Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-01-21
Wednesday, January Fl.
Our Columbia Letter.

Columbia, Jan. 2.-One week OF
the general assembly has passed with
but little accomplished. Some new
measures of minor Importance have
been introduced but the larger ques-
tions are yet untouched. Both houses
will get down to solid work early this
week and there is some hope of max
ing this session shorter than that of
year ago. The epidemic of infiuen-
"a greatly retarded the work of the
last session.
The two principal features of the
first legislative week were the annual
message of the Governor delivered
in person before the joint assembly
and the address in the hall of the
House by Vice-President Thomas R.
Marshall who was in Columbia as the
guest of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Governor Cooper's address was
characteristic in that it was straight
forward, frank and business-like. But
it is not probable that all of his sug-
gestions and recommendations will
be enacted into law at this session.
Some may never be, as there is much
opposition to some of the sweeping
changes, the abolition Of free schol-
arships, for instance.
The members of the general as
sembly are eagerly awaiting the bud
get which is to be presented from
the governors Office. 1t is yet in the
hands of the printers. The budget for
the State government, colleges, pen
al and other institutions is said to
embody sums of staggering proper
tions. The legislature, while disposed
to move forward along progressive
lines, is not in humor, at least now,
early in the session, to permit extrav-
agance along any line. During this
period of readjustment and recon-
struction it is mighty good time to
practice rigid economy, both as in
dividuals and as State. To practice
economy, however, does not mean
that no money should be spent. 1t
does mean that not dollar should
be unwisely or unnecessarily spent.
Two matters of interest to the
people of Edgefeld have been unani-
mously agreed upon by the delega-
tion. Instead of having the marriage
license fee of one dollar disposed of
as heretofore, fifty cents retained by
the judge of probate and fifty cents
paid into the general school, bill
will be introduced providing for the
full amount to be retained by the
Judge probate. This will supplement
the very meagre income of his Office
and will take very little from the
schools of the county. Unless some
provision is made for increase of pay
for the judge of probate the Office
will sooner or later be filled by an
undesirable person. No good man
could be induced to serve in that ca
pacity for such limited compensa-
tion. The other item of interest to
the county is the increase of the
amount received by all of the public
cotton weighers of the county from
ten cents to twenty cents per bale
half to be paid by seller and the
other half by the buyer. Numerously
signed petitions from. farmers and
cotton buyers were presented asking
for the increase. The inceased cost
of living and labor made it necessary
for the weighers to receive more for
their work
The atmosphere is surcharged with
good roads legislation. Everybody
has some pet, sure-to-work, the-best-
of-all scheme. 1t is practically GER
tain that before the close of the ses-
sion something definite, some really
workable plan, will be agreed upon.
In fact, there should be no adjourn
ment-eyen if legislators have to
stay here on their own expense until
Augudt-before something is done
to lift South Carolina (and Edge-)
field county, out of the mud and
mire.
Another big question, large if for
no other reason because both great
national political parties are tooth
and toe behind it, is the ratification
of the suffrage amendment. AT this
time, before the fair suffragists
march this week in one solid phalanX
upon the Capitol, the sentiment IN
both houses is against the ratification
of what will. soon OF later, become