The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-01-14
only member absent.

President Pro Tem-Senator John
6. Sheppard.
Reading Clerk-Mr. W. II. Stewart.
Sergeant-at q rms-Mr. J. +. Schum-
The following appointments made by
Lieut.. Gov. elect Sloan were then an
nounced:
Assistant Clerk-R. NJ. McCoWn.
Journal. Clerk-Tillman Bunch.
Bill Clerk-Henry D. Butler.
The appointment of the regular
standing committees was announced.
Senator Manning is chairman OF the
Claims Committee and q member OF
several others.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
Governor McSveeney's last annual
message was read:
The Governor states that the general
condition OF the State is most salts
factory, and material prosperity IS to
be seen everywhere. He calls atten-
tion to the fact that the State IS living
beyond It means, and urges the as
sembIy to make the income and the ex-
pense bill fit each other. He urges
tax assessment on the actual value
of property, as commanded by the cen
stitution, that varying percentages IN
each county works injustice, and
that the constitution providing basis,
it would not be proper to make any per
centage below that legal. He urges
the adoption Of his last years recon-
mendat2on of township boards of as
SCISSORS.
He speaks at length on the matter
of road improvement, IN view OF the
extension Of the rural mail service.
We need both more education along
the line of road building, and we need
more cash to do the work necessary.
If we depend on the commutation tax
alone our roads will constantly be 60
ing backwards. We must also have a
property tax for road building, which
would make those who would derive
benefit from good roads, all contribute
to the road building, that is the towns
and the railroads. The chain gangs
ought to be used to make the moro
permanent parts of the roads, and they
ought to be put to work building per-
nanent roads out in every direction
from the county seat, if only few
| miles each year were built.
The chapter on education is long
and earnest. He views this matter as
of the utmost Importance. By educa-
ton the wage earning capacity OF a
community is increased. Where the
idle and ignorant people can be sup
ported by a given piece of land, thirty
or forty thrifty and intelligent people
can find support. All wealth has its
basis in Intelligence. Compulsory
education is urged. We need not fear
for the negro. He is getting all the
education which is provided now, and
could get no more under compulsory
education. Such law cannot in
terfere with the rights of the parents,
because no parent has the right to
make slave of his child. Every boy
and girl has a right to the opportuni-
ties afforded.
He favors a direct appropriation for
the public schools of at least as much
as is given the colleges
To meet the alarming exodus from
the country to town, home schools for
girls and farm schools for boys, as re-
commended by the superintendent Of
education, is suggested. Each county
could devote 2 mills for the establish
ment and maintenance of such schools
and the money would be richly invest
ed. A new epoch would be inaugural
ed in the social and industrial life Of
the community. It is suggested that
the school of pedagogy be given some
financial advantage in the state. The
proposition to devote $1,000 to the
establishment of post graduate scholar
ships in the South Carolina college for
graduates of other colleges in the
state and stimulus to higher learn
ing.
The various state colleges are shown
to be doing excellent work and recon-
mendation is made that the appropria-
tions asked for be granted.
The section on child labor is strong.
The question must be met and better
now than later. There is only one
way to solve it and that is on the
side Of justice and humanity.
He does not favor the pardoning
board, which cannot do more than re-
commend, which recommendation, at
last, leaves the responsibility Of the
pardon with the chief executive. lie
makes no recommendation as to the
new mansion but pats the legislature
in possession Of the facts anG sugges-
tions from time to time discussed in
the press. He says that the need Of a
more convenient and modern mansion
is apparent.
AS to special courts it is shown that
the privilege has been abused to the
cost of the state; the special court be-
ing asked for as a necessity and the
regular term following it being With
out business. The dilatoriness of the
attorneys is most to blame for the de-
lays of tie courts. The same eight
circuits, however. are expected to do
tie work now that the population of
the state has doubled and the counties
greatly increase from the time that the
provision was made.
He endorses the recommendation OF
,&ro13or 0oDoral that each