The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, January 10, 1905, EXTRA, Image 9
EXTRA
NEWBERRY, S. C., TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1905.
GOVERNOR HEYWA I
WORK !
He Stands for Orde
ment -
THE ANNUAL-MESSIGE TO
Recommends 'Compulsory Educal
Charter to South Carolina Co
Departmento of Immigrat
Dispensary Law-T-w
Circuits
To the Honorable, the Gentlemen of
the General Assembly.
The annual meeting of your honor
able body brings a season of respon
sible duties, of arduous labors. In ac
cordance with the requirements of the
constitution, I herewith transmit to you
my annual message, with the assur
ance that I am ready to cooperate with
you In advancing the weal and the dig
nity of oi/ -nmonwealth. As a mat
ter of po importance, I shall first
direct yo ention to the condition of
rtate's fitiances.
Ftnanetal C,ndition of the State.
.For a number .f years past the State
has been under the 'necessity of bor
rowing money to meet its current ex
penses. The amount borrowed has been
annually increasing, until last year the
State treasurer was compelled to bor
row the sum of $500,000. The reason
for this increase lies in the fact that
since the year 1900 the expenditures of
tbe State have annually exceeded .the
revenue.
In 1900 the expenditure exceeded the
tevenue by .310,045,42; , in 1901 the ex
pe*diture exceeded the revenue by
$13,924.29; in 1902 - the expenditure ex
ceeded' the .re v_enue by:$208,795.23.
In 1903 there:*as an apparent excess
of revenue over expenditures amount
ing to $56,304.29, but in reality the ex
penditures exceeded. the revenue by
$32,833.57, for the reason that the sum
of $89,137.86 was then received in. set
tlement -of claims against the United
States governmeht, and was placed in
expenditures exceeded the revenue by
at least $100,000, making a total excess
of expenditure over revenue of $365,
598.51 for the past five years.
In 1903 the general assembly, realiz
ing that this condition of affairs should
(7no longer exist, an~pointed a committee
to .consider "how best to put the State
-upon a cash basis, what adgiitional
sources of revenue for the State are
available, and what changes should be
made in existIng laws for the -assess
ment and collection of taxes."
This committee reported at your last
session, makingeseveral recommenda
tions, the only one adopted, however,
being a license tax upon all corpora
tions. This law becomes operative this
year, and it is estimated that it will
add $80,000 to the State's revenue. The
estimated revenue from the' five-mill
levy for the present fiscal year-will be
* $1,050,000. The insurance license fees
and the fees fi om the office of the sec
retary of state may be estimated at
$50,000. To 'this we may add $80.000
from li&ense fees, making a totaa rev
*enue 'for 1905 of $1,180,000.
It will thus be seen that, if the ex
penditures are the same as last year,
there will again be a deficiency, with
no provision, made to place the State
upon a cash\ basis.
tn this connection I beg to call your
attention to an article of the constitu
tion: "The general assembly shall pro
vide for .an annual tax sufficient to
defray the estimated expenses of the
State for ea ch year, and whenever it
shall happen that -the ordinary ex
penses of the State for any year shall
exceed the income of the State for such
year, the general assembly shall pro
vide for levying a tax for the ensuing
year sufficient, with othier sources of$
income, to pay the deficiency of the
preceding year, together with the es
timated expenses of the ensuing year."
(Article 10, Section 2.)
Had this provision of the constitu
tion been observed in the past. as it
should have been, the State would not
now be in its present financial condi
tion, and I deem it needless to impress
upon you the mandatory terms of this
provision.. The constitution requiring
that you shall make provision to meet
ihe deficiency of the past ye, an a
such having been ignored here ore,
it is but fair to assume that thP -
port o.f the constitution imposes l
/you the duty of making a like pro s5
ion for previous years.
* I have laid before you as briefly as
possible the very unsatisfact.ory' con
dition of the Stat'e's finances. This
-seridus status of affairs calls for
prompt and efficient action. It is your
paramount duyto meet this.
5a.estly seeking to rem Ya -
tio which has ret.ched a p6n wh re
action -annot longer be evaded or -dis
regardea. You are the sworn~ repr e
sentatives of the people, and upon you
alone devolves the duty and reisponsi-:
bility of squarely meeting this un
Shealthy condition in the most impor
tant department of our govermnent.
In my last message, dealing with this
subject. _I said:
"This is the most important function
Sof the State. so far as its business ai
aieare concerned, and it is not only
an unwise, but a suicidal, policy .o
~tinu1e expending more money than
~ evenues of the State a,mount to.
Th Q tion resolves itself into this.
that es. nditures must be curtailed,
ormoe venue raised. The former. I
fea, s kprctiabe,and the latter
can only pe done mn one of three ways:
Sby requiring the county author
SREVIEWS V
F THE PAST YEAR.
S
a
r ai1d the ERIfoCes
a
a
laws.t
y
n
g
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY t
S
C.
t:
ion-Favors Granting University b
ilege-Commends Work of the c
a
ion-Suggests Changes in e
b
o Additional Judicial
Favored.
