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THE NEWBERRY SUN FRIDAY. AUGUST 16. 1946 1218 College Street NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA O. F. ARIMFIELD Editor and Publisher Published Every Friday in the Year Entered as second-class matter December 6, 1937, at the postoffice at Newberry, South Carolina, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. State Claims Surplus; Owes $47 Millions BY SPECTATOR When our Legislature meets each year what are the issues> More appropriations, more pay, more pensions, with some discussion of divorce and much discussion of liquor. There are some other matters deserving of attention, which I have not heard in this race. What about the public debt of South Carolina? Does the State owe any money? There is an impression that the state's only problem is to get rid of the surplus. One clear-thinking friend of mine, with an audi tor's eye for figures, asks pertinently; "How can the state claim a surplus of twelve million dollars, while it owes forty-seven million dol lars? We owe $47,000,000 of highway debt. Although the revenue for highway purposes may be fourteen million or $15,000,000 a year, we are compelled to spend millions on re pairs, new bridges and new roads. We have the value—yes, but the debt has to be paid. A land bought with a mortgage is value, but the debt has to be paid. This is not a criticism of the Highway De partment. Our magnificent roads and bridges are good value for what has been spent. I am discussing the matter of a sound policy for the State. t In order to re-assure any who may question my motive let me say that the Highway De partment has not only served the S.ate well in matters of construction, but it has paid from its revenue about forty million dollars of bonds issued by counties and assumed by the State. The Legislature authorized $65,000,000 of State bonds and assumed $40,000,000 of county bonds. The Commission and the De partment have done even better than the aver age citizen knows, but the question that should be answered today is: Shall we prohibit all new highway bond issues and devote half the revenue to the payment of bonded debt? Of course the money can be husbanded until the time of maturity. J i The Highway bonds are a lien on your property; it would not be a consolation to you to have a fine boulevard in front of the home you lost. We hope for a long period of prosperity, but only foolish people spend their money in time cf plenty and have nothing left for the rainy day. If you think I’m just seeing ghosts let me shock you by telling that the State closed with an operating deficit on June 30th of this year. The State had eleven or twelve mllions of sur plus, and just couldn't hold it. Some good was done; 1 wish to be fair; the money wasn’t squandered; it was used for the public, but the man who spent all his savings did the same thing, for the extra car for the wife, the station wagon for the children, and the house on the beach—all may prove his love and devo tion, though not sound business judgment. One major problem is to have a financial policy. I’ve often wondered why a State might not profitably determine the per centage of *ts revenue for each service, leaving ten per cent, or five per cent, for unforseen necessi ties. not mere improvisations. I do not argue for anything but the principle. Suppose we conclude that the State should contribute fifty per cent of its income for Education, or sixty oer cent, or seventy-five per cent. The rise and fail of the State’s revenue would automatically determine the amount to be appropriated. This would avoid the annual pressure which vir tually obstructs everything else, and becomes a test of who can claim the most. There is the matter of the Constitution. The general trend is to do as we please, without regard for the Constitution. Some of this may be due to ignorance, but I can’t believe that our lawyers are ignorant of die basic law. But nothing is clearer than some Constitutional in hibitions. The Constitution says clearly that no one shall hold two offices, of honor or pro fit at the same time (Art. 2, Section 2.) And it further says that “No person shall hold a seat in the General Assemfbly while he holds any office or position of profit or trust under this State, the United States, or any of them”; and even indicates that this shall not apply to officers of the militia or Notaries Public. Our Courts do not impress us favorably by taking >i>on .. i i , — i .. - perfectly clear and obvious intentions of the basic law and interpreting them as not apply ing, when a citizen raises the issue. The Con stitution is the citizen’s bulwark, his shield and buckler, his high tower; and the Courts must be ready to hear the citizen, and be always alert to protect him in his Constitutional rights, as well as to protect the State. Our Courts should owe nothing to anybody except to thl whole citizenship; all judges should be chos en for life. Supreme Court justices might be chosen from the Circuit bench. The holding of two offices or positions is not the only clear violation of the Constitution which has become a practice; the bob-tailed bill; the new matter in the free-conference re port—these are even worse than the two of fices. Do you know what a bob-tailed bill is? The Constitution requires that each measure, or bill, introduced shall treat of only one subject—and