The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-01-07
LEGISLATURE TO DO MUCH
AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF CON.
STRUCTIVE LEGISLATION.
Compulsory Education and Proposed
Referendum on Prohibition Lead
ing Questions.

Columbia, Jan. 2.-An ambitious
programme of constructive legisla-
tion faces the general assembly of
South Carolina, which convenes in
annual session one week from Tues
day. Probably not before in a quar-
ter of century has legislative ses-
sion been looked forward to with
greater hope that something will be
done for the uplift and betterment
of the State than is the one which is
only ten days distant.
Organization of the two houses
will consume the first part Of the
opening day. The house will be call
ed to order by James A. Hoyt, the
retiring clerk, and himself member
from Richland county. AS soon as
temporary organization is perfected
Mr.. Hoyt will be elected speaker
without opposition. The clerkship
Of the house is attracting attention
and a vigorous campaign from six
candidates, ]. Wilson Gibbes and E.
o. DePass, both of Columbia; ]. w.
Hamel, of Kershaw; J. R. McGee, Of
Batesburg; H. c. Booker. of Spartan
burg, and J. C. Mays, of Greenwood.
John S. Wilson, of Lancaster, who
is offering for reelection as seargent-
alarms, is opposed by E. P. McCra-
vey, of Pickens, a former member,
while S. Meg. Simpkins, Of Edgefeld,
is encountering opposition for reelec-
ton as reading clerk from A. E..
Hutchinson, of Rock Hill, who was
a member of the last house.
The death of Senator P. L. Hardin,
Of Chester, leaves the position of
president pro tenn to be filed. The
names Of Senators Alan Johnstone,
of Newberry, and Legrand Walker,
of Georgetown, are mentioned for
the position. Both are leaders of
the upper chamber and both COM
mand the respect and popularity of
their fellow members.
NJ. NJ. Mann, of st. Matthews, is
unopposed for reelection as clerk
and J. Fred Shumpert, of Newberry,
will again be elected seargent-at-
arms without opposition. 1t is be-
lieved that Senator Christensen will
be reelected chairman of the finance
committee, a position to which he
was elevated on the resignation of
the late Senator Hardin in the extra
session. Senator Carlisle will be
again named as the chairman of the
judiciary committee, it is generally
accepted.
The annual message of the COVER
nor will be read in both branches
Immediately after the organization is
perfected. The message has already
been prepared and the governor has
stated that this will probably be his
only communication to the general
assembly. His reasons for clemency
in the various number of cases In
which he has paroled or pardoned
convicts will be reported to the Sen
ate as required by the constitution.
On Lees Birthday.
The birthday Of Gen Robert E.
Lee, the great Confederate chieftain,
will be celebrated this year by the
Inauguration of Hon. Richard l..
Manning, of Sumter, as governor OF
South Carolina to succeed the pres
ent governor, who will retire to pri-
vate life. The Inauguration of Mr..
Manning as governor and Mr.. A. j..
Bethea, of Columbia, as lieutenant
governor will take place at noon on
January 19 in the hall of the house
of representatives in the presence of
the Joint session Of the senate and
house, the chief justice and mem
bers of the supreme court, State
house officials and the people. Chief
Justice Gary will probably admins
ter the oath of office to Governor
Manning and Lieutenant Governor
Bethea.
Governor Manning in his inaugural
address is expected to outline the
policies of his administration and
urge on the legislature the adoption
of those things which he advocated
in his last platform In the race for
governor last summer. Particular
interest will attach to what the new
governor will have to say on taxation,
compulsory education, the liquor
question, and appropriations.
Leading Questions.
Two of the main questions to come
before the general assembly will be
compulsory education and the pro-
posed referendum on prohibition.
Prohibitionists will ask for refer
endum by the people along about
next September on the question OF