The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-05
IMPORTANT WORK
FOR LEGISLATURE
MANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
TO ENGAGE THE COMING
SESSION.

ject uppermost in the mind of Gov.
Manning just now is to make these
laws more effective.
1t is impossible to predict just
what course the Legislature will take
on the many matters that will be
presented, yet it is certain that prac-
tically all of the members will play
politics to some extent. Next sum-
mer many of the solons will 60 on
the stump to ask for reelection and
they will try to make a good record
of a local nature to influence votes.
The first great aim of the Legis-
lature this year will be to hold down
appropriations. The various institu-
tions which have claims upon the
General Assembly might as well be
prepared to have their amounts cut
down. 1t is certain that the Legis-
lature will not increase the appropri-
ations over last year and in no event
will the tax levy be increased. The
chairmen of the finance committee of
the House are disposed to work out
some plan whereby the levy will be
decreased.
Much important work is being un-
dertaken by the State government
Just now and the leaders will see to
it that none of the departments are
crippled for a lack of finances.
Several of the State institutions
will be asking for appropriations to
erect new buildings. At the pres
ent time there is little chance for
these sums to pass in the app :opri-
alton bill. Gov. Manning will watch
the appropriation bill with an eagle
eye and certain items are certain
to be eliminated.
Educational Issues.
Gov. Manning is veryEnsh inter-
ested in the common school system
of the State and he will use his power
to strengthen these schools in every
way. ]. E. Swearingen, State su-
perintendent of education, has al
ready stated that he will ask for an
appropriation of 100000 for the
common schools of the State. The
common schools will get this amount
if there is enough to 60 around.
The Legislature will very probably
spend some time in discussing the
compulsory education law which was
enacted at the last session. 1t is not
probable that the law will be made
Statewide at this session. 1t is prob
able that the child labor age limit
will be raised to IA years from IL.
1t is argued that the age limit should
be the same as provided by the COM
pulsory education measure. The
compulsory law has been adopted by
many districts in the State.
The strengthening of the law gov
erhing the State warehouse system
will be another problem for the Leg
islature. During the past several
weeks Gov. Manning and John L. Nc.
Laurin, State warehouse commission
er, have held series of conference
when changes in the law were dis
cussed. While nothing of an official
nature has been announced it is un-
derstood that the proposed changes
will include a special commission
to have charge of the system. The
commissioner would work under the
direction of this commission. The
people of the State are in the dark
so far as to what has been accom-
plished by the cotton warehouse sys-
tenn, yet it is said that the report of
Mr.. McLaurin will show that much
has been done of a beneficial nature
to the farmer. Mr.. McLaurin has
refused to give out his report until
the General Assembly opens. He
said that many important questions
were discussed.
Tax Commission Law.
1t is practically certain that the
law creating the State tax commits
sion will be amended at this session.
The bankers of the state are fight
ing the commission and it is rumored
that certain members of the Senate
will oppose the confirmation of the
appointment of A. W. Jones, chair
man of the commission. The name
of Mr.. Jones will be presented to
the Senate early in the session and
rumor has it that a determined fight
will be made on him. The tax COM
mission has recommended the pas
sage of an inheritance tax, a sur
vey of the State, strict enforce
ment of the income tax law and more
power for the Legislature, by con-
stitutional amendment, in fixing tax
es.
One of the most interesting re-
ports to be filed with the General
Assembly will be that of the State
board of charities and corrections.
This board created at the last ses-
sion has done a wonderful work for
the benefit of the States wards. 1t
is certain that the board will BIZ con-
tinued and literally supported by the
Legislature. The board has al
ready justified its existence. The
ground work has been laid and even
greater results will be obtained in
the future.
Liquor Questions.
Liquor has been a subject for dis
cussion in South Carolina flor 25
years and again this year it will
cause some talk. The State)i lis now