The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-01-17
(By Joe Sparks)

(By Joe Sparks.)
Columbia, Jan. 1f.-work In the
senate Is gradually getting under way
and by the end of the week the cal
endar should be cleared for legisla-
tion with dispatch. With the decks
cleared OF acts held over In the gov
erhor's ofice and sustained by the
house IN vetoes ana the insurance at
mcsphere dissipated. legislation
should take definite form rapidly. Dis.
position 10 to restrict legislation into
limited channels. the impression pre-
viiling that the bulk OF interest will
centre about finances, prohibition, as-
riculturai effort to Withstand invasion
by the boil weevil and provision for
charitable and educational institutions
Seven bills were introduced by SEN
stor Fancy Of Chesterfield. These
were OF minor importance In insur-
ance regulation.
In message from the governor
yesterday, the compromise bills,
agreed upon by the commission of leg
isiators and insurance men, were
transmitted. and recommendation by
the governor was that they should
be enacted into law without amend
ment.
Senators Christensen and Sherrard
introduced today the bill calling for
the establishment of training
school for feeble minded. This calls
for m appropriation of Sso,ooo.
There rs every indication that tl,c
net Vt fire insurance measures pro.
posed In the senate will be passed by
the general assembly. While the COM
panies have made no announcement,
Il b believed that they will return to
the state, II the bills are enacted. Gov.
Manning IN his special message rec
omfnended that the bills be enacted
without amendment. All interests
seem to be satisfied with the meas
ures and 30 far no opposition has de-
veioped. The honor and dignity of
the state has been protected as well
as the interests OF the people. The
measures win be fathered In the SEN
sts ~ senator q. X. tahey of Chester
80 1kx x<sel2 sha t4a pssssa.
~ u 6dS6 a6fl- -5einSSct act.
1his inssstrs caused the insurance
companis, 70 Withdraw from the
Stnte. 'tf ~
The senate will next week begin
discussion Of the insurance bills and
definite action will'be taken in a few
days. The several acts represent
much study and thought.
This win not be spectacular ses-
sion Of the legislature. Everything
Is running smoothly and both house
have gotten down to work in a re-
markably short time. There are no
great divisions In the houses and few
great Issues are to be decided. There
will be no split over the fire insur-
ance question. whiske1 may cause
some talk. yet II Is believed that no
drastic action VIII be taken. A new
measure viii be passed in the house,
very probably reducing the amount
to one quart month. However, this
bill win never be enacted by the SEN
ate. The effort to secure high IL
cense for the city of Charleston VIII
not be successful A definite whiskey
legislative programme has not yet
been outlined by the leaders.
The proponents of equal suffrage
have stormed the State house in a
spirited fashion. A great lobby is be-
ing conducted and not a member is
allowed to escape the argument or
the score or more women who are
lighting for the dear cause. The wo-
men are asking that the question of
equal suffrage be referred to the peo-
pie, Of the State for vote. The out
come is problematicaI.