The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-01-10

stroyed. I am gratifed that you ap-
pointed g. commission to make a
thorough examination Of this subject,
to report at this session.
The commission has been actively
at work during the year securing all
available INFORMATION relative to the
practical needs OF this important sub
ject. This report have not yet seen,
but believing. that the commission will
present valuable facts and practical
recommendations for the protection and
Development Ses our fish and oyster
interests, trust that YOU will take the
proper steps to carry these recomnlen-
dationS into effect.
~ biennial Sessions.
4 At the general election of 1904 an
amendment to the constitution pro-
viding for biennial sessions Of the gen.
eral assembly was submitted to the
people. and was adopted. A commit
tee was appointed from both houses
s at your last session to report what
amendments to the constitution and
statutes of the State will be neces-
sary4 and proper to provide for such
sessions. I trust you will act upon the
report Of this committee, in order that
the amendment may become effective
rs SOON as possible.
~ believe that biennial sessions will
afford all the necessary legislation.
and the people of the State have ex-
pressed themselves In favor Of the
( change. In this connection renew
my recommendation of last year that
State officers be elected for a term Of
four years, not allowing them to sue
ceed themselves. Upon further refec-
ton, I would not include the offices of
comptroller general and State treasurer
I in this recommendation with reference
TO reelection to their respective offices,
Incendiary Fires.
The recent law requiring the comp
troller general TO Investigate incendiary
fires has not proved satisfactory, and
no doubt this officer will suggest neces-
sary changes to you. Since the enact
ment or this law have, in many cases,
refused to offer rewards, believing that
1t would be proper for me to have the
required legal Investigation made.
Considerable expense has been incurred
in copducting these investigations and
experience conyinceS me that this has
been an hunwise expenditure. Many
fres of Supposed ineendiary origin can
easily be traced ito some other cause,
and in this connection beg to call at
tention to the fact that, the State Of
New York has law requiring all
dealers 4 to sell nothing but safety
matches. I recommend your favorable
consideration Of such a law, especially
as safety matches sell at about the
same price as the other variety.
Industrial School and Reformatory.
The bill to establish an industrial
school and reformatory was defeated
at the last session of your body be-
cause you failed to agree upon minor
differences which developed during the
discussion of this measure. trust that
at this session these differences may be
adjusted and the school established,
for feel that much good would be ac-
complished by such a refermatOry.
To the South Carolina Federation Of
$ Women's Clubs much credit is due
for the active interest they have shown
in this matter.
Confederate Battle Flags.
During the past year I received a
number Of Confederate battle flags,
which were returned by the war de-
partment in accordance with an act Of
) congress. These flags requested the