The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-01-10
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
CONVENED YESTERDAY
Continued from Page ,One)

is not definitely known, but it is un-
dcrstood that certain changes on the
| verbage Of the instrument will be
ncccSSitated. The commission has
been called by the governor to meet
Monday, and it is believed that a COM
promise measure, agreeable to the
companies and fully protecting the
rights OF the state, will be drawn to
be presented to the general assembly.
! In addition, the committee has COM
plcted Il building code for the incor-
poratcd municipalities of the state and
Il bill providing for inquiry into the
origin of fires. Both OF these meas
urcs will be introduced in the legisla-
ture during the first days of the ses-
sion.
According to the estimate Of Comp
troller-General Sawyer, released for
publication Sunday morning, the va
rious institutions and departments of
the government are asking for Gp-
preparations amounting to $3,l59,-
691.57, while the estimated revenue Of
the state for 1917 will be $2,334, ,756.SS.
Mr.. Sawyer states that it will take a
levy of 10 mills to meet the amounts
asked for 1917.
Mr.. Sawyer states that the general
assembly appropriated $2,596, 169.0S,
whereas the revenue for 1916 will
amount to only S2,301 ,2S130, Great
ing a deficit Of practically 1926 200, or
a levy Of one mill. The levy provided
by the Legislature for 1916 was 6 l-2
mills.
The condition Of the finances Of the
state is expected to be the cause Of
drastic Legislation affecting the taxa
ton system of South Carolina. What
attempts will be made to amend the
existing law is not known at this time,
but it is considered safe bet that
some such legislation will be at
tempted.
The Investigators OF the state
board of charities and CORE, ions
into the conditions of penal and char
liable institutions of the state may re-
suit in legislation to alleviate the hard
LOT Of the poor, the feeble minded and
The imbeclcs. II is thought that bills
making lighter the burdens OF these
classes OF unfortwMatcs will be intro
duced
\ bill providing for rural credits
will be introduced as will one for
workingmcn's compensation. In view
of the recent strikes in textile COM
Mmnitics It i; net unlikely that other
labor legislation will be attempted
As the boil wccvil is expected to
cross the Savannah river into South
Carolina next year, it is probable that
some remedial legislation, assisting
the farmer to prepare for the advent
OF the pest, will be up for carly pas
sage
a fight probably will be made on \.
r. Richardson OF Columbia, chief
game warden, who has been partisan
Of former Governor Blcasc. Hitherto
the position has been filled by appoint
mcnt by the governor on recommcn-
datiOn by the Audubon society, but last
session a bill was passed making il
elective by the legislature. Governor
Manning, who still has the bill un-
signed, Will probably veto it and ap
point some one other than Mr.. Rich
ardson for the four-year term, which
is up this year. At recent meeting
OF the Audubon society Mr.. Richard
son was recommended by it for reap
pointmcnt.
At meeting of the legislative com
mittce OF the State Federation of La
bor. held here Friday, it is under
stood that the following legislation
would be requested from the general
assembly:
A bi! requiring statewide compul-
sorry school attendance.
A bill providing for free school
books, to be printed in South Caro-
lima if possible.
A bill amending the law as to mill
inspectors, so as to provide for six in
stead Of two. and an increase in the
appropriation so as to provide neces-
sary travelling expenses of the in
spectOrs.
\ bill amending the law so as to in
crease the minimum fine from $40 to