The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-01-13
(By Joe Sparks.

(By Joe Sparks.)
Columbia, Jan. 10.-The general as
SEN bly, of South Carolina has settle
down to work and there is every M
d;oation that this will prove a prof.
table session. A majority of the men,
bers are fresh and new and will enter
into the work with zest. There seems
to be a disposition to rush matters
SO that adjournment may be secured
within 40 days.
On the very first day there was a
discussion among the members about
finances. A tight hand must be kept
on the purse strings Of the State and
every effort will be made to hold
down appropriations. Those institu-
tions having asked for projects
might as well forget the subject be-
cause there will be nothing doing.
Gov. Manning In his address sounded
the watchword for economy. The
cost Of the State government has been
constantly increasing. It Is believed
that taxes for next year will be IL
mills.
The ways and means committee un-
der the direction of ]. T. Lilies will
Immediately get down to work on the
appropriation bill and the members
will try to establish new record.
The bill will be reported to the house
within several weeks.
Fire insurance, liquor, finances and
social legislation will engage the at
tention of the members. A constitu-
tional amendment making the term
Of Office of the governor four years,
without right to reelection, will be
introduced in the house this week.
The equal suffrage leagues are get
ting ready to press their fight in the
legislature. The last Democratic State
convention referred the suffrage ques-
ton to the legislature. A bill will be
introduced providing that the issue
be submitted to the people for vote.
Gov. Manning has received the fire
instirAnce rating bin ana will send a
sPecial message TO tie legislature on
the subject
Rating IS Bone OF Contention.
The fire insurance situation will
very probably be the first question of
Importance to be tackled by the gen.
eral assembly now in session. The
spe cial commission appointed by the
governor to make q sweeping invcs-
tigation of the situation, has prepar-
ed several bills. which will be intro
duced this week. One Of these bills
provides for a modern building code !;
another provides for the rigid invcs-
tigation Of eveiy fire and the placing
Of responsibility. All of these meas
ures are designed to take the place
Of the Laney-Odom act passed last
gear. which caused practically all Of
the fire insurance companies to with
draw from the State. Gov. Manning
Is now preparing a message on the
fire insurance situation, which will be
sent in this week.
The bone Of contention will be the
rating bill. The general assembly
will undoubtedly insist upon the
right to supervise the fire insurance
rates. Such a provision will be
strenuously fought by the fire insur-
ance companies.
Australian System for Cities.
There seems an excellent chance
for the passage OF an act providing
for tho Australian ballot system in
South Carolina. Such u measure
would not be placed upon rural COM
munities. but would be for the cities
and towns. The measure has been
recommended to the legislature by
Gov. Manning.
Game Wardens Appointment.
Who will get the place now held by
A. A. Richardson, State game war
den? This Is a very puzziing ques-
tion The office is filled now by the
governor. The last legislature passed
an act providing that the game war
den be elected by the general assem-
bly,. Gov Manning now holds this
measure and it will very probably he
vetoed. In that event an appointment
will have to be made by the govern
or during the spring. 1t seems GER
tain that the governor will not re-
appoint Mr.. Richardson. Joe Robin
son Of Greenville is strong contend
er for the place. He is now in Co.
lumbia working for the place.
Who Will bc Bank Examiner?
Another good plum which will soon
be ready to pick is that Of State bank
examiner. paying u salary of $4,000