Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-01-13
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
An Able Paper Setting Forth Sono'' :
tions In South Carolinas =

Governor Heyward's annual message
to the general assembly was reao "
the house and senate last TUESDAY. III
1t the affairs of the state are discussed
in straightforward business-hke
manner, and there is no hesitation on
the part of the governor in making
such recommendations as he considers
proper. The most important recoin-
mendations probably are with resaru
to compulsory education, taxation the
dispensary law and the increase In
the existing number Of judicial cir
cults. l
Taking up the subject OF nnalice
the governor tells the general assem-
bly, that the government expenditures
have exceeded the income from All
sources each year since 1900, untii
now there is a deficit amounting to
1866, He calls attention to the
constitutional requirement Of the levy
of taxes sufficient to pay the expenses
Of the government, and remarks tnat
If the general assembly had fulhilea
its duty the present situation would
be different. .M
Attention is directed to the law
fixing a nominal penalty for faiiure
to pay taxes. The governor thinks
the penalty should be at least III per
cent. AS further means OF fSmcreas-
'ng the efficiency Of the tax machinery
1t is suggested that the Office OF au-
ditor be taken out Of politics. The
constitution provides that auditors De
appointed; but under conditions that
have developed they are virtually
elected by primary. 1t is suggested
that oil parties be prohibited from
nominating auditors so the governor
4 may be free to select these omcers
with view to their efficiency.
The governor says that notwith-
standing the splendid educational ia
cilities existing throughout the state
there are many parents who refuse to
allow their children to go to school,
and they should be forced to do SO.
He recommends the passage OF a law
providing for compulsory school at
tendance in the case Of all children
between the ages of and IL years.
The work Of the commissioner OF
agriculture, commerce and immigra-
ton Is reviewed with discriminating
encouragement. Commissioner Watson
is commended. for the good work he
has done up to this time, and In view
of the limited appropriation that has
been made for the use Of this de-
partment, 1t is suggested that the
commissioner be exempted from the
provisions of law prohibiting the use
Of passes by state officers. M
| The dispensary law Is discussed at
Length and certain important changes
are suggested. II Is proposed that the
powers Of the state board of dispen-
sary commissioners be somewhat cur
tailed as to the purchase Of liquors,
and that the salaries Of these Officers
be raised from $400 per annum to ST.
500 per annum. 1t is suggested also
that each commissioner be required to
give bond in the sum Of SIC, 900. There
are also some recommendation in
tended to insure the purchase of IL
quors for the use Of the state from the
lowest possible bidders, and to dinlin-
ish the opportunity for graft. OF
course, the governor does not intimate
that there is anything wrong IN the
business as at present conducted, but
he wants to put a stop to criticism.
He does not hesitate to say, however,
that the tax amendment to the Brice
law is just and proper; that counties
which refuse to participate IN the
LIQUOR business should pay special
tax to enforce the dispensary Law. =,
A recommendation that was made
last year for the erection Of two ad-
ditional judicial circuits is reiterated.
The general assembly Is reminded
of the result Of the vote on biennial
sessions last summer, and the govern
or does not hesitate to say that all
needed legislation can be provided
with biennial sessions. In this connec-
tion, however, he suggests the neces-
sity Of extending the terms Of state
officers from two years to four years,
and providing that no state ofiicer
shall thereafter serve more than sin
gle term.
1lo of IA
fact that in his message Of last year
he recommended the enactment of
LEGISLATION that would enable counties
so desiring to issue bonds for the I'm
provement Of public roads. No atten-
tion was paid to the former recon-
mendation and necessity for such leg
islation Is reiterated. "a
The message discusses a number of
other subjects Of less Importance than
those referred to but all well worth
place in such an admirable idocu-
ment, and concludes as follows:
In as brief space as possible Ihaye
endeayored to give you information
concerning the most important DEPART
ments of our state governments and
have made for your considerationsuch
recommendations as appear to me to
be necessary and important. I rejoice
to add that progress and prosperity
continue to bless US, with the uplift-
ing influences that come from the ear
nest labors Of a united people. The
welfare of South Carolina Is latrelv
in your keeping and much hope for
her future will depend upon the re-
suits of your deliberations: Therewas
once a temple erected with no sounds
of the tools Of labor, with no coafu- |
sion Of haste and disorder, without |
noise and strife. Imbued with his
spirit. with united zeal and devotion
may you quit yourselves like men. inay
vour deliberations add to the upbuild. |
ing of our commonwealth; may lhey
contribute to the reign Of law andjor.
der, to the peace and happiness ofour
people, and to the dignity and honor