The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-06
The NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PROGRAM OF CONSTRUCTIVE
LEGISLATION BEFORE 1T.
Will Convene Tuesday, January 12--
compulsory Education and Proposed
Referendum OH Prohibition Leading
Questions.

Columbia. Jan. Am ambitious
programme of constructive legislation
faces the general assembly of South
Carolina, which convcnes in annual
session one week from Tuesday. Prob
ably not before in a quarter of a GEN.
tury has legislative session been
looked forward to with greater hope
that something will be done for the
uplift and betterment Of the State
than is the ono which is only ten days
distant.
Organization of the two houses will
consume the first part of the opening
day. The house will he called to or
der 10y James A. Hoyt, the retiring
clerk. and himself member from
Richland county. AS soon as tempo
rary organization Is perfected Mr..
Hoyt will be elected speaker without
opposition. The clerkship Of the
house is attracting attention and a vig-
orous campaign from six candidates. j.
Wilson Gibbes and Z. o. DePass. both
Of Columbia; j. w. Hamel of Ker-
shaw; j. r. McGee, of Batesburg; H.
{. Booker, Of Spartanburg, and j. c..
Mays, Of Greenwood, John S. Wilson.
of Lancaster, who is Offering for re-
election as sergeant at arms, is oppos-
ed by E. p. McCravey, Of Pickens, a
former member, while S. Meg. Simp-
kins. of Edgefield. is encountering op-
position for reelection as reading
clerk from A. f. Hutchison. of Rock
Hill, who was a member of the last
house.
The death of Senator p. l.. Hardin.
OF Chester. leaves the position Of pres
ident pro tenn to be filled. The
names of Senators Alan Johnston, of
Newberry. and Legrand Walker, of
Georgetown, are mentioned for the
position. Both are leaders Of the up
per chamber and both command the
respect and popularity of their fellow
members.
M. M. Mann, Of st. Matthews. is
unopposed for reelection as clerk and
j. Fred Schumpert, of Newbery, will
again be elected sergeant alarms
without opposition. 1t Is believed that
Senator Christensen will be reelected
chairman Of the finance committee, a
position to which he was elected 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,
1t Is generally accepted.
The annual message of Governor
Blease 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 as
sembly. His reasons for clemency in
the various number of cases in which
he has paroled or pardoned .convicts
VIII be reported to the senate as re-
quired by the constitution.
The birthday Of Gen. Robert T..
Lee. the great Confederate chieftain,
will be celebrated this year by the in
auguration of Hon Richard l. Man.
ming OF Sumter. as governor Of South
Carolina, to succeed Gov. Cole l..
Blease, who will retire to private life.
The inauguration of Mr.. Manning as
governor and Mr.. A. j. Bethea, Of Co.
lumbia, as lieutenant governor will
take place at noon on January 10 in
the hall of the house of representa-
tves in the presence Of the joint ses-
sion OF the senate and house, the
Chief Justice and members of the Su-
preme court. State house officials and
the people. Chief Justice Gary will
probably administer the oath OF Of
flee to Gov. Manning and Lieutenant
Gov. Bethea.
Governor Manning in his inaugural
address Is expected to outline the pol
icies of his administration and urge
on the legislature the adoption of
those things which he advocated in his
platform i'm the race for governor last
summer. Particular interest will at
tach to what the new governor will
nave to say on taxation. compulsory
education the liquor question, and ap-
preparations.
Two of the main questions ~ come