The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-10


but have endeavored to do what I.
considered my duty.
Ny experience in the enforcement
of this law has convinced me that GER
tain changes are necessary for the
mutual interests of all concerned.
While I believe that special officers
are necessary to prevent violations,
and that such officers should be paid
by the COUNTIES. also think that these
officers should be selected by local au-
thorities and be under their direction
and control.
I, therefore. recommend that in fu
ture this course be adopted, and trust
you will so amend the law. The law,
as it now stands, Will give rise to Sc
rious complications, and these should
be avoided as much as possible.
Cur Public School System.
The annual report Of our state ,Su-
perintendent of Education was
promptly sent to me, and the thor
ough manner in which this most i'm
portant subject has been treated in
c,udes some very gratifying state
ments. It cannot be urged too often
that we have no more responsible
duty than is involved in the full and
complete development of our educa-
tional system Not only does this
mean the proper training for highest
citizenship, but it means also that
South Carolina must and shall keep
pace with the advance made through
out our country in educational mat
ters.
Better schools, more Of them and
school Improvement generally, from
the smallest old field schoolhouse to
the last detail of our largest institu-
tons. these should command our time
our personal attention and our money
It was matter Of sincere regret to
SNSANS@S1"AN
discussed at your last. session did not
become a law. While I believe that u
schoolhouse should be within the
reach of every child in South Carolina
I also believe that all children between
the ages Of eight and twelve years
should be required to attend school
for a certain number Of months dur
ing each year, The distance from the
to which this law should
apply, is, for the present, a matter
for your consideration. The States
which have not adopted conpulsory
educational laws are today the excep-
tons, and I feel that South Carolina
cannot longer afford to delay in this
matter. I recommend that You again
give this your consideration, with the
hope that you will pass a law meeting
the requirements of the situation.
Of Agriculture, Commerce
and Immigration.
In my recommendation asking for
the establishment of this department,
to be in charge of a State Commis-
sioner, 1 was firmly convinced Of the
necessity for such official action on
the part of the State. have con-
stantly kept in close touch with what
has been done, and with this expe-
rience I am more firmly convinced
than ever Of the absolute necessity
for this work.
South Carolina, as you know, was
the first southern State to establish
such Department., and this has
widely advertised our resources. It
has been the aim of Commissioner
Watson to establish the work on Vast
ing foundations, and I believe he has
done so.
The report Of Adjutant and Inspec-
tor General Frost sets forth clearI>
and concisely the condition and needs
of our National Guard. It shows that
we have 1,7S6 enlisted men. including
officers, and it is pleasure for me-
to say that from my own observation
the efficiency OF this military organi-
zation is increasing each year
The State Hospital fer the Insane
is the most important charitable insci
tuition conducted by the STATE ana the
annual report Of the
and board of regents
presents striking facts. The superin-
tendent regrets that the growth Of the
Hospital ana the demands made upon
Il continue 20 exceed the limitations of
the institution, both as to accon2:no-
datons and means of support. Dur
ing the past thirty years the popula
ton of the asylum has quadrupled,
while the appropriation has been only
doubled, and. in addition to this. food
s1uffs have increased 25 per cent in
cost.