1
b
ascertaining and placing upon the tax
books all property, to exercise a rigid I
supervision of tax returns, and forcing
them to require a proper listing of
property heretofore escaping taxation.
Second,,by a license tax, as suggested a
a
by your committee; or, third, by in
creasing the tax levy, which is undesir- d
able, as it will only place additional u
burdens hpon the honest taxpayer, n
while the tax dodger still escapes." a
In reference to the curtailment of r
expenditures, I am still of the opinion s,
that they cannot be materially reduced,
for the reason that the exigencies aris- a
I ing from the material growth and the t]
political conditions of our State are c:
such as will not justify any appreci- N
able decrease. It is therefore clearly s,
manifest that our revenue must be in- 1E
creased; and, as I have. said, this can a:
be done in one of three ways. One of a
these -propositions-a license tax-has ti
already been adopted, but, as has been n
shown, this does not meet the require- p
ments of the situation. The other two si
alternatives remain: to increase the
.property assessment, or to raise the tj
tax levy. s1
In reference to increasing the assess- 9
ment, and as to the machinery for ac- 3
.corplishng this,' I beg to refer you to it
ort of the cornptroller general.
As will 'be seen' by this report, the
comptroller general believes that our
present assessment laws are sufficient,
if properly enforced, and suggests in
I what. way they can be enforced. He t
calls attention to an accepted fact that t
proper is now generally assessed be
low its real value, which is contrary to
the requirements of the constitution,
1 ind adds :that much personal property t]
is now entirely escaping taxation. This a
is a complex and difficult -subject, and s
I commend the painstaking presenta
tion made by the comptroller general. e
in his comprehensive report, to- your o
careful and earnest consideration. You .
areaware of the fact that an assess- d
ment. of all property will be made in a
196; therefore, if the assessment is to
be. ncreased, steps should now be t]
taken looking to that end. Should s
nothing be ac.complished at this ses- n
sion to increase the property assess- g
menit, it only- remains for you to in- ir
crease the t..x levy, which shonld and
must be done, in order that the dignity ,
and integrity of the State shall be
properly maintained. ri
The .income tax law is practically c
disrea-ded throughout the State, the
only exception of importance being
Richiand county for the past year-.s
The entire receipts from the tax go
into the State treatsury for State pur- I
poses, and better provision should be g
made for-'the enforcement of this lawc
alike in all counties. c
Our present law, fixing a nominal
penalty for nonpayment of taxes with
in the time required by law, should be c<
amended, a.nd a penalty of 10 per r<
cent, should immediately attach upon p;
all taxes remaining unpaid on Janu- et
ary 1. I recommend that the time al- ti
lowed for the payment of delinquent s]
taxes, with penalty, be fixed at 60 days. a
The law as it stands at present is cum- lh
ersome and difficult to enforce, and 6:
is of no practical benefit. p
| The law authorizes the governor, by Il
I and with the advice and consent of the n
senate, to appoint county auditors and s<
treasrers. The governor now makes ta
the appointment of these officers as the s
result of a party primary, which prac- ci
tically means their selection by the ti
people. The auditor, in my opinion. n~
should be entirely free from the im
fluences of politics, and I recommend tl
that appropriate legislation be enacted fl
prohibiting any party from placing this
office in a primary. ti
Sinking F4unas. t
The assets of these several funds on
December 31, 1904 are as follows:n
Cumulative sinking- fund (for reduc- r'
tion and payment of South Carolina
Brown 4 1-2 per cent. bonds). $527,- i
248.59. Ordinary sinking fund, $64.- ti
109.88, of which $2,936.73 belong to
escheats and $61,173.15 to the ordinary 9r
sinking fund proper. Sinking fund for I0
insurance of public buildings, $16,471.62.
