The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-12-23
CAPITAL NEWS AND GOSSIP
(By John K. Aull.)

Columbia, Dec. 22.-The legisla-
ture is only three weeks off, and, as
is usual on the eve of session,
there is considerable discussion and
speculation as to just what Will be
attempted and what will be accom-
plished.
Some of the outstanding questions
which will confront the lawmakers
are:
Permanent highways.
Improved common school facilities.
with mere adequate pay for teach
eTS.
The attitude of South Carolina
with reference to The proposal teGer-
al amenGnler.. hestowing equal SUI
frage upon women.
Taxation. including the proposal
for an Inheritance tax.
There are a numGes of divergent
opinions as to the best manner to
proceed in the read matter, but the
general .concensus of opinion seems
to favor a system of sCste highways,
with brane? highways through the
counties. Everybody favors I'M
proved highways, but the great
, trouble anticipated is Tor some agree
ment to be reached upon the method
! of securing them. The main
! thoroughfares of the state are now IN
most deplorable condition. The
road between Augusta and Columbia
is almost impossible. Beyond Colum-
, bla going north, via Camden, the
road is in the worst condition it has
been in some years. Between Col
umbia and Charleston the roads are
bad, and between Columbia and
Greenville and Spartanburg they are
bad. These are the main arteries,
and they are unworthy the name of
roads.
It would seem that if a plan could
be devised under which the state sys-
tenn should include such roads as
these and others, via the county
seats, with the counties building the
branch roads in their respective ter
ritories, guaranteeing to each county
an equitable division of the taxes in
proportion to the amounts raised
therein, and giving credit for the
permanent highways already con-
strueted in some of the counties, that
there would be- little opposition and
that start could be made at this
session.
There is an urgent need for i'm
provement in the common school sys-
tenn, and for larger salaries for
teachers. The scarcity of competent
teachers has become alarming and
the reason is not far to seek. A
man or woman competent to teach
children in the public schools of the
state can command almost anywhere
far greater salary than the state
pays it's teachers. This is matter
which is going to demand the serious
attention of the lawmakers.
The higher institutions of the
state are we'll supported, and are IN
fourishing condition, and it would be
lust as well to call halt upon fur
ther enlargement in this particular
| if necessary, until more adequate
assistance is given the common
schools, in order that the educational
system may not become topneaVy.
Colleges would be Of little real value
unless supported by the rudimeASary
schools.
The federal suffrage amendment
has already been discussed at some
length in this correspondence. The
women are to have a meeting here
next month, and they are going to
make a determined effort to secure
| favorable action at the coming ses-
sion.
The suffragists are up against two
obstacles-the prejudice which has
existed in the south against women
voting, and the State Rights argu-
ment against granting the suffrage to
women by federal amendment. AS
to the latter, South Carolina already
set the precedent when she surrend-
cred her police powers by ratifylng
| the prohibition amendment.
| Just what the attitude OF the legls-
lature will be, it would be hard to
predict, but, as stated some time
ago, it may be that the whole matter
will be postponed until the next ses-
sion and the people be given an op-
portunity to express themselves IN
the election the coming summer.
Taxes we have wit hus always. and
the taxation problem will be one OF
prime Importance at the coming ses-
sion. Taxes are now very, very high.
In Columbia they amount to nearly
sixty mills, or about 5.8 per cent. If
property were returned at actual
value, they would be well-nlgh
confscatory. What would seem to be
needed above all else, as it has been
needed in the past, is some workable
| plan for equalization. This is an
elementary proposition, but; past
legislatures have seemed unable to
find the remedy. Just what TINS
legislature may accomplish in that dl-
ERECTION remains to be seen. The state
tax commission has been working
along these lines for several years.
and has placed a great deal of prop
l hos har