The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-01-28
:Legislative Melange:

Governor Hayward on Lynchng.
In his annual message to the gener-
al assembly Governor Hayward called
attention to the frequent occurrence
of lynchings in this state. The legis-
lature had been in session only a few
days when lynching occurred at
Reevesville, Dorchester county. Gov
ernor Hayward sent the follow
ing message to the general assembly
recommending the enactment of spe'
cial legislation in reference to lynch
ings:
I'm my annual message to your hon
orable body reference was made to
lawlessness in our state. the frequent
occurrence of lynchings being dealt
with particularly. The necessity Of
respect being paid to the law by civ
ilized communities was urged in this
connection. You. the lawmakers, had
not been assembled here week when
another evidence Of this lawless sIir-
it is given in the lynch:ng at Reeves
Vile The governor is popularly cred
tied with the power to prevent or pun
ish these outrages against the state.
In reality he is practically powerless.
When notified, be may sometimes
Illustrate the mob by the employment
of troops, but when the crime Las
been committed his hands are practi-
cally ted. The meager rewards he
has been empowered to offer out of
his contingent fund have proven lnet-
fectual, and this is as far as he Is per-
mitted to go. In the meantime the
spirit of lawlessness is unchecked.
Any band of lawless men may feel
secure in taking the life Of a fellow
being on almost any pretext. This de-
plorable condition ought to be rene
died. To compel greater respect, the
proper respect, or the majesty OF the
law, I recommend the enactment OF
special legislation in reference to
lynching, that the great responsibility
of officials directly charged with en-
forcing the law be brought home to
them. and that more effectual meas
ures be taken for the apprehension
of persons who take the law N their
own hands. In lieu of some such leg
islation. 1 suggest that the governor
be provided with an adequate fund
for the purpose Of suppressing lynch
ing, a fund that may be used in Offer
ing suitable rewards or in obtaining
evidence against lynchers in such
manner as may be deemed best.
sincerely regret the necessity for this,
and I am not desirous of additional re-
spcnsibilities, but I will not shirk any
duty that the general assembly may
see fit to impose for the welfare and
good name of South Carolina
Officials Elected by Legislature.
The chief interest in the legisla-
ture's session Thursday centered in
the elections for various Offices to be
filed by the joint assembly. The hrst
election was for associate justice OF
the supreme court, Justice Woods haV-
ing been elected to fill an unexplfed
term. He was the only nominee anu
his election was unanimous.
The next election was for two dl-
rectors of the penitentiary. John o..
Wingo. of Greenville. and D. B. Peu-
rifoy, of Saluda, were elected succeed
ing Messrs. Love and Mann.
The next electio.. was for state IL
brarian. Only one ballot was neces-
sary Miss Laborde, the incumbent,
being reelected
Next came the election OF dlspen-
sary commissioner to succeed n. n.
Crum. Senator Raysor, OF Orange
burg, nominated W. o. Tatum, Orange
burg. There were no other nomlna'
tons and Mr.. Tatum was unanimous
" elected. The term is for two years.
The greatest interest centereo III
the next election, that being for CHAIR
man of the board of dispensary dlrec-
tcrs. Representative Kibler nominal
cd H. H. Evans. of Newberry. Rep
resantative Jeremiah Smith nomlnat'
ed John A. McDermott, OF Horry. les
vote resulted in the election or MI
Evans, beng SO to Sc.
Two members of the dispensaEs
hoard were next balloted for. Sena'
tor Harden nominated }. B. Wvlle'~ ..
Chester: Senator Sharpe nominatea
John Bell Towel, of Lexington; Sen
ator Pydrick nominated l.. W. BoyKin'
OF Kershaw; Mr.. Glover nominated r. r.
II Walker, of Barnwell. The resul'
was: Wylie, 70; Towel, s5; Boykln
81: Walker, g.. So on the first oallot
Messrs. Towel and Boykln WEI
elected.
Clemson scholarships Discussed.
The day in the house OF representa-,
tives was dull, Saturday, merely loca'
measures being passed. The only ais
cnssioa of the day.was on u. y. r1et