Statements- will be found in the re
ports of the commissioners of the.sink- ~
ingdund for the year 1904, showing ini
dedta'll how these three funds are in-a
iseid, and loaned; and how they have
sepicreased during the past year. b
'. Revenue Bond Scrip. C
,December 19, 1904, the supreme s<
the -United.States affirmed the
decision of tlie~ UiitedEtatec t Ttd
court; in the case of Lee against Rob- i
inson, and declared the revenue bond
scrip of the State to be void. Under
the act of March 2, 1872-, $1,800,000 of Ib4
this scrip was issued, and since the of
year of its issue, its validity has con- g
stanty-.been before the courts. By i
this decision the State is forever re- inl
lieved of the liability to redeemt the
$1.800.000 of scrip outstanding, and a
: menace to her finances has been re- sI
moed Had the decision been the c<
other way, the State would have been ul
ompelled to pay this $l.800.000. ' a
Since December, 1901, the interests 11
c the State have been represenlted by S
Zr. William Elliott. Jr., of the Colum- s
bia bar, who appeared at the request 1:
of thy attorney general's office. 31r. jp
Elliott has rendered valuable service I U
to the~ State. Which servie- certainly T
deerves compensation, anid I recomn- I ol
1ni that he b Pais. u_ , . -amt h:
1iay ~ wappnt ti you just and iquit- vn
Etiuat inetinal I ntitutions. du
I am deeply gratified to report tc, of
jur honoi-able, hody that during he lif
ist vear Li,:- s-reat cause of -duca
on has continued to advance in our to
tate. No great.er nor more all-import- of
at cause can deFmand our thought. r-e
ir care and our best energies. II all m
nes, mater!it and industrial. as a St
tate. we have prospered, and to know e
mt our common schools and our high- (
r institutions of learning reflect this in
rogrss and prosperity iii the highest, or
est and most important interests of cc
commonwealth, should be. as it is. ]a
source of pride and of pleasure to us of
11. Time, labor and money spent for fo
1p purpose of educating our ch,ildren fu
jeld a return than which there is fo
one greater. Ignorance is an evil sl
-hich we cannot afford to permit-it ni
; a crime against the future, and to ai
et rid of the deplorable condition ar
-ould be money well spent at almost- a<
ny cost. The spirit manifested by ut
'e masses of our people all over the za
tate is a. safe guarantee of the hope fo
iat the future wili continue to re- w
eal progress and even greater suc- at
ss in this all-important cause. p(
The reports of the higher institu- la
ons of learning which are supported a<
y the State will be submitted to you
y the State superintendent of edu- of
ation. These papers will command ti
our interest and every one will show si
satisfactory condition of affairs gen- st
rally in these institutions. - I do not a
elieve it is necessary for me to go Im
ito details, especially as the reports, re
All and complete. will be before you.
At the South Carolina college the a(
nrollment of students is larger, I be- 00
eve, than ever before in its history. a
'he new normal scholarships have th
een eagerly sought, they have been th
warded to most worthy and. deserv- ci
Ig applicants, and it is clear that they h<
ave been strong factors in infusing al
ew life and activity in this 4nstitu- w
on. of
At the South Carolina Military
cademy an increased attendance is
down. The efficiency of the gradu- sc
tes from this historic institution has di
,on signal recognition from the war st
epartment. and this is indeed a trib- t
te to the worth and excellence of its cc
ianagement. This is one of our oldest tb
nd most honored institutions of learn- re
ig, with a career of valued and useful cq
arvice to the State. ti(
Clemson college continues to grow th
nd flourish. Its capacity is taxed to ar
te fuilest extent. to accommodate the im
idets, and life' and growth are every- to
here in evidence. The agricultural to
holarships established at this col- qt
g'e at the last session of the general er
5sembly will attract many young men to
long the- lines for which this institu- to
on was primarily established. The ca
ew agricultural hall, recently com- ce
leted, is a valuable addition to its th
;lendid equipment. ar
Winthrop college, the only institu- in
on of learning which South. Carolina 6
.pports exclusively for the education SC
women, has a career which fully aC
istifies the distinction it enjoys. Since TI
s establishment it has grown year by Pr
ar in the hearts of our people, and sa
as proven a potent and Influential sa
Lctor in developing education in our al
tate. From its doors annually go ti,
rth young women who have received'
le most careful technical training as co
achers, and the effect of the work of nc
iese trained and cultivated educators lo:
| in evidence in every county in South a
arolina. fa
The South Carolina Institution for w:
ie Education of the Deaf and Blind. h,
t Cedar Spring, submits a report which be
'1ows that this ,institution is keeping ca
.ce with our other 'educational inter-cl
ts. ;I availed myself of the privilege at
1 visiting the school last year, and th
-as pleased and gratified to see evi- n
nces of the remarkable work which is so
acomplished. There can be no sub- Iw,
itute for the training, the system and pc
te helpful influences which are here th
) skilfully combined; there can be :
o just and adequate estimate of the fu
ood which is revealed in the mold- a
ig of useful lives. m
The trustees of these institutions, co
ith one exception, together with those in
the Colored Normal, Industrial. Ag- fu
cultural and Mechanical college.. at ca
rangeburg-which, I am glad to say,
well managed, and is doing good Pt
ork-all ask from you practically the at
tine appropriations as were given last ag
ear. I earnestly recommend that fo
ese appropriations be made, and the di.
tod work done, wi'"1 the results ac- th
implished, make me regret that wes
m.not do even more. w
Common Schools, a
In reference to the condition of the re
mmon schools of the State, I would TI
~spectfully refer you to the full and ea
instaking details which are present- w<
i in the report of our State superin- fit
~ndent of education. This report to
tows an increased attendance, and pr
so shows that 20 districts at your us
st session secured the passage th
special acts to issue bonds for the be
rpose of building new schoolhouses. ca
i this report is included the state- P0
ent that a very large number of D4
hool districts have levied special
res. It is gratify'ing to note that the
hool terms are gradually being in- th
eased, with larger salaries paid to si<
achers, which, in my opinion, is most pc
cessary and important. cu
Superintendent Mai-tin recommends TI
tat a certain per cent, of the school tic
mnds be set aside for the erection of pa
hool buildings by the county boards es
education, and in this recommnenda- sta
n I heartily concur. A recommtenda- of
on looking to an increase in the St
imber of rural school libraries, and cu
gulating their establishment, which m<
commendation also has my indorse- si:
ent. pa
In my last message I called atten-re
on to the necessity for establishing, 3
our larger cities and towtns, schools th
manual training, in which boys IT
ight be taught honorable pursuits. I fu
so urged the need for night schools, do
ipecially in mill communities. There St
much need for these schools, and I so
lain request you to give your care- cii
I attention to this subject.
