The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-05


General Assembly of South Carolina.
Your a5t obedie95tt servant,
JOSEPH 3. DOE,
Acting Secretary OF War.
The draft of the act proposed to be
passed is in the executive cham ser,
and will be banded to whatever COM
mittee it may be referred.
CAUSE OF LYNCH LAW.
The laws delay has been theme for
the animadversion and anathemas of men
from time immemorial, and It appears to
me that we have iu South Carolina the
best system of laws and rules of court
to enable men to shirk the gallows that
can possibly exist anywhere. Our criml-
nal code and the rules under which it is
administered appear to have been con-
trived for the sole purpose of showing
how not to hang man. The consequence
is, the people have lost all patience and
almost all faith in the adminlstrati of
| justice. This lamentable and disgraceful
condition is the direct and almost sole
cause for the prevalence of lynch law in
our midst. I have discussed this matter
at some length in previous messages, and
will do no more now than sllude to it
again for the purpose Of urging such
changes as will insure speedy trial for
outrageous crimes. I will not 60 into de-
tails CT make any special suggestions, but
do beg with all earnestness that legisla-
tion be had looking to this great and neces-
sary reform.
CEICKAMAUGA COMMISSION.
Under authority and by instructions
of joint resolution passed at
the last session of the Legislature
a. commission, at the head of which
was Adjutant and Inspector General Far
ley, was appointed to visit the battle field
| of Chickamauga and assist the United
States officers to locate the positions oc.
| cupied by South Carolina troops in that
famous struggle. The work was perform
ed in highly satisfactory manner, as is
shown by the report printed for your in
formation.
Ip this connection, it is my province to in.
form you OF the death of Gen. Kershaw.
The grand old hero passed away before he
had hardly begun the work to which he
was assigned blythe unanimous voice of the
last Legislature, namely, "the preparation
OF brief history Of the part taken by the
various commands from this State in the
great civil war"
In this connection, it is your province
to.or have the Governor appoint'some suit
able person to carry ou this important
work. 1t Will not do 10 delay, because
every year more and more Of those who
wore the grey are crossing over the river
to rest under the shade" along with Jack
son, Lee eand the other great leaders ;
and unless these annals are prepared
soon the story will never be written with
that degree Of sympathy and feeling that
a comrade can only give it.
1t is natural transition from the re-
cords and history Of the Confederate war
to the work of the records commission,
which was charged with the duty of OBJ.
tanning from the British museum documents
relating to our colonial history. This work
has been com pleted, and we have the inval-
liable data in manuscript, from which to
write the true history OF the hardy pioneers
who laid the foundations of our common
wealth. cannot recommend their ublica-
tlon al this time, because it is matter which
can wait; pat as they have cost large sum
OF money, think they should be bound and
deposited, in the vaults Of the treasury for
safe fekeeping, and recommend a small appro-
priation for that purpose. When provision
is made for the publication Of the Confederate
records, which must be in year or two, we
may confidently expect that these will be
printed also.
CONCLUSION.
A few words in conclusion and I have done
Nine years ago / began the agitation of Ger.
upbuilding Of The agricultural interests.
Without intending 1t and almost before I
knew IT, things had shaped themselves into
a political movement, directed 20 reforming
oh n n.1r YNU rrSon 7folo fr,; MI.
pie were In restless and dissatisfied ccndi.
tiOn, and as year after year their Just de-
mands were ignored, and the oligarchy con.
trolling the State government grew more
ard more insolent IN refusing to recognize
proper reforms, the feeling Of resentment
grew stronger and stronger, and the move.
ment gathered impetus. BY 1899 there was a
and the retirement OF all Old leaders. An
uatried man, fresh from the plow and with.
out any experience whatever in public af-
fairs, was elected Governor. had foreseen
would have to endure, severe adverse crit.
cism and most malignant and slanderous
warfare. Whether was prophet or not the
history OF the past four years will tell. The
executive mansion" was travelled in 1890
and the cam paign of 1892. in which 1 asked
the people tor a Vindication and a vote of
confidence, can be best described as a tri.
H. u
2,U00of the white men in this State marched
at my back to show their determination that
Democrcy in Soath Carolina meant the rule
Of the majority, and that the people were
determincr TO govern themselves.
Since have been chief magistrate of South
Carolina nave had more complex questions
Of grave consequence to deal with, have been
confronted with greater problems pressing
for solution, than have marked the civil his
Tory of the state during all the balance of its
existence. In the discharge Of my Official
duty have known but one rule, the welfare
of the people and the honor of the State. l
have defended its honor and dignity TO the
best of my ability. When question would
arise have asked myself, "Is this good for
the State? Is it right?' And when my con.
science has approved have moved forward,
without regard to consequences.
I had no selfish motives in accepting the
leadership and running for Governor. /
have worked harder for the State than ever
worked for myself. ] take this opportunity
Of expressing my gratitude to the people for
the love they have shown me and the conf.
dence which they have always displayed
That love and confidence and clear con-
science have been my shield from the darts
OF envy and malice which have been thrown
SO relentlessly, and leave the Office with the
consciousness Of having discharged my duty
as saw 1t, and an absolute confidence that
the Just historian Of the future will sustain
my good name and give due credit for those
the people, end sustained by them, have ac-
complished. / must also thank my coadju.
tors in the State House for their uniform
courtesy and jealous cooperation. Without
their active help l must have oft times
failed.
/ am glad to be relieved Ct the burden,
which has pressed upon me at times with a
weight which no man living can conceive
who has not been similarly situated
With charity towards my enemies, who
have hated me, know not why. with love
and gratitude to my thousands OF friends,
return my commission to the people who
gave it, proud Of the consciousness that
most of those who put ME in uffice are Still
my staunch supporters, while have wrung
from NY enemies at least respect My record
as Governor Is made.
What is writ is writ,
Would it were worthier.''
Respectfully.
B. r. TILLMAN, Governor.
BY WAY OF explain ALTON.
A Postscript Amendment to the Ms