The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-02-11
NEXT TWO LEGISLATIVE
WEEKS MOST IMPORTANT

Work SO Far Has Paseo the way 'o'
vitaliy Important Legislation
Which is Under Con-
sideration.
\ Columbia, Feb. 10.-With practically
four weeks of the session behind them,
and with the way paved for such ac-
tion as the majority may decide upon
in the several important pending mat
ters, which are either on the calendar
or have been introduced and are in
committee, indications would seem to
point to final adjournment of the gen
eral assembly by Saturday, February
%, which would just about make an
average-length session.
Having gone home for the weekend,
the solons will come back to Colum-
bia today and Tuesday with their
minds practically made up on their
action for the remaining days Of the
session. The elective State officers
salary bill having been passed during
the first week, which enabled the pres
ent officers to receive the benefit OF
it during their present terms, which
began on January 81, both the house
and senate the past week put through
bills increasing the salaries of the ju-
dietary and court officials, and one or
two other State officers. The senate
bill made more increases than the
house bill, but both bodies having
voted in favor of increases there would
seem every probability Of an agree.
ment In free conference committee.
The house bill provides salary for
the chief justice Of $500; supreme
court justices, $4,000 each. eliminating
the provision for 500 travelling ex-
penses; circuit solicitors, $4,000 and
court stenographers. $1,000. The two
houses will probably agree on the
house bill. The bill also carries $4,000
each for the chairman Of the tax COM
mission, superintendent Of the peniten-
tiary and chief game warden.
AS to Roads.
Neither house mas as yet taken any
definite action upon the various good
roads measures which have been intro
duced. The central steering commit
tee has introduced in the house
measure to provide machinery and lay
the foundation for highway improve
ment of a permanent character, which
would steer clear, if necessary, Of a
bond issue at this time, but which
would provide for the expenditure OF
such an issue and provide for its re-
tirement by automobile licenses, ETC.,
if an issue should be voted now or at
any time soon. If there should be no
such issue, motor vehicle licenses, fed
eral aid and State leyies would be put
to work upon permanent improve
ments.
Tax Commission and Taxes.
The tax commission is still up in the
air The house having voted to abol-
ish the commission, 1t is now up to
the senate, and it seems probable that
the commission will weather the
storm. The measure to abolish the
commission and the measure to create
a state board Of assessors in its place
which would include all the various
measures along this line, so far as in
dicating the position Of the senate is
concerned-have been made special Or
ders for early in the week. and it is
probable that vote will not be long
delayed.
There has been no indication from
the ways and means committee so far
as to what total will be carried by the
general appropriation bill. 1t is
thought, however, that it will neces-
sariiy be somewhat larger than last
year, but it is being urged that the in
crease in taxable value should take
care of il without an Increase IN the
levy. The ways and means commit
tee is working hard to whip the meas
ure into shape. Representative W. r.
Bradford, of York, an experienced leg
islator, is chairman of this commit
tee.
Education.
So far as the educational situation
is concerned, there is little change
from the status as noted in the re-
view of the proceedings published in
this correspondence several days ago.
A general compulsory education bill
appears certain Of enactment, with ad-
equate provision for It's enforcement.
The ages will probably be from eight
to fourteen, and the legnth Of attend
ance required something in the neigh
horhood of four months each school