In this connection I believe it would m
an. excellent plan to establish at th
emson, from the funds of the college, in
holarships in the textile school for
ae b,enefitL onne t.from the cot-.
~in111T*who seek technical ti-aining'
this dipartment. re
SQnth Cnrolina College.
I take 1t for granted that the mem
~rs of they general assembly are aware
the fact that for some tinme an or- qu
mized mov'ement has been steadily 1)
progresa looking toward a change sh
the orgeinization of this institution. a
In cons%luence of this roement. be
>plicatiot will be rmd'e to you at this ei
ssion to grant to the South Caro!ina t a
diege the title and charter' of a State s
aiversity. The trustees, the faculty'. al4
td the alum'ni of the college believe ha
a t ime htas comie for' enlariging th~ 1
here of 'usefulness of this vetnernhle 1 a
at of learning. I1 heartily favor the ot!
oposed blan and think the time most gr
oitious5 for this State to reestablish W
lis college upon a university basis. mi]
he co0llege has just celebrated its tir
le htndh-dth anniver'sary' and we a
i-e a right to hclievc that the ael- jTI
need :ind progres :Iv& spirit of edu- c
tion now so apparent in our State is t
e. in a large ineasurt, to the century I
hoiiored years which has marked the t
E and worth of this institution. X
I shall not attnipt to do more than
briefly direct your attt.ntion to some I
the weighty reasons governing my i
commendation in this matter. Al
ost every State in the union has a I
ate university, and this is true of 1
'ery southern State except South I
trolina. We must provide such an
stitution sooner or later, or allow
r educational system to remain in
mnplete. It is a fact that for the
cvk of such an institution a number
young men now go to other States
r the instruction which should be
rnished them at home. The demand
r university facilities is further
own by the statement that a large
imber of the students of the college
e now outside of the regular courses,
id thus the faculty is forced by the
tual demands of th. students to do
fiversity work. A university organi
tion would offer far greater facilities
r expansion and growth, to. keep pace
ith the rapid advance of education,
id with the growing demands of the
,ople. Such a change would give
rger power for service, with but small
Iditional cost.
It is also the purpose of the board
trustees, in changing the organiza
mn of the college to that of a univer
Ly, to increase the facilities for in
ruction in the law department; to
Ld a commercial department, and to
ake such other additions as may be
quired.
To effect the necessary changes an
Iditional appropriation of only $10.
0 is asked for, and this is, I believe,
moderate amount when measured by
e results it will accomplish. I urge
is appropriation, and under the cir
imstances it should reasonably be
>ped that the united appeal of the
umni, the faculty and the trustees
ill receive the favorable consideration
your body.
Compulsory Eduention.
The people of this State have, for
me years past, shown an increasing
sposition to tax themselves for the
Ipport of their educational institu
mns. Especially is this true where our
mmon schools are concerned. By
is willingness Is shown a growing
alization of the fact that a State
n do nothing better for the protec
)n of its highest and truest interests
an by educating its children. Ignor
ice has ever been, not only a serious
cubus to any people, but a manace
its very civilization. This is truer
day than it has ever been, and the
testion forces itself upon our consid
ation. whether or not we can afford
allow any number of our chi!dren
grow up in ignorance. As near as
n be estimated from United States
nsus figures and from the reports of
e superintendent ok' education, there
e today about 25,000 white children
South Carolina between the ages of
and 12 years who do not attend
hool, though schools are easily
cessible to most of these children.
ie question then, and a vital one it is.
esents itself to us: can we, for the
ke not only of the State, but for the
ke of the children themselves, longer
low this deplorable condition to con
iue?
More than 30 States have adopted
mpulsory education, and we should
w seriously consider whether we can
iger afford to postpone taking such
step. Have our common school
cilities reached such a point as will
irrant' this action? I believe they
,ve. provided that the- proposed law
not too burdensome in its practi
I operation. By this I mean that
.ildren should not be compelled to
tend schools so far from their homes
at attendance would be a hardship,
r should the age limit for compul
ry education be too drastic. This
uld cause the law to become un
'pular and thus fail to accomplish I
e purpose for wvhich it was intended.
have given this matter much care
I thought, and I am convinced that
conservative beginning should be
ade at once. Later on, as our school
nditions advance and the law grows1
popularity and its necessity is more
lly realized, needed improvements
n be adopted.1
[recommend that you adopt a com
lsory education law, making it oblig-1
ory for all children between the
es of 8 and 12 years to attend school1
r a certain number of months
ring each year. The distance from
e school house to which this law
ould apply is a matter for your
se consideration. But, gentlemen,
school house should be within the
ich of every child in South Carolina.
le passage of such a law as I, most
rnestly urge upon your -attention
>uld, I feel sure, be of material bene
from every standpoint. The duty
train and educate our children, to
epare them for lives of infitzence and
efulness, should be as binding upon '
e State as it is upon parents, and is,
yond all question, an obligation we
n no longer afford to evade or post
ne.
