Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Division of Clemson College, ouaeeoUos with the consolidated s^hi^bj tB DarHngton. The teaching ?# ajtioultore In those schools Is prac? tise woU as sclentllc. It is the that will enable our boys to a profitable living on the farm, them In farm work and ru? fe! fee, and makes ths calling of ag seoiuejare attractive in profits that will1 esmbee farmers to secure the comforts and Knurled m rural 11 life that will favorably with incomes and In erhaa Hfs. In order to e*ah* this worh poedble. ths question es? soevssndatlon of schools will be and, In my judgment, no {expenditure of public money for . ?otejsjtluasj purpoeei can be made ?o Jfeeoftde salaries for trained ti In agriculture In ?egal Schoost. It must bo remembsr that If training for future life Is .??he ifttftn tie a large number of our fSJtml population. It must be given In tfta esensaon schools. In my , Judg nsan4> Use Importance of this subject -nnii not he overstated or ?xaggsratei, I sera set ly commend It to your Boll Weevil. ? i ? The feeogolng on agricultural edu cattoa In the common schools Is sm pJsassosd by the rapid approach of the butt weevil. No way of cheeking or <dje?troytag tide pent has been discover? ed. , The boll weevil Is the destroyer of cow chief msney crop. It Is npw wtthin 141 miles of the sleuth Caro? lina Mae, Hi appseranee In our field* *a a short time seems to be beyond ee set loa. When the boll weevil reach '. jln si. It wUi prod see tnanolal and ag ffesdtural disaster, unless we prepare fteV H by divereineaUon of crops, by ngepai seed selection of early varieties, hy enintng food crops, by raising cattle add snock. To change a surge-part Of sW acreage from cotton to other crops frill require education In farming * eihssh will give better methods than sW obtain. Ths boll weevil will be no shortly; we must prepare for >The disaster which will accora fhe boll weevil's advent among i wt&l apply to farmers first, but also all Bilsen and conditions of our dpi*, far agriculture Is. and win he (hoot our rrfe-tline, ths founda 'atone of our material wealth and Mr. ? " ^??da?rre IssVeW which sWee of agricul thdd gives ad* V tfsvtte your attention to ths con Of the State Warehouse Sys The Inauguration of this system a radlca departure In sjssstgnisnu It hag given 991 e^w?^^^w?B?'^*w^sjr^fe By the warehousing of ag rtouhurel pcadwots and providing a peas* shsiehy they mar he gradually nmifcssia, st glass to protect the owner et t)tooo producta agariet conditions him of legitimate pro sndangtr the con tin u agrtcultursl put suit on a basis gives adequate rstirne for labor, esse makes agrtcurtuml rural life prosrtable and attractive. It le an at tempt on the part of th*? State to help the ettiesn to help i^neslf. This Is In aC'svd with justice and humanity, and oh 'Ctertetlc of the prt gresidve spirit of v < saw. It to. .writable, however, that a sys that alms at revolutionising ths of our great money crop, net he perfected in lie Initial Operation of this system has dssnoii st rated that it csn bo of great and] valuable service. It should be our aim to perfect ths ays'.em. to oper? ate tt oa sound business principles, to protect tt ?nllnet possible abuses, and to throw around It every possible safegeard. slake the State warehouse rsnstpt a collateral that will be recog? nised ae safe, so that It irlll be sought after ae collateral to loans in any of the money centers and money markets of this country. The liability of ths state should be . clearly defined. It Is not necessary for see to suggest specific amendments to the act. It Is well to )*ar in mind that our chief source of borrowed money to to bo had through the Fed? eral Reserve bank. The requirements of that Institution should be mat, both boos use they ar< sound and reaonable, aad because ' sees requirements and these safeguards will ths sooner st? atten tlon In money markets, to receipts as collateral, end thus will be sought after by Investors. This will eventually load to ths lowest ob? tainable rates of Interest. I refer you to the question of ownership snd man? agement?4he manager of the ware? house Issuing nsgotlable receipts should be a disinterested party and not ths owner of ths cotton stored on which It to proposed to Issue ne? gotiable receipts. Accurate and re? liable grading and weigh!n? by licens? ed graders and weighers to of great importance. It may be that these matters might best be regulated by rules snd regulations of the Commis? sioner snd the Board of Commission? ers, to which I will refer later, or by legislative enactment. I regard It as essential that this system shall