The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-17
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
A Lengthy Document With
out Striking Features.
SUPPORTS TIE DIsPENsARY
SYSTEM AND SUGGESTS
CERTAIN cHANGEs.

CERTAIN CHANGES.
Tue 6rst message of Governor NJ.
B. McSweeney. which was read 10 the
senate and house of representatives,
5000 after they assembled 90 Tuesday.
is quite a lengthy document. but is
without single striking feature
The introductory portion has refer
ence to che death of Gov Ellerbe ADD
the incumbeat's succession to the Office.
Then follows review of the Industrial
progress of the State during the past
yea. rnd the evidences of prosperity to
be observed 90 every baud
Referring to sbe fnancia! condition
OF the State be says .'T5e State
treasurer has beea able 20 meet all 0!
che obligations of the State prom pity,
and also the interest oo the public debt,
without the oecessity OF bavine 70
borrow any money or to overdraw his
accouat, aud still has 6 balance 10 the
treasury"
The Legislature is asked TO take
some action that will lead 70 the settle
neos of the claims of the State against
the Uaited States government aud the
claims of that government against the
State.
Az appropriation of 800. 600 is
recommended to provide pensions for
needy Confederate veterans
The legislature is appealed to to de
wise some means for securing uniform
return OF property for taxation. but 20
plan is suggested
The condirion of the States peoal
AMI charitable institutions is reviewed
and shown to be good.
The State colleges are reported 10
healthy condition AID doipg excellent
work.
TIE portion dealing with the dispeo-
sary is the mos; imporsass, snd 's as
foilo1s:
There is DO question ,bs: vii engage
your attention at tais session that gill
demand more carefe bought aud 10
which there Is more .Dteres, manifested
than that Of tie coatroi ci liqaor- You
will 20 doubt have several propositions
preseo;ed to you by d,fereos members
OF your oo6y for your consideration.
Il is important tha: ycu sb"uic take
hold Of the question ic posture sno
direos uaooer aud neet the Issue
squsrely Under the Cocssisu:icn o.
the State there are oaIv 'nree modes
allowed for dealing with this question.
The General Assembly nag license
persons or corpora:ioas TO manufacture
and sell and retail a.coholic ;quors CT
beverages within the S z;e or the
Geaeral Assembly uay proh!olf The
manufacture and sale std retail Of
alcoholic liquors and beverages wi hsn
the State ;" or it "uay aaihor'zv aoc
empower State cocuty aud muaicip2!
officers, ell or either, uades the author
ity eod 10 the uaU.e Of toe Sia'e, TO
buy 10 aoy market a.d retail ~is5'o
the State liquors aCd beverages 10 sucb
packages and qna"t,sle~, under such
rules aod regulatious as 1t ceeus exps
est." Ard in 90 case shall 1t be sold
ia less quantities tbau one half pint or
between surdowa acc sucr,se, and i
shall not be drunk on the premises
Neither can the General Assembly
delegate to auy mouic,psl corporation
the power to Issue licenses to sell the
same Uoder the laes alternative the
dispensary law is 10 force At the
present time and 10 view Of the era Of
material progress and development
upon which the State has entered | do
not believe it would be wl.e or good
business judgment to refer this question
to popular eiec.ioo Not that there
is any uneasiness or upwiIingoess to
trust the people, but it would have q
tendency to renew ssrifes aud bisteroess
and eogeoder bad feeling ard believe
would retard the progress o the State
10 i.s material development Much
of the prejudice that has heretofore
existed against the dispensary Law has
been broken down aud many of Us
mos. bitter opponents have come to
realize i,s good features and are ready
and williog aod anxious to see il,
improved abd enforced. With certain
amendments which seen necessary,
and which will commend themselves to
your good judgment, aud which sbould
be made at the present session. and
with the proper enforcement Of the law.
- ;a Aha hat anlntinn- Of The linnne