The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-02-05
WORK OF THE
LEGISLATURE

NOiurnDla, FEB. 3.--ReDrCSc ntatiVe
Claude n. Sapp. of Columbia, Thurs
day introduced i'm the house of repre-
sentatives the much -hcralded bill to
raise the 'age of consent" from IA
to 16.
The bill provides that q person
abusing woman child under tho
age OF 16 shall be guilty of felony
and shall suffer punishment the
same as for rape. 1t provides that if
the girl abused is over ten years of
age. the person found guilty CT the
abuse may be recommended to the
mercy Of the court.
This is the bill go strongly urged
by the South Carolina League of Wo-
men Voters and is aimed. it is said,
at reducing immortality in the state.
Not Tried I'm Absence.
Representative Dickson, of Ander-
son, has introduced bill in the
house providing that no defendant,
charged with any crime. shall be
Tied in his absence. unless his pres
ence Is waived by his counsel.
Representative Dillon, Of Charles
ton. has introduced hill in the
house To make il unlawful for oper-
ators OF any sailing vessel to allow
wa;er of any harbor on the South
Carolina coast. Heavy fines are pro-
vided against violations.
Engineers Examiners.
Representatives Beacham and Sher-
ard. of Greenwood. have introduced in.
the house of representatives a bin to
create state board of engineers cx-
aminers. The board would have five
members. each to receive $40 per
diem for the days serving.
Representative Hanahan has in
troduced a bill to abolish the dog
tax.
Representative Mcmillan, of Char
eston, has introduced q bill to make
II misdemeanor for any person to
hire a motor vehicle and not pay for
II. A fine of from s25 TO $1,000, or
imprisonment not to exceed thirty
days, would be the penalty.
Columbia Feb. 3.-'The Richland
Cotton Marketing association, the
'irst cotton marketing plan to be in
corporated by legislation, is proposed
In bill before the Legislature today,
Introduced by Representative w. ID.
tarnett. Of Columbia. The associa-
ton. II the bill becomes Jaw, will have
lis o!llcc in Columbia and will en-
lance the value of Columbia as IA cot
ton market for the central par. OF the
state.
The bill provides for the election by
the Richland County Cotton associa-
tion or board of five directors, TO
have control OF the marketing bureau
The marketing association would
maintain an office where assistance
can be given the cotton producers in
selling his crop. The association
wouh employ federal cotton grad
ar and also cotton weighers. and the
services Of these experts would he
called i'm connection with every cot
ton sale in the county.
The marketing associa gion would
be supported by the collection Of a
fec of forty cents on each bale of cot
,on sold. this to be paid by the buyer
at the time of purchase.
The bill provides that n cotton
buyer who fails to make the reduc-
lion OF forty cents for each bale Of
cotton purchased. the forty cents to
go TO the marketing bureau. shall be
tined $25, this to be paid to the Rich
land Cotton association.
Columbia. Feb. 3.--Reprcsentative
Wade. Of Aiken, has introduced an
other OF the many abolition" bills
Of the present genera! assembly. His
would provide for the cleo ion Of the
offices Of chief state game warden
and the office OF superintendent Of
the State Penitentiaiy by the people,
instead Of by the general assembly
as at present.
w. ". Gibbes. of Columbia, the
present chief game warden, retires
March |. 10 he succeeded by A. A.
Richardson. who was elected bv the
general assembly last week. COL "A.
h. Sanders was reelected superin-
tendent OF the pcnitentiary by the
general assembly last week. Rep
resentative Wade's bill would make
these two offices elective i'm the gen
oral election.
Represo nta'ive Sellers Is the author
OF an abolition" bill also. He is in
producing In the house a bin to abol-
ifh all scholarships i'm state eduCa-