The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-26
House Spends Two Days Dis
cussings Yellow Dog Tax
and Does Nothing.
SENATE PASSES THE
COOPER BUDGET BILL
Senator Clifton Leads tae Fight
for Good Roads Legislation
People Demand Better Roads.

Columbia, Feb. 21.-The house OF
representative spent the greater por-
ton of two days discussing the ques-
ton OF imposing tax on dogs. Much
lnore time was spent in the consider
alton Of this measure than was spent
in the consideration Of the appro-
priation BILL After the consumption
OF an Of this time the measure was
killed, or rather postponed until the
next session.
The senate last night passed the
bi,l providing for the adoption of q
budget system for the State, similar
to- the. Virginia system. Senator
Laney. OF Chesterfield made a hard
fight against the system but only four
members of the senate stood by him.
The sentiment of the senate was
overwhelmingly in favor Of the pro-
position. The system was advocated
b5 Governor Cooper.
i. Indications now are that the gen
eral assembly Will hardly adjourn
before next Saturday The appro-
piraticn bill will not he reported to
senate before Tuesday night. It will
hardly get through before THURSDAY
or Friday. There will probably be
great many changes in the meas
ure In the senate.
81 The. senate is yet to act on the
compulsory education bill passed by
the house. It will probably take up
the bill next week. Senator Duncan
OF Union has offered substitute
measure for the bill passed by the
house.
SIT I were the governor Of South
Carolina and had told the people that
fgVcTed good roads and this gen.
sei-.l assenhlv adjourned without TAX
Ing any action looking TO the con-
permanent highways in
iiia State, would call an extra ses-
sion to pass such legislation de-
ciseed Senator John H. Clifton of
scnl.er. in an eloquent argument on
fha floor of the senate last night IN
fa-or of action at this session looking
rs the construction OF. permanent
highways
The senator from Sumter declared
tthat it would be a disgrace and
caiInany if the general assembly ad-
senater said that unfortunately all
.af his property lay some distance
away from. the proposed highway
system bat that that would not af-
feet his vote because he believed
Tint permanent highways would be
s The salvation of the State.
It now appears quite likely that
fesssiation providing for a pernaa-
nent highway system will be passed
after all at this session. The house
Tuesday night killed all sach legis-
Iation by a narrow margin but SEN
tinaent in the senate is overwhelr-
ingly in favor Of legislation and It
now appears that the house desires
Is Undo that which it has done.
The only bill passed by the house
-as the Belser measure providing for
the enlargement Of the State high
way commission to ten members
This Bill is now before the senate and
that body is expected to amend it and
include in it some Of the provisions
that were in the legislation rejected
by the. house Tuesday night. 1t is
now believed that the house VIII ac-
cent these provisions.
The people of the State are aroused
over the action of the. house in re-
,ecting pending legislation and let
ters and telegrams have been pouring
II on the senate urging that some
thing be done. In the meantime
some Of the members Of the house
have also been hearing from home.