not be dependent upon the personality of any one man. The uncertainty of life and the certainty of death make thl? all th* mnre Important. The not should be amended so as to provide for up potntment by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, of a Board of three Commis? sioners, with the State Commissioner as ex officio chairman, whose terms should be for six years, except the first appointees, whose terms should be lor two, four and six. years, re? spectively, so that a majority of the board could not be displaced during any particular administration, except for neglect of duty, or malfeasance in proval of the board, should be author ' office. The commissioner, with tho ap {lied to make sales; but no sale should he permitted by htm or them, Indi? vidually or ae agent, without the grading and weighing by licensed graders and weighers. It is generally believed that there has been, and continues to be, serious loss to the producers from inaccurate and undergrading. It may be advis? able for the Bute to adopt the stand? ard grading of the United States gov? ernment The State commissioner has succeed? ed in securing low rates of insurance, which la an Important Item In the charges of storing and carrying cot? ton; end he ehould be given full cred? it for the activity and effective work he has done to secure this reduction, thereby m?kln? the warehousing of cotton lean expensive and more profi? table. About 19,000 hales of cotton ere new stored lu State warehouses. The commissioner hag net been oblig? ed to use alt of the appropriation made by the last legislature; and with the increasing amount of cotton stored, It may be that this depart? ment can be operated on a yearly decreasing amount of money. I re? fer you to the report of the commis? sioner for further Information on this subject. I have tone over this entire matter with the State commissioner, and he, from hie experience and ob? servation, Is entirely In accord with these recommendations. Uniform Warehouse Receplts. ? ' ?? ' ? ? Uniformity In State legislation gov? erning commercial and financial trans? actions. Is desirable and important. This Is true of laws governing storage. The South? rn States ehould have uni? form laws on warehousing of agri? cultural products; and an Important Step towards this would be taken by the adoption of the Uniform Ware? house Receipt Act, and I urge upon you Its adoption. I again advise that you enact a land registration law baaed on what is . oommonly known as the Torrens sys |*enw r?w ie-av egtteiamry j*resexiuls<?e to a system of rural credits. A laitfd registration act will simplify the mat? ter of land titles, reduce the expense Of examination of same and furnish a simple and Inexpensive plan that win cheapen the cost of borrowing money on real estate, thus making more practicable, at small expense, the usB of land ae collateral for loan a I A Terrene system deed, gives the owner the secure feeling that the State warrants bis title and thus puts an and forever to any doubt or fear of litigation. |? The time haa arrived for definite ! action on this matter, and I strongly urge upon you the necessity for Its en? actment at this session. Rural Credit?. Forty-three per cent of our white farmers are tenants. If we are to build up our rural /districts. Increase the production of the soil, maks easy the Improvement of our rural schools, churches, roads, and all rural com? munity life, we must have a greater proportion of our people as owners of their homes and farms. No one fac? tor can contribute to this accomplish? ment and this blessing more than a practicable, workable system of rural ] credits, ro that homes and-farms can be bought on long-time payments and at low rates of Interest. This would furnish our white tenants the plan by whleh the money which Is now paid aa rent for farms could be applied to payments on farms bought.1 Every Improvement, every acre whose pro? duction is Increased, would be for the benefit of the purchaser. After some years of effort and Industry, the an? nual payments, little more than the rent they now pay, would give them a fee simple, unencumbered title to their home and farm. V ?s> I I have prepared a plan to provide for long-time mortgage loans, repay? ment of which Is provided for on the amortisation p an; buf^nasmuch as a measure of this kind has been Intro? duced in congross, with the strong probability of Its adoption, It may be unnecessary for the State, at this time, to act on this question until the experiment has been tried out by the Federal government. But ae a statement has been pub Ushed by the comptroller of the cur? rency, allesing that excessive rates of Interest have been charged by certain banks, and in view, further, of the widely advertised statements alleging exorbitant rates of Interest being charged for advances to farmers, I deem It of great Importance that the j .State should provide a plan for short term credits for farmers, under which money can be borrowed by, . i i- Mim, ? ?? m ? j ?'