~partment of Agriculture, Commerce
and Immuigration.
[t is with a great deal of pleasure
at I commend to your careful con
leration the full and admirable re
rt of the commissioner of agri
lture, commerce and immigration.
uis report shows, beyond any ques
4n, the urgent need for such a de
rtment. Among many most inter
ting statistics, the all-important
ttement that. *of the 19,308,800 acres
land included within the area of our
ate, only 5,775,741 acres are under I
Itivation-this one pregnant state
mt should awaken your zeal and1
mulate you in supporting this de-I
rtment, which already shows a t
:ord of wvork and results.
n advocating the establishment of I
is department in my last annual
~ssage, I did so after the most care
I consideration, being prompted to
so because of the belief that our
ate, with its great undeveloped re
arces, was sorely in need of an offi
tl move in this direction.
south Carolina, by thae establish- ~
mnt of this department, has become ~
a pioneer southern State in develop-j
i its agricultural and c' mnercial re
arces by means of immiazation fr
:ognition. ough this - epariment'
.s only established at your last ses
n, and our efficient commissioner
alified .iust nine months ago, the re-,
rt of Commissioner Watson wilif
>wv valuable and far-reaching results
-eady accomplished. It is difficult to
!!in a wvork of this nature; to otti- i
.lIy organize a State immigration de
rtment is an arduous task, especiallyt
when the State is beyond the lines If
ng which the immigration movement
s been progressi::g.
t was not until the 1st of August 1;
:t that AIr. WVatson was enabjled to a
ic'ially reac h desirable foreign immi- la
ants and to direct their thoughts to- v
rd South Carolina. Only a few~ v
mths have elapsed, but since this t
Ine more than 2'0 are now numberedr
tong the inhabitants of this State. * i
f Commissioner Watson, as is shown
,y the fact Ihat. more immigrants have
utnded here during the past few months
han for many years previous. These
vill be valuabl( additions to our citi
:enship, they have been carefully se
eeted, and many made bank deposits i
minediately upon arrival here.
II his work the commissioner has
ept strictly within the requirements of
he act in reference to nationality, and I
las also been mindful in this respect P
)f the expressed wishes of the immi
;ration convention, held in 1903. r
A number of colonies, composed of P
nost desirable material, have already I
>een projected, and a number of oth
rs are now beifig negotLted. In this
!onnection it certainly should be inter
,sting to know that 79,000 acres have
>een officially contracted for at once,
md options have actually been given
Lnd are now held upon more than t
:wice this amount, to be disposed of
>y purchase. This colonization feat
ire is a most important phase of the
ivork, and if It did no more than to
materially increase our white popula
ion, it would be, to us, of untold ben
afit.
The agricultural and commercial in
:erests of the State have by no means
)een neglected, but the commissioner
,as kept in close touch with Clemson
:ollege and is indebted to the college ',
Cor valuable assistance. In addition to
,he colonization and sale of lands, the
)utlook is most encouraging for, bring- n
ng varied industries into the State, i
:hese being attracted by the advertise- N
rnent, through this department, of the
-reat natural advantages of Southm.C
:!arolina. I earnestly recommend .that g1
ou give this department all needed t
mncouragement and assistance. It rests x
mtirely with your body to bring immi-p
gration from other countries into our,-e
State, for by the laws of the Unitedpi
tates this must be done only through w
)fficial State channels, all Individuals i
ind agencies being strictly prohibited.,
rrom engaging in this work. As only i
3. small appropriation was made for
,his department last year, and no in-T
:rease is asked, I desire to bring one
matter to your attention. The commis
,ioner is necessarily required to do
nuch traveling, and, in view of the
act that he is entirely removed from
ill legislation, I recommend that he be
xempted from the provisions of the b
ict prohibiting State officials from i
ising free passes from railroad and r
;vamboat --ompanies.
State Militia. b
Your attention is invited to the re
ports of Adjutant General Frost and I
Mieut. Col. Ezra B. Fuller, of the I
rnited States arrry, which contalni
valuable facts rt'r your consideration ii
eference to the State militia. Upo t
ny request, Col. Fuller was detailed.
)y the war department to report for
lu.y, to act in cooperation with the ad-"'
utant general in promoting the effi
iency of our State troops. The ser
ices of this officer have been most c
aluable, and the military branch of1
)ur government has been materially c
tided by his work.
From these reports is sho*n th
ieeds of the militia, both in referenc .
. appropriations an&L the necessity o
L revision of the military code, to make"
ts provisions conform to the require- di
nents of the act of congress. approved-b4
Fanuary 21, 1903, known as the "Dick e
)ill." This act, which has already done
;o much to advance the interests and 1l
fficiency of the troops of this and other |.
