The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-01-04
Liquor Legislation Will Hold
Important Place on
Program.
MAY PASS BONE DRY LAW
Several Candidates Out for
Speaker of the House to Sue
ceed James A. Hoyt, Who
Moved to Detroit.

the approaching legislative session,
which opens next Tuesday, is grad
ually getting in motion. The en-
crossing department has assembled
much Of the necessary material for
the annual avalanche Of new bills.
J. G. Townsend, chief clerk, said
1900 bill covers had been procured.
1t was emphasized that the cost this
year Is approximately double that
OF one year ago.
]. Wilson Gibbes, clerk OF the
house. Is engaging rooms for the
members of the legislature. Nearly
200 members of the two houses and
attaches come to Columbia with the
opening of the general assembly.
Hotels and boarding houses have
been operating under capacity pres
sure Of the time since the organiza-
ton of the cantonment last Septem-
ber and the placing of several hun
dred persons is task of no insignifi-
cant proportions.
Now Writing Message.
Governor Manning is busily en-
gagged in framing his annual mes
sage, but has given no hint as to the
particular legislation that will be
recommended. That the State will
be asked to place itself fully and
unselfishly behind the national plan
to prosecute the war to a triumphal
finish is assured. Measures which
viii tend to increase the production
Of foodstuffs will in all likelihood
be suggested. Support for the State
Council of Defense will also be
asked.
Liquor legislation will also hold
an important place on the program.
Leaders OF the prohibition sentiment
In the State will make a determined
fight to have the national prohibition
constitutional amendment ratified
this session. South Carolina could be
the first to ratify, If the two houses
should act with dispatch.
Effort will also be made to have
a bone dry prohibition law passed in
substitution for the quart a month
act. Should this movement fail, an
other possible move will be made to
further strengthen the quart a month
law. to prevent fragrant violation.
Legislators will also take cognizance
of wholesale violation of the pro-
hibition laws of the State through
the sale of near beers, elders and
other soft drinks. Some plan will
be asked for State analysis of all
brands shipped and sold.
Several Vacancies.
The first task before the house of
representatives will be the election
of a speaker to succeed James A.
Hoyt, who recently moved to De-
troit, Mich. Three candidates are
asking for this place: T. p. Cothran
OF Greenville, n. G.. Evans of Edge
field and Joseph Berry Of Orange
burg. Several other vacancies exist
in the house, where members have
joined the colors and now hold COM
missions In the army. some OF lneSe
are: Lumpkin Of Richland county;
McCutchen OF Sumter; Mauldin of
Greenville; Horton OF Spartanburg;
Passailaigue of Charleston; Richey
OF Laurens; Smith of Georgetown
and Fripp OF Beaufort. Some of
these are said to have asked for
leave OF absence from the army and
will attend the sessions OF the legis-
lature.
Among the more important Ques-
tions to be considered will be:
Adequate support for the Home
Guard. which has been organized to
take the place Of the National Guard.
Military training In the public
schools of the State.
Rearrangement of the conduct OF
the State department of agriculture.
Adequate legislation for the sup
port of the State council Of defense.
Amendments to the labor laws.
Strict vagrancy laws to prevent
loaiing In the cities and thereby pro-
vide more labor for the farms of the