The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-15

Gentlemen Of The General Assembly:
The organic law Of the State makes
it the duty Of the chief executive to lay
before the general assembly at each
annual session a review Of the different
departments Of government, and to
make such recommendations and sug-
gestions as may seem to him wise and
proper.
The past year has been a remarkable
one in many respects. Many stirring
events have marked the record. The
tiuers Of the soil in many sections OF
oor State have not had the usual re-
turns for their Iabors, and with many
of them the present year is going to be
one Of >ridce and self denial. and
yet they are looking hopefully to the
future and not complaining. The de-
veIopment and progress Of the State
IN manufacturing enterprises goes
steadily forward. I sometimes fear that
these enterprises are being built up at
the expense Of the rural districts. It
has been largely among the owners and
tillers Of the soil that the sinews Of
strength in our State in times Of peril
and Of trouble have rested The
strength Of a State and the patriotism
OF a people rest with the home owners
Whatever can be done by wise legis-
latien to encourage home owning will
be so much contributed to the patriot
ism Of our State and to the stability Of
our institutions.
Since your last session the nation has
been bowed down beneath the weight
Of grievious sorrow, caused by the
dastardly blow which struck down its.
chief executive, a blow aimed not at
him but at you and every law abiding
citizen Of the land. and at the free
government Of which he had been
chosen by the American people as the
head. It was blow at organized So
ciety and the victim was only an in
cident a sentiment which gives rise
to an act like this is one Of the dan
gers which threaten our nation. And
yet, at no time has the stability OF
our form Of government been more
clearly shown than at this critical
period, for the life Of no one man,
however exalted and beloved he may
be. is necessary to the continued pros
perity and welfare Of the people. and
the fair trea tment given the murderer
but served to show to his associates
the efficacy and the dignity, and the
necessity for the preservation OF that
law which he sought to overthrow.
Within the past year three of your
own nembers-Hon. Z. 3. RagSdale,
Of Fairfield; Hon. G. ]. Redfearn, Of
Chesterfield, and Hon. J. 3. Bates. Of
Barpwei3-have been called from their
fabors here on earth and have gone 20
join the innumerable hosts on the other
shore.
There will be many matters Of i'm
portance to command your considera-
ton, and in all questions coming before
you, you should always bear in mind
the interests Of the. people. whose ser
wants you are. To this end you Will
have my aid and cooperation.
There have been two lynchings in the
State during the past year, both OF
which are to be regretted and would
have been prevented if possible, but so
long as fends in human form continue
to commit outrages upon our women
they may expect swift and summary
justice, and I doubt if emergency
courts or any other remedy Will stop
the administration Of such justice When
1t, is known the right fend is found.
The only way to stop the punishment is
TO stop the crime.