3tates. requires that "the.organization, -M
rmament, and discipline of the organ-, &
zed militia shall be' the same as that:sl
vhich is now, or may hereafter' be,ja
>rescribed for the regular and volun-! o1
:eer armies of the United States." Thefp:
ct further provides that the militia~ ti
ihall. be sufficiently armed, uniformed,t
tnd equipped for active duty in -thea
eld, before they can participate In the~ ti
tnnual appropriations made by the~ p
~eneral government for the support of~ d
be militia,' which annual allotmentib
mounts to nearly $18,000 for the Statef ce
>f South Carolina. This amount was? 0:
ecured this year, although the assist-let
tnt secretary of war reports thm , hadt,
he law been strictly applied, on ac- '4
ount of deficiencies and failures, wei
vould have been deprived of our po
yortion.
It is also shown by these reports,
hat, ii. j.aroportion to population, South'
larolina has a larger force of militia
han any State in the Union, andta
he appropriation from the State for'.
he support of the militia per capita I
s very low. The requirements of the
'Dick law" are such that we are con
ronted with the necessity of either re
lucing the number of companies or of*
ncreasing the appropriation so as to t
neet its demands. This is a matter of
erious import to the State militia, and
feel sure that In considering it you ~
vill act solely with a view to the bs
nterests of the State and of those who'
ave volunteered in its service. -'During ~
he past year encampments were held~
n Columbia. These encampments are~
>f great benefit, and steady improve-i
nents each year attest their value. In~
iew of the storage and supplies ne-i d
essitated by these annual encamp-i
nents,, a State armory is, in my judg-~ c
nent, a necessity.
The report of the adjutant general is
tdetailed and intelligent statement of ,A
he condition and needs of the State t
nilitia, and I am sure that his recomn
nendations for the betterment of the,t
ervice will have your careful consid
ration. t'
Dispensary.
Last year I purposely refrained from'
naking any recommendations in refer- G
nce to the dispensary. My reason forj
his was that I had not then had suffi-~
ient time to familiarize myself wit1
he practical workings of the system.'
1ave since had greater opportum'ty
o std some of the more imnpo. ,nr
~etails regarding the managen
his institution, and for this reas
eg to submit, for your consideratit:
hanges which I am constrained to
hink will be improvements.
To properly regulate and .con: rol the:
ale of liquor has always be ma ques
ion most difficult of solutio'::. Theo
ies upon this subject, whenev'er and: e
rherever tested, always become .i
ult problems when their practical en-:'
L'eement as~ laws, or regulation s, are.IP
tt ,te No gre law hais ever
peainuhs-v tire satisfaction.
outh Carolina is t he first anmd only It
tate that has attempted to solV&thiJ E
roblem under such State cont rol 'i .
included in our present dispensaryi di
w. In spite of the fact that this ltw t
as many strong points which comn- u:
iend it, most notably among them be-i ri
ig, in my opinion, the fact that it has1 a
ecreased drunkenness, it is also true '"
hant, like other laws, it has its imper- .
ations. 1 am convinced that -if tis ti
ystem can be properly regulated, it ;al
ill he one of the best solutions of the tC
quor question. If not properly man
ged and controlled, its usefulnless will,
e at an end. The r.ecomnmendations d:
hie'h I shall make will be submitted
-ith a view solely to improve the :
m. and to place all available lega ri
estraints around the sale and use of '
(uors.
The purpoen of the disenary shoulti '-'
not to increase, but to curtail and 1
1trol the sale of liquor, and this pur- I
se should always be kept in view
a business institution. it should be i
ced as far as possible above cri*,i- (
,m and its restrictive regulations c
ould be rigidly enforced. The man
ement of the dispensary has always
en the subject of more or less criti- a
.m. During the past few months 1
is criticism has been made frequent
and with the greatest freedom. It
necessary that the system should be I
ade as business-like as possible, and I
this important end I shall principal
direct my recommendations.
County Boardm.
[ respectfully recommend that the
,rious county boards of control should
- appointed by the State board of di
ctors-two members of this board
be appointed upon the recommenda
)m of the legislative delegations, the
her member upon the nomination of
e mayor of the county seat. It
ould be the duty of these county
ards' to indorse orders filed with the
ate commissioner by county dis
nsers for such supplies as may be
eded for their respective dispensa
?s, naming brands and amounts re
tired. This board should elect the
rious county dispensers, but these
spensers should be subject to removal
the State board of directors for
use.
State Com nistdoner.
The State commissioner should, in
y judgment, be the officer whose
ity it should be 'to purchase all sup
les for the - dispensary. He should
required to make contracts, not
r any specified amount of liquor,
Lt for such supplies as may be ac
ally required, such requirements to
determined by the commissioner.
Lsed, as far as possible, upon orders I
ceived by him from dispensers, ap
oved by the county boards, and filed"'
ith him 30 days before the adver
;ement for bids by that officer.