that to be mentioned in the title; and that each bill be read on three separate days in each House. A bob-tailed bill is this: A bill hav ing passed two readings in the House or Sen ate, suddenly finds totally different matter add ed to it, thus ^slipping by the citizens of the State and even most of the legislators thenr- selves. It is a devious device in flagrant viola, tion of the language and the spirit of the Con stitution. Is it a small matter? More than once an adroit plan was slipped through our Legislature by that means. Is it clear to you about the free-conference Committee? When the Senate and House pass measures about the same matter, but differ ing somewhat, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, each appoints three members to sit as a free conference Commit*' j. The purpose is to adjust differences in the re spective bills. But a custom is growing by which the Committee writes a bill with new features, even creating jobs and favors. This, in turn, violates the Constitution, for no such bill has been on the desk of each member on three separate days. We are growing weary of all restraints. Like Hitler and Mussolini we want it our way and we want it now. All this is based on a conceit that the Committee knows better than the two Houses what to do. Also we throw the Con stitution overboard so often that when a vital interest is affected we may find that it, too, has lost the Constitutional importance and be left stranded amid the wreckage of a once free government of liberty-loving men. Sometimes we read of legislative programs of other States and adopt what we like, even though the Constitution stands in the way. Because it seemed desirable to provide retire ment for the judges we couldn’t wait to amend the constitution, but rushed in. The Constitution is the fundamental law to protect the citizen and to curb the emotionalism of the moment, which sweeps legislators off their feet. But all the matters suggested still leave us where we were, for even the most efficient ed- ministration of what we have is not enough for this fircely competitive day. The States are competing every day for something which will bring in a larger income to the individual citizen. We can't lift up the citizen by taxation; we must open the avenues so that he may get work in productive enter prises. The great problem of South Carolina is to offer inducements beyond those of com peting States. This is not hopeless. See what we have: raw products, roads, climate, soil, geographical situation—all that, yes; but above all, we have good people, steady American stock. We have good relations between man agement and the workers—and let it bf our policy to cultivate neighborly feeling among all our people. The question is: What can we do? Per haps I'll talk of that later. The Governor of New York, in a recent speech, was happy over the five hundred mil lion dollar surplus, but he was prouder that New York had reduced the income tax fifty per cent and the corporation franchise tax by twenty-five per cent—a savings to the taxpay ers of $122,000,000. The Governor of New York said very signi ficantly: “How could the State . . . provide employment and opportunity for its fourteen million people? ... It was necessary to deal decisively with discriminatory taxes which tended to drive busi ness out of the State. It was necessary to create a healthy atmosphere . . . which would tend to encourage the expansion of existing business here and the creation of new business and jobs.’’ Said the Governor, again: "There was in in creasing clamor over the four years (of war) to spend the State's surplus on frivolous or politi cal ventures, rather than save it so it could be effectively used.” New York, great, rich. New York avoided that due in some measure to her governor. Can we not see that a Governor may, indeed, be a great leader by force of character and un derstanding, as well as by the exercise of real power? Has Model Kitchen For Some Veteran * The R. M. Lominack Hardware was notified today that the> had been awarded one of the thousand G. I. kl*chens for sale to a G. I. home now under construction. The Edison General Electric Ap pliance company has awarded nine of these kitchens for the entire state of South Carolina. The kit chen is now under construction in the home of George S. Wise on Hunt street and will be open for in spection about October 15 to the public. Mr. E. H. Livingston is the general contractor and said today that this was the beginning of such type kitchens that he expects to build in the future. A further an nouncement of the opening to the public will be made at a later date. Officials of Graybare Electric company here have announced that nine complete all-electric kitchens will be available in South Caro lina for war veterans housing this summer under a G. I. special allo cation program. While an initial voluntary alloca tion of approximately 1,000 en sembles is being shipped for vet erans’ housing across the nation, L. E. Murtiashaw, merchandise mana ger for the wholesaler said that the first shipments by Edison Electric (Hotpoint) Applicance company were aimed at “breaking the stale mate that has surrounded delivery of electric appliancs to new war veteran housing.” He pointed out that the kitchen packages installed locally, includ ing an electric stove, refrigerator, metal cabinet sink, and five