The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-02-16
WITH THE LEGISLATURE AGi1A

WITH The LEGISLATURE AGMN
l spent Tuesday night IN ColumDla
to take another LOOK III on the Ie5-
islature before maj Adjournment. l -Ae
senate was engaged III The discussion
OF the COlumuIa canal CONT act, an0
the house Was cons4uerlng. the hlgn-
way bill. My nrst recollection OF the
politics in this state was wnen uhe
Columbia canal was an issue IN Tie
politics OF the Sta.e, and the matter
seems to be a very live issue Just,
now. The senate passed the Dill re-
quiring that the canal be completed
according to contract when 1t was
turned over to private parties, ahd
if it is not done the attorney gene<af,
is authorized 10 Dr4ng suit To re5a4n
the property 1or the State. bat
spent most of the evening in the
house. The boys over there from
New Derry were very nee 10 lie. huG
game NE his seat anu l udu uHe Op:
portun4Ly 10 see and hear. Bos Bol-
nest said Hub Was not anxious 10 De
in the house any way, as he preferred
to be out in the loDDy and come III
Wnen ne Vas HeSueu TO vote. Ally
way | appreciate his consideration
ana enjoyed nearing and oDserYlhg
legislation.
AS l said before most OF the men,
berS are new and many Of them are
strangers to me, anu yet there are a
few of the old fellows there. 1t is
almost entirely new house. The
great need that it seemed to NE that
was wanting in The house was for
some big broadminded man who could
be leader The new members seem
ed anxious to do the right thing, but
many Of them seemed at loss just
how to proceed.
The highway bill was discussed and
amended so that l would not be sur
pr;seI if very few knew just in what
shape it was finally passed. AS
gathered the bill was passed with
provision for raising the amount nee
eSsary to meet the federal approprla-
ton by placing tax on automobiles.
One member said that this would not
raise sufficient sum, but the house
seemed to be opposed. to any direct
tax to raise the amount One men,
ber stated that according to the hg-
ures returned to the comptroller gen.
eral there were only about 1900
automobiles returned in 1916 in the
State. l Hooked over the list which
was by counties and NeWberry show
ed only 295. l should think that is
only about One-haif Or one-third IF
the number in this county and if the
same is true OF other counties, il all
OF them should get on the books un-
der this bill, the revenue will be am
pie to meet the requirements of the
federal statute. At any rate is seems
to me to be very good way to raise
the money. But in other columns will
be found the proceedings of the leg
lslature and l want to write more
particularly of the matters which per-
tain to NeWberry county.
%
The bill providing for new jail
has been passed and I suppose rati-,
fed, but the appointment of the COM
mission to have charge of the erec-
tion of the building has not yet been
named, and will be appointed by the
governor on the recommendation of
the delegation. The delegation has
not yet fully agreed upon the COM
mission and until that is done it is
preferred that no mention be made
of tie names suggested.
~
A bill has been passed turning ov-
er the unexpended balance from the
railroad bonds for the C. n. and L.
railroad in No. township to the
school funds of that township. It is
not known just what the balance IS.
but that can be easily determined by
reference to the county treasurer's
books.
%
The bill suggested by the trustees
of the Newberry school district au-
thorizing an election on voting two
mills additional tax for the mainte
nance of the schools has been passed
and ratified.
%
The bill for the past Indebtedness
OF the county was made $4,000 in
stead Of $4,000 as stated in the
paper some time ago. That bill has
been passed. The house members
said that they estimated the total in
come for the county around $44.0aJ
which IS as much as the appropria-
ton. That may be correct but
think they have some OF the estimates
too high as to income. For instance
| noticed that they counted from the
Communication tax $4,000. There may
be 5000 people in the county liable
10 thls tax, but l doubt if that much