Each contract made by the commis
)ner should require the firm con
acted with to guarantee the sale of !
,ch goods as may be ordered, and '
ipped to the State dispensary, said
tarantee to be entered as a part of
e bond. All advertisements for bulk
ods should be placed strictly and ab
lutely upon- a competitive basis, by
.ting it be distinctly understood that I
e lowest responsible bidder shall be
irarded the contract. It should furth
be the duty of the commissioner to
ake, each year, quarterly reports to
e State, board of directors, showing'I
e amounts contracted for the pre
:us quarter, including the brand and
ices, which report the State board
directors shall have published in- at
ist two daily, newspapers of the
ate.
State Board of .Directors. .
The board should be required to meet
ch week at their office in the State
spensary, to remain in session as
ag as may be necessary for the trans
tion' of their business. 'the general
pervision and management of all
unty dispensaries should, be in their
arge and they ishould be' specifically
arged with the duty of'seeing that
restritions gox 2rning the various
ris should be stpictly enforced.
iese e esu. At", and arduous
ities, for which the members of this
ard should recei.:a salary of not
ss than $1,500 per annum each, and
Lould be required to file a bond of
)t. less than $10,000.
I further recommend that the law
; to the location of county dispen
1ries be amended to restrict them to
tch incorporated town-s and cities
;, in the opinion of the county board
control, furnish adequate police.
rotection to the public against dis
irbances- of the peace.
Should these recommendations be
lopted I am constrained to believe
Lat they will accomplish two pur
ases, namely: They,. will place the
spensary upon a more business-like
isis and will also provide the ma
linery by which the legal restrictions
the system will be properly enforc
The reports of the State board of di
ictors will be submitted for your con
deration,. showing the business trans
:teql during the past fiscal year, and
respectfully refer you, for all details,
these reports.
Removal of Dispensares.
At your last session there was en
ated a law giving to counties which
asire prohibition the right by a ma
Irity vote to close their dispensaries.
rid upon the taxable property of all
muntles so voting it was required that
iere be levied an annual tax of 1-2 of
mill, this tax to be expended by the
vernor in enforcing the law, should
ie local authorities fail to do so. Ob
ction has been made to this law on
acount of the tax imposed, it being,
mntended that it is in the nature of
penalty, its effect being to deter the
sople from voting for the removal of
ispensaries.
I do not agree with this view. If
rohibition be substituted for the dis
mnsary law, then prohibition should'
enforced, and when this cannot be
ane through the sentiment of the
sople, expense must certainly be in
2rred. The counties now pay for the
iforcement of each and every law,
aid it is not fair to expect counties
hich maintain the dispensary to take*
ie pr1Mits accruing to the general~
~hool fun I. to defray the expenses of
1e enforcement of the law in a co-mty
hich pays nothing. Besides this, the
LX is by no means excessive; it can
a expended only when necessity re
uires. and then solely in an effort to
ecomplish the purpose for which the.
eople voted. That it will not deter.
.am fr om voting for what they de-,
w certainly demonstrated re-:
-'y in the only election which has
ee Mai under the provisions of the:
. though it is required that the
1e: h--aid annually, it need practi
.! ri. nid onliv once, for if the local
erh ''s do their duty in enforcing~
. mition-whix they- will do when
or th$e people demand it-the money
ill be refuh.Qd to the -:ounty, and the
~dinarn comu: tax can be thus reduc
I by 1-2 of 1 juil. This tax feature
the law the n, e pers to me, in
ead of being r- 'd as a penalty,
'eventing. the ce. om obtaining1
hat t-ey des rather be
wve, as far as possible, just what
ey dodesire.
nreetof the Dispensary Law.
Teenforcement of this law includes
fficulties which should be apparent
all, but which really are not fully
iderstood. It certainly presents a se
rus p)roblem to your chief executive,
problem of eeaseless and never-end
g responsibilities and aniecties. It is
mnecessary to attemput an enumnera
m of the various obstacles which are
ways encountered, and which, owing
their peculiar nature. are not found
the carrying out of other laws.
Where popular sentiment favors the
spensary law, there is, of course.
~ry little work for the constabulary
do. but in other localities exactly
Le reverse of this is true. I feel sure.
>wever, that the efforts. which have
cn made have gradually brought
>ut f do nut hesitate to add that much
,et renmins to be done. In some lo
aliti(s. as is well known, juries refuse
o convict, thus necessarily plating the
ntire burden of enforcement upon the
onstabulary. This complicates and
ncreases the difficulties which are at
eady sufficient in -themselves, and in
uch localities it seems impossible to
tave the law strictly enforced.
Without seeking any explanation of
hese reasons, prejudices and objec
ions, the fact remains that they do
x*st, and, furthermore, they present
he most serious obstacles towar#
egitimately carrying out the spirit of
he law. In considering this problem
believe that the time has come when
ve sho-uld be perfectly frank in dealing
vith it. Nothing can be lost by this.
