The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-12-15

ELEVEN.
FHE APPROACHING SESSION OF
TIE GENERAL ASsEMDLA
Important Matters for State Welfare
to Hold Attention of MemberS-in.
surance, State Nareh juse, Rural
Credits, Schools, Liqaor-AH TO
Come Up.
3Columbia Dec. 9.-The 1917 ses-
sion Of the general assembly will con-
yene just one month from today, on
January 8. There will be a great many
new men in both bodies, and no one
can predict with any degree of ac-
curacy what course the legislation
will take, but it is confidently expect
ed bv those who have kept up with
the course of the past campaign and
developments since, that there are
several matters which will occupy
a great deal of the time Of the ses-
sion.
Bethea and Mann.
Lieutenant Governor Lethea having
been reelected, it is certain that the
senate will have the same presiding
officer, and no opposition has so far
developed against Clerk Mann for re-
election. Speaker James A. Hoyt was
sent back to the house from Richland
county, and his friends will urge his
reelection as speaker of the house.
1t has been stated that Mr.. n. George
Evans, of Edgeield, will oppose
Speaker Hoyt for reelection, and the
name of Mr.. Thos. P. Cothran OF
Greenville has also been mentioned
in this connection. Others have been
spoken of for the position. Mr.. Hoyt
vas chosen speaker two years ago,
at the beginning of his service as
member of the house, being elected
without opposition. He had been
clerk of the house, from which posi-
ton he retired when elected mem
ber from Richland county. Speaker
Hoyt's reelection is predicted conf.
IDENTIFY by those who are familiar with
the personnel of the new house.
Gibbes has Opposition.
Clerk ]. Wilson Gibbes of the house,
is being opposed for reelection by
Editor II. C.. Booker, of Spartanourg,
who has been waging an active cam
paign foc the clerkship. Clerk Gibbes
hes been in communication with his
friends among the members Of the
house, and seems confident of re-elec.
ton. The friends of Editor Booker
are also predicting his election.
The senate ought to be able to gel
down to work On the opening day OF
the session, but the first day in the
house will probably be taken up with
the organization of that body, and II
any of the races are close, the Or
sanitation may take longer.
Liquor Question.
At practically every session OF the
legislature since Senator Tillman was
governor. a large part of the time has
been taken up with fight on the liqu-
or question, and no doubt liquor will
come in for. its share of attention at
the approaching session. 1t is ex-
pected that the effort will be renewed
to secure some legislation looking to-
wards a license system for Charles
ton. There will also be an effort
further to tighten up the liquor laws,
and make liquor harder to get than
at present. In Columbia it is hard
to get liquor now-legally. At the
express Office the lines of people are
there every day, each patiently wait
ing his turn at the liquor window.
One goes down an alley to the rear,
takes his place in line, and waits. He
finally gets to the window, and after
a series of questions he is told wheth-
er his package is there or net. II 1t
is there he goes away happy, and il
not, he goes away sad. One gallon
per month is the limit whether 1t be
liquor. wine or beer. In the line OF
negroes there are a good many Wo-
men. and outside there are a. good
many negroes waiting to take the
packages to their destination for the
white people.
Illegally, it is not so hard to get
fSut the price is higher. and the quail
-sy IS very seldom even passable.
More Beer; Less Liquor.
There is an Act on Governor Man
~nins's desk now which would reduce
the quantity of liquor per month to
Two quarts. but providing that in heV
thereof one may receive sixty nints
OF beer. This Act has been held UP
nv the governor. Having been pass
ed during the closing hours OK the