The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-01-21
PRIMARY REFORM TO
RECEIVE ATTENTION
Will Likely Come Up This
Week.
NICHOLSON BILL
ON CALENDER
Gov. Blcase is Opposed to Any Change
In the Primary and lie will Likely
Veto any Bill Affecting tho Present
Primary Laws

Columbia, January 18.-When the
General Assembly finishes with the
remaining elections this week it is ex-
pected that the matter likely to turn
out as the one big issue Of the session
reform Of the primary, will make it's
appearance on the legislative boards
There is a general admission that
primary reform is the paramount is
sue before the present session.
Senator Nicholsons bill Tightening
up" the primary comes over from last
year and stands at the head of the
third reading bills in the Senate. The
Edgefield Senator Is preparing to push
his bill and it Is probable that it will
be strengthened before it gets third
through last year. it having been stat
ed by several members that they de-
sired to familiarize themselves with
it's provisions and otherwise make a
primary, it's needs, If they deem it
has any, and then they would be in a
position to apply such remedies as
they deemed best. Hence Senator
Nicholson will in all probability call
up his bill at the first opportunity and
keep the Senate working on it until
the bill Is either passed or disposed Of.
Other proposed measures for deal
ing with the primary are possible. In
fact Representative Rittcnberg, Of the
Charleston delegation, has a bill dealA
ing with the subject which has already
been discussed in the press and which
he will introduce in the House. Other
members may have bills to offer on
the subject for the constant agitation
OF some change in the primary since
the last election has awakened the
people of the State 1t Is said, to man
ifestation OF great interest in the un-
dertaking.
Blease Opposes Change.
Governor Blcase Is opposed to any
change In the primary and he will un-
doubtedly veto any measure restrict
ing 1t. Here is what he had to say
along this line in his annual message
to the general assembly:
II am opposed to any change in the
primary system. l believe in honest
elections, and believe in letting ev-
cry white man participate in the pri-
mary who Is eligible to vote under
the rules OF the Democratic party.
Whenever we deprive the white peo-
pie of the right to vote, or any large
number OF them Of their right to vote,
we will break up the primary system,
because those who are qualified want
the right to vote, and they should
have it., and they do not propose to
be put. by any party Of men, on an
equal footing with free negro"
Offices to be Filled.
! The places of State librarian, for
which there are a score Of young la
dies Offering, insurance commissioner,
trustees Of the various State colleges,
and two members of the board of d.
rectors Of the Penitentiary, are yet
10 De ScIcClcu. INC BencIdl iSSeul-
bly, will begin balloting on these va
cancies Tuesday night at s o'clock.
The house meets Tuesday at noon and
the Senate on Tuesday night at 1850.
Liquor Question.
The liquor question has already
made its appearance in bills dealing
with the so-called Social club" evils.
Senator Crouch has gotten through
the Senate bill tightening up the re-
quirements for getting e charter for
one Of these clubs, making 1t neces-
sary for those seeking charter first
to get the signature Of fifty freehold
ers, II in a town, or twenty-fi IL in
the county, and also OF the county au-
ditor, treasurer, Judge OF Probate,
sheriff and clerk OF court. Several
Senators denounced in severe meas
ures what they termed the present
widespread method Of opening bar
rooms throughout the country under
the guise OF social clubs.
Senator Carlisle went one step fur
ther, In bill which he introduced,
.----------------------