? '?? ? p ." ? farmers at low rates of Interest, I 1 have drafted a plan by which5 this pur 'pose can be accomplished, and .this plan will, I hope, receive that atten? tion which will perfect It so mJjI? 'make H available for our farmers, t shall submit this plan to you in a la? ter message. This matter I deem of great Import? ance, for if the statements thai; have been made as to these exorbitant rates of Interest charged to farmers ars true, then one cause for ths fail? ure of unprofitable farming will have been discovered, and It Is our duty to endeavor to remove the cause o f this complaint It Is manifest that po bus? iness* can aucceed that has to be oper? ated under such'adverse conditions. Good Reede. It is apparent to every observer tlpu the roads In South Carolina are better new than'they were a few years ago. It Is apparent however, to every ob? server that we have not yet arrived et that point when a system of building and maintaining our public highways has been satisfactory in results and j economical in operation. The f?.ct la many thousands of dollars sie annual- j ly wasted in Ill-judged construction, and almost negligible maintenance. When we consider the importance of cheap transportation In our rural dis? tricts and that transportation is an expensive item in our lives, it Is time for us to bend attention seriously to the matter of road Improvement. The time has come, when we should act and not deal In generalities on this subject. We all admit the necessity for good roads, and the economic, ques? tion Involved In them. A number of plans have been sug? gested to bring about a system of roadways throughout the length and breadth of the State, with construction that will be permanent and the coiit of malnteance light, and I commend this aubject to your earnest consideration. We unquestionably need these ? hlgh ' waya They must be constructed If we are to keep pace with the progress of our sister States. I direct your attention to the plan offered by Mr. Bold Whltford, of Charleston, as a basis of a plan for your consideration. It may be vhat a Slate registration tax on motor ve? hicles?our Supreme Court In a recent decision has declared that this can be done constitutionally?can be so de? vised as to accomplish this grtat ob? ject, and I commbnd ?t to your consid? eration. Board of Conciliation. Labor conditions in the State, par? ticularly In qreenville and An'derebtt counties, hate been acute during the past year. The situation thsre shows that we should provide some legal ma? chinery to Investigate strikes, and mediate between employers and em? ployee* j I recommend the creation of a hoard of conciliation, which will have 'power to investigate, strikes and to 'mediate In their settlement; In con ] nectlon therewith, to have power to summon and examine witnesses, to 'compel them to testify, to require the ' production of books of record and pa? pers, if necessary, but above all, to 'have as Its duty the settlement of In? dustrial disputes; and to make a re? port of their, work to the governor, and through him to the general assembly, i I deem It Important that this board be removed as far as possible from partisanship and from political In? fluence; apd I suggest that such a board should consist of three members, to be appointed annually for a term of one year, one to be appointed by the Supreme Court, one by the govern? or and one by the commissioner of agriculture, commerce and industries; that these members should be paid a per diem for the time employed. In the Interest of Justice and harmony I urge the creation of this board. State Federation of Labor. The State Federation of Labor de? sires the enactment of a law creating a bureau of labor. I approve of pro? gressive legislation In behalf of labor, and with the operation of a board of conciliation during 1916, and the en? forcement of the laws which we now have on our statute books protecting labor, we should be In position by the next session of the legislature to rem? edy such defects In the laws as have been discovered, and to pass new and effective legislation to work out the proper protection and destinies of our working people. I Workers. 