The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-01-13

not too late to prevent Our being left ont entirely, IF no mere can
be done, would it not be wise to erect a State. building, have this as
headquarters for a bureau of immigration, and thus reap some
share of the benefit of such an exposhion2 In another part of this
message recommend the establishment of a Bureau OF Commerce
and Immigration, and it seems to me that the duties of the COM
missioner could not be better inaugurated than for him to begin
this most needed work at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
recommend this plan for your favorable consideration.
FOREST PRESERVATION
While l do not desire you to think that L am looking up subjects
to bring to your attention, still there are some matters OF impor-
tance to the future welfare of our State which L cannot refrain from
urging upon your consideration Most important among these is
the subject OF our rapidly disappearing forests, which are, beyond
question, one of our great natural resources, and would S remain
with proper care and protection. AT present we are giving them
absolutely no attention, and i" the reckless waste continues with no
effort to replace them, the destruction will be complete, the loss
irrcparable. Our past nege i'll this. matter now makes it a neces-
shy that some systematic effort should be made regarding the pres
ervation of our forests. The destruction of forests is in large
measure responsible for continued lights, while, N the other
hand, it is claimed that the rapid an destructive floods, such as
that in the Pacolet valley last summer, are made more disastrous
because OF the clearing up OF the forests bordering these streams.
From a financial standpoint great interests are involved in his
matter, to say nothing of the many comprehensive blessings and ben
efts that are inseparably connected with the more material aspects
Of the case. realize the fact that perhaps not much can be at
tempted now, but L deem it wise that d beginning should be made.
and hence it is that | invite your consideration of this question.
A process of gradual protection and replenshment will bring
incaculable benefits not only to us, but to the generations that are
TO follow. The sooner y beoinrino is made the better for orr
people do not realize the value of the little timber that is left. In
many o III States and Ill most o the older countries the govern
mcnt takes al active interest in forest preservation, and until we
can do something better 1 would like to see Arbor Day observed
in every county in South Carolina, when trees would be planted
i'll parks, around public buildings and on every roadside. This
would be a beginning, and an important one, in the right direction,
and sincerely trust that we are now thus to inaugurate this i'm
portant work. In connection with this subject, should be glad
to see our State House grounds Systematically beautifed on some
artistic and developed plan. They are now we'll kept and the officer
III charge is interested and would glauy see that this improvement
is made.
THE FISH AND OYSTER INDUSTRY.
Another subject of equal Importance, and one which we have
allowed to drift into similar conditions, is the fish and oyster inter-
ests of our State. In my judgment it should be the policy of the
State to legslate upon this subject, with a view first to protect and
develop the industry, and, secondly, to make lit a source of revenue
to our State. The former consideration is most desirable and
necessary and the latter is practicable and just. Other States sim
iarly situated upon the coast derive large revenues from this source,
that OF Virginia being more than a quarter of a million dollars,
whhe Nlarylands yearly revenue is about a half million dollars.
With us, Beaufort county alone derives a revenue from this source,
while shipments ar annually made from the State aggregahng
several hundred thousand dollars, for which we receive no equiva-
lent, depicting and destroying the supply.
There is positively no reason why this condition Of affairs should
be allowed to continue, and : recommend that a license system, with
regulated fees, be adj pied, requiring all persons who fish or gather
oysters Tor market to procure such a license. Let it be distinctly
understood that this is to apply to those who go into this occupation
as a business, and not to those who engage in it for their own use
or pleasure. The fund derived from these licenses should be equally
divided between the State and the county where the licenses ar
granted. In my judgment this is equitable and will tend to the
better enforcement of the law. In addition to this, such a system
will be more efficient than any other plan in regulating and enforc-
ing the operations OF the law in regard to the CLOSED days" thus
observance Of such days.
There are now a number Of oyster cannerics in our State. doing
a large business, and, of course, these should be specifically included
in any license system. The conveying of oysters beyond the Dor
ders OF the State for canning purposes should be prohibited, and
this should, therefore, be included within the provisions of the Act.
Our present law allows one to reserve certain territory for the DUR
pose OF cultivating oysters, but affords no protection for this. If
we wish iii citizens to engage in this industry it is only Just that
they should be protected, and recommend that legislation with
this purpose i'll view be adopted.
AS have already said, this industry should be fostered and pro
tected, which is not being done, and, in addition to this, we should
receive iron 1t a substantial revenue. For these reasons iii S of great
Importance, and invite your careful consideration. trusting that
you Will enact laws with such purpose ill view.
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
a Bill to amend our Constitution, providing for biennial sessions
OF our General Assembly, at your last session was passed by the
Senate, and is now pending in the House. This Bill will no doubt
receive your careful consideration a. this session, and am SIRE that