The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-02-16
IEcIsI AT1VE DOINCs = -.
OF TIE PAST WEEK

Columbia, Feb. 14s--Another> week
of the Legislative session has passed
into history with practically nothing
4 accomplished in way Of new legisla-
Ton. Which. In .view OF the fact that
there are already many laws on the
books, may not be so bad as it sounds
Depending ON how you look atit. But
the inaction was In no sense because
of lack OF bills. because. there are
mn bnls OF many varieties still
psndang.
sThe feature of the week was the
aaick passage OF the eaapproprla ton
SSbrtns.the house, beth second and
third readings being accomplished at
one ssttting. A determined fight was
1nade by Representative J.. E. Owens
nf Marlboro to. make some reductions
iri che bill. he being particularly
sfrenaeus in his opposition 5to, the
university; hut he metwith no. success
whateAer: Among the stannch de-
s tenders OF the university was Repre-
sentative Bas,rsof Lexing ton. who made
4 strong appeal for adequate support
OF the institution. On the other hand
those who attempted to inject amend
nent proposing Increases Of various
items were just as unsuccessful, the
! bnl going through practically as 1t
came from the committee. Consid-
Grafton of the. bill will te had in the
senate probabl the last Of the pres
lent week Those familiar with lobby
gossip are expecting somewhat of a
fight on the; bill in the senate. 1t is
generally reported in Columbia that
E. w. Dabbs of Sumter county, the
head of the taxpayers convention,
with the assistance of a legislative
committee from that body, have an
appropriation of their own; which will
be submitted to the senate for its
Sconsideratio when the bill is reported
out Of COMMITTEES. 1t remains to be
seen how kindly the senate will take
to such suggestion.
The appropriation bill as passed by
the house provided, for levy of II
mills. or just one mill less than the
state levy of last year, but it also sus-
pended the two mill levy for roads,
Thus making "a reduction Of mills.
But the ways and means committee
has also introduced several revenue
measures, including an inheritance tax
sEfaw, an income tax law, business
tax, Which if passed will further re-
duee the levy materially. The greater
part of the session is gone, however,
and unless there is. practical unani-
nifty on these bills in both houses
! their passage at this time is extreme
ly doubtful A stiff fight in either
house might prevent their passage In
time TO become effective this year.
The house still seems to be in the
killing mood and several bills met an
nntinrsIy fate last week, among them
sone to provide for calling constitu-
stionaI convention. This bill would
have provided for voting on the ques-
ton, OF whether such convention
would be called at the next general
election. Although its author. Rep
sresentxtive Claude Sapp Of Riehland,
made strong fight for the bill it was
killed.
The house having passed a bill
sproviding for a forty-eight hour. week |
lin all cotton mills, the measure went
to the senate, where a hearing was
held last week, both proponents and
9cnponents of the, measure having.
sfrn The chances. are that the meas
Sure MHlsnot get Through the senate
NitApats stiff fight. >.r,. =.
a The hA providing by Jaw for re-
duc5pa in cotton acreage, cham
sploaed in the house by Representative
sM06er Of Newberry, was laid to rest
s1aHs week A similar bill by the
Senator Johnstone of Newberry is
sStiu pending in the senate, but since
the house has refused to enact such a
law it is not likely that it will take
,sslI much time in the senate.
Local Matters.
There have been few developments