1 I wish to call your particular atten? tion to the necessity for some legisla? tion in behalf of workers, especially women, in large industries, and also women employed In other lines of work. Women are sometimes cruel? ly oppressed, and have to work for a greater number of hours than flesh and blood can stand. Sometimes they are required to work as many as six? teen hours or more, without oppor? tunity for rest, and with scant time | for meals; and with their work places at times in an unsanitary condition. These questions are of vital import to the future of our race, and we must vitalise and put Into active pf-1 feel the laws now on our statute ? book*, which apply to these condi? tions. If ihe present laws are insuffi? cient, they should be so amended as to give the power and means to pro? vide for their enforcement, . so that these conditions may be improved without delay. Workmen's Compensation Act. Damage suits for injuries received by employees fill our courts. An in? vestigation of these cases reveals many miscarriages of justice?. Often a I wrong la dons by paying damages which, are not deserved; often delays in trials?delays on account of appeals ?work a hardship and expense to both sides to the dispute. It seems I to me in keeping with the spirit of progress and in simple justice, that {uncertainty and delay should be avoided and a plan adopted by which regular and certain payments for in? juries should be mads by employer to employee. The machinery for ad? justing a settlement of such cases should be provided, and I recommend the adoption of a Workmen's Com? pensation, Act providing for the pay [msnt for Injuries received by an em? ployes on such a basis that the pay? ment should be certain and prompt, |ahd at the same time, Just and fair to both employer and employee. National Guard. The National Guard of South Caro? lina, by reason of ths high standard of its personnel, their patriotism and loyalty to duty, deserves the highest commendation and support of the en? tire dtiienshlp of the State. I will communicate with you later I In a special j message on this subject, [in the meantime, I refer you to the report of the adjutant general. Confederate Veterans. South Carolina has always been proud of ths splendid service and patriotism of her Confederate soldiers. The assistance that she has given to these veterans has not been in propor? tion to her loyalty and devotion to them. The appropriations ! ave ? in? creased, but this increase la not in proportion to their needs. Their rapidly thinning ranks reminds us of Increased attention that fs necessary to them. It is gratifying to note the better care, and increased comforts given to those in the Confederate In? firmary*. I commend to your atten? tion, their needs, and urge that liber? al appropriations be made for them. State Beard of Chartties end Correc? tions. I. desire to commend your creation of this board,-and ask your considera? tion, in detail, of their report, which will reveal the character of ^their work. Its value will be more appar? ent as time goes on. Their work leads the way to ths Improvement of those aAlcted, and will lead to more hu? mane and proper methods in dealing with the problems that come under their supervision. I urge' the Continuance of the ap? propriation necessary tor this work; and am satisfied that their accomplish? ments in these few months justify the creation of this board. The work Is necessary for the better and enlight? ened treatment of criminals and un? fortunates. ' Penitentiary. The penitentiary, under the wise guidance of the superintendent and board of directors, exhibits a wonder? ful record in financial success, and shows Improvement in the treatment of prisoners. The spirit of progress and of greater humaneness In the treatment of prisoners Is a subject which cannot be neglected, and which must appeal to our human nature and sympathy. South Carolina Industrial School. This institution, at Florence, has outgrown the expectations of its early advocates. Comfortable accommoda? tions Is provided there for about one '{hundred and fifty white boys. That institution IS endeavoring to take cars of two hundred and fifty. This means overcrowded buildings. Its needs are apparent, and I commend its report to your careful thought and consideration. Board of Fisheries. The work of this board, during the year, has been hampered by limita? tions placed upon them by legislative enactment. I call your attention to their report, and the suggested changes which will enable this com? mission to carry out Its mission and make the fish and oyster Industry m South Carolina a great and growing one. Stole Boar , of Health. The work of the State Board of Health deserves high commendation, and