The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-27
SESSION MOST STRENUOUS IN
TEN YEARS HE HAS BEEN IN
LEGISLATURES.
starting out with Only One Former
Member OF His Committee. lie Had
Much Hard Work to Dds OH Way
TO Recovery after Recent Illness
VIII Take Charge at Postofiicc Next
Week.


on last Saturday night a short time
before the general assembly adjourn
ed returned TO the city on Monday af-
ternoon and was back I'm his Office
Tuesday and Wednesday. When seen
by representative of The Item he
expressed himself as we'll pleased
with the work OF the recent session OF
the general assembly. which, he stat
ed, was the most strenuous in the ten
years he had been in the house. Dr.
Dick is now we'll on the road to full
recovery after his recent illness caus-
ed oy ptomaine poisoning. although
he still shows in his face the effects of
the attack, .....
As chairman Of the ways and means
committee one OF the two most i'm
portant committees in the house. DR..
Dick found this hard session. To
begin with he had only one of his
last year members OF his committee,
MT, j. T. Lilies OF Orangeburg, Mr..
nei>aughter. another member, having
died Just after the general assembly
csnvened, without having attended q
sthSie meeting OF the committee. 9th
ef members OF the committee had not
rstnrned to the legislature or have
been removed to make efficient chair
men OF other committees. However,
ne was given three members who had
previously served on the committee,
MessrA Tom p. Cothran OF Green
vnle. and ID. L. Smith and Ben Sellers.
In reserring to. his committee DR..
Dick lated that all took hold with a
WIN thsl showed their readiness for
wpfk. those who had never been on
cehmittee before, as well as those
whb had and realized the hard work
bSSre them. or Mr.. Cothran, one
ot he authors of the Carey Cothran
lsw and the author. of the present
fcrm OF the Appropriation bill. Dr.
Erdk stated that he was probably the
offst member OF the house in point
of service and was the strongest man
10 the legislature his assistance being
~ great value In the determination OF
appropriations AZ this session. Mr. F.
q Robinson OF Abbevine, who was
taSen on DR.. Dicks committee and
pheed at the head of the asylum COM
ndnee..a committee. which. by the way
wpp considered by DIR. Dick as the
stpngest In the legislature. came in
ahp for share OF praise from his
former committee chief Mr.. Robin
s9n Dr. Dick stated. was the mosl
substantial man In the legislature,
and although he did not say much. his
works showed his ability. DIR. Dick
mentioned several others as hard
working. conscientious members.
Turning of from the mention Of
committee members. DR.. Dick told of
what had been done by the ways and
means committee in making appro-
priations. The state was practically
running on less than four mills levy,
he said. One mill levy was for Con-
fsderate pensions: one mill for the
maintenance of the State Hospital for
the Insane. one-half mill for the
building and equipping OF the State
Hospital for Insane, and more than
ope-half mill was for the common
schools. This left less than four
mills for meeting the interest on the
State debt. annual provision for the
state sinking fund. the maintenance
and support of state institutions of
education. the judicial, executive, and
In fact. evefy department OF the State
government. The ways and means
committee this year had divided tho
levies 80 that the people could see
what departments were calling for
additional appropriations. All other
departments were run on the most
economic plans.
Dr. Dick went on TO say that there
was no extension work provided for
this year except the appropriation OF
a small amount for the completion
OF buildings for the deaf and blind
and small amount at Winthrop COL
lege. The State owns plant at
Winthrop which has cost $3.50. 900,
for which the State has paid little
oyer 100000" said DR.. Dick. This
is one state institution which never
comes before the ways and means
committee without being prepared to
make a strictly business proposition.
Whenever Dr. Johnson entered the
committee room. we always knew
that ne was loaded For instance
three years ago when no asked for
$4,000 To buy "a lot To build n train
log school. he stood ready to cover