The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-16

~""os", Jan. Aos-ln decluedly
bussness-like manner the general as
semtly Of South Carolina organized
yesterday for its list session. The
refusal Of the senate to accept an
invitation to visit winthrop college
January 20 Is taken by Observers as
an indication that the upper house Is
resolved to waste as little time as pos
saole. A significant incident In the
house Of representatives yesterday was
the spplauding of q reference in the
speakers address to the necessity for
passing compulsory school attend
ance law.
The senate was called to order at
noon by Charles A. Smith Of Tim
monsville. retiring lieutenant COVER
nor. The senate. acting under the
caucus of Monday night. elected. Le-
Grand Walker of Georgetown its pres
ident pro tempore and M. M. Mann
OF s. Matthews It's clerk. In addi-
uon to the annual message, the SEN
ate received from the governor
special message recommending the
continuance OF the state warehouse
system started under an act of the
October special session. The senate
debated tho question Of going to Win
throp and finally decided not to do
90. after an hour Of discussion. The
senate will meet today ut noon.
The most interesting feature of the
orsanisaton sessions Of the house
yesterday morning and afternoon was
the hostly contested election for clerk.
J. Wilson Gibbes Of Columbia, who
had q lead on tho first ballot, was
finally elected after the roll ad been
called nine times. As had heen an
ucipated. James A. Hoyt of Colum-
bia was made speaker without oppo-
sition. In a brief speech he outlined
his views on important measures
which will be introduced shortly.
Members applauded him when, he
said that the general assembly could
not afford to ignore the passs ge of a
compulsory school attendance law.
under the injunction laid down by the
voters In the last primaries.
The house passed unanimously a
resolution introduced by Mr.. brigham
nj Aiken. felicitating President Will
son on his administration. TIE reso-
luton commended the president In
the highest terms. praised tho Sim
mons-Undcrwood tariff bill and con-
graduated the nations chief executive
on his policy as regards Mexico.
Important amendments proposed to
the rules of the last house caused the
house yesterday to defer their adop-
tion until today. One Of the amend
ments offered makes It impossible to
carry on a 1libuster such as blocked
for "A number OF days the passage OF
the bond Issue bill In the house dur
Ing the special session.
Another amendment does away
with the Limitation on the number
of members on COMMITTEES, leaving
this to the discretion OF the speaker.
The Indications arc that a fight will
be made on this amendment. to the
end that not more than Is members
can be appointed on the more import
ant committees and not more than
nine on the others.
In the house the annual message
OF the governor was received imme-
diately after the chief executive was
notified Of the organization Of the
body. The reading of the message
was interrupted by "a motion to ad-
journ until 1i:i5 O'Clock This morn
Ing. The message viii not be printed
IN the Journal. under "a special order
from the house. until II has been read
Il g.