.nd such a course will in the end lead
o a better understanding. In the first
)lace, I wish to be fully understood.
t is the duty of the governor to en
orce the laws as they appear upon the
tatute books, making them apply alike
o every section. This I have endeavor
d to do, and this I shall continue to
to, so long as the responsibilities of
-our chief executive devolve upon
ne.
With no desire to evade this respon
ibility, I deem it my duty to mention
ne aspect of the dispensary situation
Ls expeiience has revealed it to me.
;ince I have been In office I have done
ny utmost to strictly enforce this law
n Charleston, with the result that I
tave been able to improve conditions
nly by the suppression of flagrant and
pen violations. Mayor Rhett has
,iven official aid, but our combined ef
orts have not apparently accomplished
nore than is above indicated.
There are few in Charleston who fa
ror the dispensary, which, although
t has been in operation for more than
L decade. is strongly opposed, and has
nade but few converts. There are
hose in Charleston *ho favor its en
orcement because it is the law, and
n my efforts to enforce it I have been
Lcorded by them a strong moral sup
>ort, for which I am deeply grateful.
L'he location of the city, with its ex
ensive water front; the inability of
he constables to make seizures before
;hipments are delivered to the con
ignee; the. large number of places
vhere liquor is illegally sold: these and
nany others, make a combination of
lifficulties which it seems impossible to
vercome. Trials by juries have proven
neffectual, and the resources of the
aw. have been appealed to, time and
tgain, but the illegal sale of liquor
ontinues. In giving you Information
,oncerning the condition of the State,
s I am required to do, I have thought
it best to state these facts to you plain
ly. It is my conviction that this is
also a part of my duty, and, though
lor many reasons I would prefer not to
lo so, the situation has been brought
to your attention.
The chief constable calls my atten
tion to the fact that he is much lIin
Jered in the general enforcement of
this law by the existence of. so-called
'social clubs," etc. These clubs pretend
to operate under charters granted by
the secretary of state, but in reality
they are only places for the promis
muous illegal sile of liquor. In grant
ing charters, the secretbry of state
icts in a ministerial capacity, and
ust, therefore, grant a charter for
any expressed purpose. I recommend
hat the laws governing the granting
)f s charters be amended, so that
they sitil not be granted until.. 60
lays' published notice has been given,
nd that the secretary of state be
Oiven authority to refuse such char
ter upon an affidavit by the chief State
:onstable that he has reason to be
ieve that the applicants intend to vio
ate the dispensary law.. Should the
>ficers or employes of any such club
ar organization be convicted of violat
ing this law, I would further recoin
mend that the secretary of state be re
tuired to revoke any such charter
beretofore granted.
Lawiessnessa..
At the last session -of your body I
sent a special message upon the sub
jects of lynchings and lawlessness.
This I conceived to be my duty at the
time, and I regret to addl that subse
muent developments have not changed
my opinion. So important should be
the consideration given to this sub
ject, that I must again bring the mat
Le'r to your attention. Befcre making
any further statement, I shall here
luote from the special message re
'erred to, and renew my former recoin
mendation.
"The governor Is popularly credited
with power to prevent and punish out
rages against the State. In reality he
is practically powerless. When noti
ied, he may sometimes frustrate the
mob by the employment of troops, but
when the crime has been committed,
iis hands are really tied. In the mean
time, the spirit of lawlessness is un
hecked' A band of lawless men may
feel secure in taking the life of a fel
low being on almost any pretext.
This deplorable condition should be
remedied. To compel greater respect
the proper respect-for the majesty of
the law. I recommend the -enactment of
special legislation in reference tolynch
ings, in order that the great responsi
bility of officials directly charged with
the enforcement of the law may be
brought home to them, and that more
effectual measures be takE~n for the
apprehension of persons who take the
law into their own hands."
I am - convinced tha this matter
-hould receive more coi. tion than
was given to it at your lab, .session.
here is nothing so importanti to any
tate as to have its laws properly re
pected, nothing which strikes deeper
at the roots of its civilizatio.1 than
to have these laws disregarded. It is
absolutely necessary that all crimes, of
whatever nature, should be punished
through the legal channels-through
this source alone. The power and ma
jesty of the law should be brought to
bear, as far as possiblE, upon lynching
for any and for all crimes. There is
no alternative.
Lynching for one crime leads to
lynching for other crimes, and thus
lawlessness is substituted for law.
Surely experience leads to this inev
itable.conclusion.
:roops for the protection of prisoners.
While I have been almost forced to do
his, owing to the nature and urgency
>f the requests, I consider this by no
means desirable. The services of the
militia should r -ver be called upon
antil the civil at thorities shall have
exhausted er':ry r.eans in their power
to uphold the law . I am firmly con
inced that. were this5 stand taken.
:alls upon the gos :rnor for the ser
vices of the militia to protect prisoners
would cease entirely.
As I said in my special message
which is here quoted-the governor
s practically powerless where the de.
ais of the enforcement of law are con~
yerned, for the reason that he has no
power to compel an officer to do his
luty. This applies not only in the case
f lynchings, but to other offenses also.
When a lynching occurs, when an
>ff1eer charged with thle sacred duty