Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1905-01-18

Iem, anu u place oil afoiiop'S ASSN.
restraints around the sale and use OF
liquors.
: The purpose of the Dispensary should
he, not to increase, but to curtail and
control, the sale Of liquor, and this pur-
pose should always be kept in view. AS
.. business institution, it should be
placed as far as possible above crlt1-
cism, and its restrictive regulations
Should be rigidly enforced. The man
agement Of the. .Dispensary has always
been the subject of more or less crlti-
cism. During the past few months thls
criticism has been made frequently, and
with the greatest freedom. 1t is neces-
sary that the system should be made
as business-like as possible, and to this
important end / shall principally direct
my recommendations.
&c.. STATE COMMISSIONER.
The. State commissioner should, in
my judgment, be.the officer whose du-
ty it should be, to purchase all supplies
for the Dispensary. He should be re-
quired to make contracts. not for any
specified amount Of liquor, but for
such supplies as may be actually re-
ouired, such requirements to be de-
termined by the Commissioner, based,
as far as passible, upon orders re-
ceived by him from dispensers, ap-
proved by the County Boards. and filed
with him thirty days before the ad-
vertisement for bids by that officer.
REMOVAL OF DIsPENsARIES.
At your last session there was en-
acted a law giving to counties which
desire prohibition the right by ma
jcrity vote to close their dispensarles,
and upon the taxable property Of all
counties so voting it was required
that there be levied an annual tax
Of one-half Of one mill. this tax to be
expended by the Governor in enforcing
the law, should the local authorities
fail to do so. Objection has been
made to this law on account OF the tax
imposed, it being contended that it
is in the nature of a penalty, its effect
being to deter the people from voting
for the removal Of Dispensaries.
do not agree with this view. II
prohibition be substituted for the Dis:
pensary law. then prohibition Should
be enforced, and when this cannot be
done through the sentiment of the peo-
pie, expense must certainly be incur
red. Tho counties now pay for the
enforcement of each any every law
and it is not fair to expect counties
which maintain -itha--Dispensary to
take the profits accruing to The Gener-
al School Fund. to defray the expenses
of the enforcem ant7 Of the law In a
county which. pays nothing. Besides
this, the lax is By no means excessive;
it can be expended Only when necessl-
t. requires; and then solely in an Ell
fort to accomplish tha purpose for
which the people voted.
STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE IN
SANE.
The governor recommends liberal
appropriations for this institution, and
speaks in words of praise of the good
work it has done and is doing.
PENITENTIARY.
In reference to the condition Of the
Penitentiary. would refer you TO the
reports of the Superintendent and the
Board of Directors. During the past
two wears | have availed myself OF
opportunities to observe this insttu-
ton closely, and am glad to say that
it. is excellently managed. The con-
victs are vel! treated, and the disci-
pline is equal to that of any similar
institution.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The excellent work of this board is
commended and it is recommended
that it's work be sustained by the leg
islature.
PENSIONS.
The largest appropriation made by
your body is for the care Of the Con-
federate Veterans. This amount seems
large when compared with the total ap-
preparation, but when viewed in anoth-
er light We cannot but feel that we
would like to do much more for the
old soldiers who in years that have
gone did so much for their State and
country. The total number of pen
sioners on the rolls this year was g.
554. and s197.3O9.42 was the amount
distributed among them. The law,
generally speaking. is working salts
factorily but in reference to certain
it is believed that i'm
provement can be made. and the
Comptroller General will specifically
direct your attention to the proposed
changes. Anything pertaining to the
proper care Of the veterans Of the
Confederacy will. am sure. have your
most thoughtful consideration. We
owe them deep ard lasting debt OF
gratitude, and care for those who, in
their old. age and declining days. need
this care, should be. as !: is. a privi.
lege and one of the first duties Of our
people.
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
At your preceding session an
amedment to the Constitution provid-
ing for biennial sessions Of your body,
having been agreed upon, it was sub.
niitted to the qualified electors of the
State at the general election, ma
jority of whom voted in favor of this
Believeing as do. that
biennial sessions will afford all neces-
sary legislation. and will result in a
of expense, trust you
will ratify this vote in order that the
may become effective.
CONCLUSION.
In as brief space as possible | have
endeavored to give to you information
the most important depart
ments of our State Government, and
have made for your consideration such
recomm endations as appear 10 me to
be necessary and important. | re-
joice to add that progress and pros
perity continue to bless us. with the
uplifting influences that come from
the earnest labprs of a united people.
The welfare of South Carolina is large
ly in your keeping. and much hope for
her future will depend upon the results
OF your deliberations. There was
once temple erected with no sounds
of tools of labor. with no confusion of
haste and disorder. without noise and
strife. Imbued with this spirit. with
united zeal and devotion may you quit
yourselves like men; may your delib.
erations add 10 the upbuilding of our
Commonwealth; may they contribute