The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-12

tVhh LADOSlLtUh Is commented.
Columbia, S. c.. January 9.-Gover-
d. c. Hayward in his message !
submitted to the general assembly OF
South Carolina today expresses graft
fcation in being able t report an i'm
provement in the condition of the state
finances.
The onl~ cloud which throws :.
shadow over the state is the unsatis-
factory condition of the dispensary,"
said the governor, adding: mo one
can deny that he present atmosphere
surrounding the dispensary is a grave
reflection upon South Carolina, for it
is a state Institution and any odium
which attaches to it's operation neces-
sarily attaches to the state"
Fe regards the action Of those
ties voting to abolish dis%pensaries as a
reJuke to the mode of operation, rather
than a reputation of the system.
1T is imperative for the honor of
the state" says the governor, that
existing conditions should be immedl-
oICiH @lu LS oduo Ito L -
incumbent upon the general assembly
to give the matter most serious conS:d-
Grafton, at the same time renewing
recommendations for changes in the
dispensary law. The governor said it
should never be the policy to force
d~ispensaries upon counties or commun-
tiles desiring prohibition, and said
legislation should be enacted to .Ire9
the system of abuses which have crept
"In my last two messages" says TIE
governor, Il thought it my duty to
call your attention to the absolute ne
cesSity of adopting more stringent
measures for the proper enforcement
of law, and particularly for the pre-
ventiOn Of l~ynchings."
Speaking then of the special ppIo-
priation made for that purpose, at his
request, the governor says that while
he cannot report a single conviction he
is satisfied that the appropriation has
not been used in vain.
you are too familiar with the rec
ords of the past years." continued tue
governor. "You know how South Car
DINA, together with other or our sister
states has had reproach heaped upon
her on account of the dastardly deeds
of reckless, lawless and irresponsible
men. | have Just stated that no con-
victions have been secured, yet, in
spite of this fact, the realization that
the arm of the law would be involved,
that a determined effort would at least
be made to prevent its ruthless and
barbaric dissertation, that criminals
would be prosecuted for their crimes,
that the oroners inquest and the us
ual verdict would not be the end, but
only the beginning. These have pro-
tuced their effect and, as result bet
ter conditions have prevailed
He added that the mass OF peopla
at heart law-abiding have found nope.
Discussing the subject further the gov
ernOr said:
Had been able to report to you.
as had sincerely hoped to do,that oar
state. since your last session at least
had been spared the shame OF another
lynching-that for this period no hi
man life a been lawlessly and bar
Earouslv taken by an armed mob
would have been deeply gratified at
such a convincing evidence of the in
creased respect for law and order
While we have every reason for en-
couragement, the recent killing of two
defenseless negroes by an armed mob
Is lOI every 1CdooA W w
condemned. Such outrages are not only
fragrant and inexcusable, but they in
evitably lead to the disregard OF al
law, the cheapening of human life ano
the undermining of u very clvlllza'
ton. The lawless element must bt
made to realize the sancity Of human
life: they must be taught the teartu
consequences that follow the bllnt
passions and prejudices of mobs which
take the law into their own hands
human life must have every rlgh
guaranteed in our constitution, ant
Iawless and reckless ~violators must bt
prosecuted without fear or favor to tne
utmost limit of the law.
LAS long as | am governor OF tn
state. | shall Use my strongest endea
O for the suppression and punish
ment of hose who disregard GU laws
especially in the matter of ~lynchings.
The solicitors and sheriffs are ocIn
mended for the desire shown when ne
cessity arose for cooperation VT
the governor in the enforcement o
the law. Attention to the forthcomln;
jamestown Exposition and an oppro
priation is recommended by the COVE
nor for participation by South Carroll
ma as the governor regards the eXpoSi
tion as an event of no ordinary impGr
tance.
TNNTTC ANNOUTN(C