wall- and-base-cabinets, would permit veterans’ brides and others to see the widely heralded “post war kitchens in price classes ranging below $500.” The houses installing the limited output to be shipped immediately, will be on display for 30-days or more, he said. Mr. Murtiashaw said that build ers in this area would install the kitchens in homes now under con struction. Because service and re pair facilities are essential to elec tric appliance maintenance, the en sembles will be delivered through d ealers regularly representing the Hotpoint line. Noting that numerous interrup tions slowed appliance production during 1946, the official said that improving industrial conditions made a bright outlook for further allocations to veteran housing, as well as better supplies in favorite appliance stores for others who are waiting for long expected kit chen and home laundry equipment. Notice of Election School Trustees Notice is hereby given that an election has been called in Little Mountain School district No. 30, to be held at Dr. Sease’s Drug Store between the hours of 8:00 A. M. and 4:00 P. M. Saturday, August 17, for the purpose of electing three (3) trustees for said school district. The Newberry County Board of Education hereby appoints as managers, G. H. Shealy, W. M. Sloan , and R. O. Shealy. Newberry County Board Of Education Aug 8-15 RADIO AND TELEVISION SALES - SERVICE We Specialize in— PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS AND SOUND EQUIPMENT Sale of for Rental INTER-OFFICE COMMUNI CATION SYSTEMS Geo. N. Martin 1303 Friend St. Phone 74-J Directly Opposite Poet Office AQUELLA NO »NO« mAB* vt* To The Merchants We are ready this week fo sup ply you with the following good items . . . Cheese . . . Canned Tomatoes . . . Fruit Juices . . . Candies . . . Cigars and Cigar ettes . . . Syrup . . . Ice Cream Cories . . . Gillette Blades . . . Flour . . . Hen Scratch Feed . . . Hog Feed . . . Fruit Jars . . . Cocoanut . . . Canned Peaches and Sweet Potatoes . . . etc. Come to see us . . . Prices are right . . . Warehouse located at lower Main Street. t R. Derrill Smith & Son, Inc. WHOLESALE GROCERS Newberry, S. C. Pope. Will Try For Speakership Rep. Thomas H. Pope has an nounced that he would be a candL date for speaker of the house on' the opening of the 87th general assembly next January 14. Pope a leader in the house before the war and again at the assembly’s 1946 session to which he was elect ed for an unexpired term after his discharge from the Army, declined to expand his announcement. He is a Citadel graduate, reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina law school. His renomination to the house in Tuesday’s primary was assured as he is unopposed. Rep. Charles Plowden of Claren don county announced yesterday that if renominated Tuesday, he would be a candidate for speakership now held by Rep. Blatt of Barnwell. Blatt, also opposed, has yet say whether he will reoffer for the speakership if he is renominated to the house. Former Rep. Roger W. Scott of Dillon county, seeking nomination to the house and also to the gover norship has indicated in informal statements to the press that he also might be a candidate for the speak ership if elected to the house. the Sol to Lester-Shealy Miss Ruby Nell Lester and Mr. Ralph Clayton Shealy were married on August 3, 1946 at the residence of the officiating minister, the Rev. Julian B. Harman, D. D., 1004 Boundary street, Newberry, S. C., in the presence of several relatives and friends. The Ring ceremony was used. Mrs. Shealy is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Lester, Sr., 1203 Second street, Newberry. She was beautifully attired in a white Jersette dress with accesso ries to match. Her corsage was of pink astors. Mr. Shealy is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Olin Shealy of 1813 Rivers Street, Newberry. He has been in the Army three and a half years, 21 months of which were spent in the European Area. * After their wedding trip their residence will be at 1203 Second Street, Newbrry. ydureA^t gambling ON QUALITY. WHEN YOU TRY ONE OF OUH BARBECUES GLYMPH’S Sandwich Shoppe 205 CALDWELL STREET ~v R - U AWARE? O.lFA’PlSDWP HAVE. A LAYER OF FAT OR BLUBBER UNDER TVitiR SKIN THAT KEEPS THEM WARM tN WINTER. '> ■■ t.- # uwivcoaAL cc. Right now we’re not worrying about keeping warm . . . Mother Nature is taking care of that . . but if you’re worried about the right gift for your best friend; you can stop worrying about diat, too! You’ll find a grand selection of gift merchandise at the W. E. TURNER, JEWELER. K ' OENUIME REGISTERED eepsake SOLITAIRE DUET LOTUS Set Engagement Ring $69.95 50.00 W.E Turner JEWELER GET A TASTE OF FOOD for Thought A hearty appetite is our delight when you stop at MIT CHELL’S modern up-to-the-minute, SANDWISH SHOP. You’ll enjoy our good food . . . you’ll marvel at our gen erous portions . . . you’ll be amazed at our reasonable prices . . . and above all, you’ll love our quick, thorough service! You can always dine in comfort when you make your choice MITCHELL’S SANDWICH SHOP. Mitchell’s Sandwich Shop Open at 6 A. M. Close at 10:30 P. M. Located at 1209 Friend Street . HENRY WALTER WERTZ who has returned from the service of his country % Is Now Back With Us and welcomes his friends and form er customer to call upon him for any services. 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