I suggest a careful consideration of their report by the general assem? bly. Their budget for the coming year does not ask for an Increased appro? priation, except for an appropriation of $4,687.60 for community work. If this extra appropriation is granted, the International Health Commission will contribute un equal amount; and with this money the State Board of Health will be enabled to Initiate work and supply health officers to lead our people to take euch precautions that will prevent the spread of typhoid fever, hook worm, tuberculosis, and ether diseases which now afflict the State r.nd produce such a high percen? tage of death rates. The death rate in South Carolina from typhoid fever Is 316 to the 100, 000. Some cities In this country have reduced the death rate to 20 to the 100,000 as a result' of these precau? tionary measures. I approve, there- j tore, of the appropriation for this worg, and believe that its benefit will be great in the rural districts, in our towns and cities, and especially In Im? proving the health conditions in our mill villages. Cattle Tick Eradication. Another Important question to be cosidered in preparing to cope with the situation that will confront us when the boll weevil comes, will be the j raising of cattle. The money that is new being spent on cattle tick eradi? cation la a wise investment, and is proving effective* This, matter has been so clearly set forth at a previous time that I feel it is only necessary to say that I j earnestly urge that you make the ap? propriation of $30,0oo requested for thle purpose, so that the effective work which Is being done' In clearing our territory of this hindrance to cat? tle raising, can be pushed aggressive? ly and carried on to completion. The Lever Act. a The work that la being done In the agricultural extension department of Clemson College, under the Lever Act, is so valuable that it must be mani? fest to all. i urge the necessary ap? propriation by the State, that we may continue this work and obtain the In? creased amount of money that will come to us from the Federal appro? priation under the terms of the Lever Act. Comptroller General. I desire to bring to your attrition the report of the comptroller general. An examination of his report will show that for the year 1916 the revenues of tho State, from all sources, exceeded the expenditures by about $62/000. This, of course, is conditioned on the collection of taxes yet due to the State. I regard the work Of the tax com? mission, and Its report, of great im? portance, and shall . deal with this question of assessment, taxation and the income tax in a special message, which I will transmit to you at A later date. Sinking Fund Commission. For your Information, I submit herewith statement of funds handled by the Sinking Fund Commission: Assets of the Cumulative Sinking Fund for reduction and payment S. C. Brown 4 1-2 per cent. Bonds and Stocks) on hand Decem? ber 31, 1916.$279,487.74 Assets of the Insurance. Sinking Fund for insurance ? of public property on hand . December ti, iris. .. . .148,121.79 (ferried In the Ordinary Sinking Fund; Account a* Hand December 81, 1915 Assets of the Ordinary Sink? ing Fund, proper..$96,346.10 Fuhds arising from escheated estates (for schools). . 1,928.18 Bond and mortgage of C. At? kinson and G. A. Qulgnard, for deferred payment on purchase of real estate of late State dispensary; charge' Interest from March 1, 1916, belongs to school fund.. ..i.100,000.00 $198,573.28 State Bowse Grounds. . Acting under the provision of the act of the legislature, I appointed a commission ort State House and Grounds, consisting of Messrs. Doug? las McKay, John Irwin and T. H. Dlok. These gentlemen have given painstaking care to the work commit? ted to them. The improvement In the appearance of these grounds justify the appointment of this commission. Their efforts, which is a labor of love, result In a beauty and attractiveness that is pleasing and gratifying to all. State (Hospital for ehe Insane. I will transmit to you, at a later time, a special message In reference to the State Hospital for the Insane. I will merely state now that the re? organization of this institution and changes in the buildings, and in the treatment of the patients, as provided for in those acts which you wisely en? acted at the last session of the legis? lature, are being effected in a most satisfactory manner; and I will a?k that your honorable body visit that In? stitution with me on the first after? noon that you will designate. I foel that a visit there can better show you how your recommendations are being carried out than anything that 