state.
The senate went into executive ses-
sion, when it was said the above meas
ures were discussed at length. It was
said that the executive session was
called for the purpose of gaining the
ears of senators who were disposed
to leave the hall during important dis
cussions. It was also declared thst
the session was held ITO keep out dis
tracing influences and noises" The
session lasted for more than two
hours.
When the session was ended the
senate voted on the resolution intro
duced by Senator Alan tombstone Of
Newberry, which provides for the
committee Of eight to prepare the bill
for the reduction of cotton acreage
and a bond issue to meet the financial
stringency caused by the war in Eu-
rope. There were several speeches
delivered during the session.
One Of the members of the senate
said that he had received a letter
from a member Of the Georgia state
senate asking for copies of the South
Carolina cotton laws. 1t was also inti-
mated in the letter that the Georgia
legislature will be called into extraor-
binary session to consider cotton re-
lief measures.
McLaurIn Bill Passes.
Senator McLaur1n's statewide ware
house bill passed the senate by a vote
Of 81 to II. This was the first of the
emergent measures intended to re-
lieve the present stringency in the
cotton market, to be voted on by the
upper house. 1t now goes to the house
Of representatives for approval.
Tht principal features of the bill
are that it Is statewide in its applica-
ton, the state operating and supervis-
ing. Provision is made for an appro-
priation Of SIS, 900 OF complete the
machinery for the laws operation,
and the states liability is limited to
$4,000. The commissioned in charge
Is to receive a salary Of $4,000.
All the morning was consumed in