The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-19
ECONOMY ORGY
IN LEGISLATURE
First Term Lawmakers Seek
Fame and Popularity by At
tack in Taxes
PROPOSED TO CUT SAL.
ARIES AND EVERYTHING
Wild-Eyed SOlons Carried Away
With the Idea That Cheapness
is Economy

Is ECONOMY
Columbia. Jan. 17.--Members OF
the legislature are returning to Co.
lumbia this afternoon for the second
week Of the 1921 session, q session
that promises to be unusual in many
respects. The house meets this even
ing. the senate Tuesday morning at
IL o'clock.
The first week of the session has
been marked mainly by organization,
committees In the two houses having
been appointed and their chairman
elected. The machinery Is ready for
work.
There has been noticeable trend OF
ideas in the session thus far. Many
Of the legislators came to the capt.
tol. especially new members, with
an ambition to raise their voice for
lower taxes. Many Of them came
armed with proposed legislation aim
ed at cutting governmental costs. The
first week was marked by the intro
duction Of a number OF such meas
ures. Representative Bramlett, Of
Gi eenville, had o resolution limiting
total appropriations to FIVE million.
Representative Mower offered a res
o!ution to limit the total levy to nine
mills. A resolution was introduced
In the senate. by Senator Wells, to
limit appropriations this year to $4.-
100000. Two resolutions were intro
duced by postpone payment Of taxes,
under penalty, until April /. Senator
bf TIT
abolition Of the tax commission, of
the state welfare board, Of truant Of
fcers and reducing all state and coun-
ty salaries fifteen per cent. Nearly
every speech referred to the financial
situation and the need for cutting
down expenses and appropriations.
The legislators came with an idea
that their one duty was to cut down
taxes and appropriations Their first
efforts have not amounted to much,
and 1t took the first week to get ut
least part of the idea out of. their
systems. q prominent legislator re-
marked. Now they are ready for bus
mess, and leaders in the two branches
take the position that the urgent
needs OF state government and the
public welfare must determine the
limit to which public funds shall be
appropriated.
just before adjournment Friday the
senate received resolution from
Senator Mason. calling for n discon-
tinuance OF pessimistic, hard-times
talk. The farmers are not broke he
said. declaring that he himself is
farmer. and he urged that the scna-
tors put their time TO their duty ard
stop their grumbling. Senator John
stone. of Ncwbcrry, urged that each
senator find out, while at home over
the weekend, what the sentiment
among his constituents was regarding
the necessity for postponing the col
lection Of taxes. with penalty, until
April 1, and to what extent such ac-
ton would hurt the admins ration
of county affairs. During the COM
less begin constructive considerat ,on
of their gigantic. over hadowing
problem. OF state finances
The coming week will be ma IKE
by the Inauguration ceremonies at
1880 Tuesday. with Associate Justice
Watts administering the oath to Gov.
Cooper. Lieut.. Governor-elect Will
son G.. Harvey, OF Charleston. and
Comptroller General-elect Walter
Duncan. of Aiken. arc the only two
new officials to be sworn in. Gov
Cooper's inaugural address will be
on the subject of education.
During the coming week the state
budget will likely be submitted to the
general assembly by the budget COM
mission. In the house thia week
there will be debated n resolution, al
ready passed BY the senate. urging
the national congress to take action
at the present session continuing the
plan Of federal aid for state high
ways. Representative Claude Sapp.
of Columbia. introduced the measure
i'm the house.
on Tuesday and Wednesday. after
the Legislature has adjourned. the ses-
sions Of the South Carolina Life Tn
derwriters' association convention will
De held i'm the hall Of the house Of
rcpresen natives. Several hundred in
surancc men from all parts of the
state arc expected to attend the con-
vcntion.