1 can describe in writing. Lobbying. Public hearings are very properly accorded to those Interested, who may have. Important matters to present for the consideration of your commit? tee*, and no doubt much valuable In? formation Is gained In this way. There is another side to this matter, however, and It is to this other aide to which I desire to direct your atten? tion. I refer to what is generally known as "lobbying." Efforts to exert undue influence in the shaping of legislation for the people of South Carolina, should be met with condemnation in no uncer? tain terms. You have been elected as the repre? sentatives of the people of South Car? olina because of their confidence In your honesty and ability to care for and protect the interests and welfare of all the people, and It is to these people who have, by their ballots, ex? pressed this confidence in you, that you must answer for your acts white here, and not to the hirelings of those who would have yen legislate special privileges for the few at the expense of the many. This practice of lobbying, either In person or through literature sent by mail to the different members, is an Insult to your intelligence and ability to think for yourselves on questions affecting the welfare and interests Of the large body of people you repre? sent, and with whose needs you are conversant. I' apprehend you will not be In? fluenced by such action, but feel It n.y duty to call same to your attention at this time merely as a warning. The work of the professional lob? byist consumes your time, Is a nuis? ance and an Indirect attempt to si? lence the voice of the people who are pleading for action that will result In the greatest good for the greatest number. Gentlemen, give heed to the voice of the people. . . Special Legal Advice. ' At the last session of the legisla? ture you generously appropriated two thousahd dollars for special legal ad? vice to the governor: This action on your pert was warmly appreciated by me, though It was done without my request I desire to express to ybe ' my thanks for your* action, and my appreciation of the motives which prompted you to make this appro? priation. I desire, however, to state that not one dollar of this Appropria? tion has been used, and that the entire amount, two . thousand c ollars, has been turned back into the State treas? ury. Economy. The financial needs of the various State Institutions, as well as govern? ment departments, will be presented for your consideration In connection with their annual reports. While these needs are great \x\A some Imperative, [yet we must bear In mind the fact that oar population being largely a farming people, our material pros? perity must depend upon the success Of the tillers of the soil. Let us re? member that we have recently pass? ed through some trying times, which have materially affected the finances, not Only of the farmers of our State, but also every, other trade and profes . ?w ?'. '. ? ? ; >. X '? V-J . ? " . sion. ? -,' > . v - The 'present financial condition of our people, and the burden of taxes unequally distributed by reason of the flagrant discrimination and' inequality in assessments that has been in exist lence over a long period Of years, makes it of paramount importance that all appropriations be closely scrutinized and every Item carefully and thoroughly investigated before being finally passed upon. It Is not my idea that the several in? stitutions and State departments bs crippled or hampered In the progres? sive work they are doing, but In Con? sidering then* needs let us consider also the source of revenue from which these needs must be met?the pocket book of the taxpayer. The people de? mand that their tax levy be held down to a minimum, and I most earnestly urge that you.heed this call. Until as? sessments and taxes shall bo made more equal and just, I shall oppose new and expensive undertakings. ' The State must progress, 'but It must be economical; progress. ?. .. ? Conclusion, . In conclusion, I invoke the blessing of-God upon your labors, and pray that wisdom and understanding may be vouchsafed you to meet and deal with the grave responsibilities rest? ing upon you. Very respectfully, RICHARD L MANNING, Governor. A license to marry has been Issued to A. C. Brown, Lane, and Miss C. Estelle McCullough, Bryan, S. C. li? censes to colored couples are. San? ders Cain, Shlloh, and Katie E. Man one, Sumter; Jos. McMillan, Wilming? ton, N. C, and Zenobia Yates, Sumter; Frank DuBose. Oswego, and Estclla Rodga's. Sumter; Silas Burgees. Wedgo.leld, and Virginia Keith, Staf burg; Wesley ttooefflawn, JrH and Min? nie McElveen, Sumter.