The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-24

oSAAy ooS& AAAo -
endon. The principal difference
was the provision relating to
making a separate levy of
one mill for pen S i o n S,
after several hours of debate on
this feature, the Governor,
Comptroller General and the
Treasurer were invited into the
conference, and this and other
items were gone over carefully
with them, resulting in allowing
the one mill for pensions to re-
main. The Clarendon senator
took the position that inasmuch
as the assembly had continued the
bills relating to pensions until
the next session, because of hav-
ing provided for a commission to
revise the pension laws, classify
the pensioners, and report how
much money will be necessary,
it would be better to wait for
that report before increasing the
amount for pensions, leave it to
stand $3.50, 900 instead Of in
creasing it to 100000 at this
time, that if this was done there
would be no need for a special
one mill, the original $3.50, 600
could be appropriated in the
same manner as heretofore,
then by cutting out or re.
ducing several items, such as
the increase for public schools,
gymnasium for Winthrop, attn
letic field fence for the Univer-
| Isity, the levy could be made 5
mills for ordinary state pur
poses, aud the one.half mill ex
ira for the hospital: this propo-
lsition gave the conferees grave
concern, the Governor with the
other state officials realized the
merit in it, but the majority fin
IaIly concluded it would be best
to allow the $50, 900 increase for
pensions, and TO separate the
| item from other appropriations
so the people can see just what
this additional one mill is for.
with this conclusion, it became;
necessary to make the levy of
an additional one half mill to
meet the appropriations for the
ordinary expenses of the goy-
ernment.. The levy for this
year Is: For general state pur,
poses 5 II mills, for pensions
and confederate infrmary 1 mill,
and for necessary repairs and the
development of hospital for in
sane IL mill. In all z mills as
against 6 mills last year.
We regret very much the
majority would not agree to
wait until next year to increase
appropriation for pensions, and
for the schools, but this we can
say in it's behalf. the conclusion
reached was believed to be icr
the best, and the difference be-
tween US and the majority is
solely of judgment. Our oojec-
ton to increase at this time is
based largely upon the financial
conditions existing, there being
very little prospect of a brighten.
ing up any time this year, while
we have noword of censure for tn
final action, we do not relinquish
our judgment in this matter. The
free conference reported unani
mously, this was necessary to
prevent the appropriation bill
from being jeopardized, and
making possible an extension of
the session for two weeks for
new budget to be framed and
passed by both Houses.
The fifty car limit bill pro-
posed and urged by the employ
ees of the railroads was defeated
in the senate, although it passed
the House by a substantial ma
jorlty. The only argument tor
this measure was to require the
employment of more men to
handle trains, which of course
carried with it additional operat-
ing expenses, that would ulti
mately have to be paid by the
patrons of these transportation
companies-hence the public
would be taxed for the benefit
of a small class OF our citizens.
The argument against it was
convincing, it would retard
the progress and development
of railroad building without add.
ing anything to safety or prompt