The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-09
THE RETIRING GOVERNOR
MAKES MANY RECONNIEN-
DATIONS.
He Touches Lightly on the Dispensa-
ry, But Comes Out Strong ON I'm
Observation-Disclosures An Increase
in the Salary of State Officers From
Governor Down.
(Rv w. II. McCaw.l


Columbia, S. c., Jan. S.-Governo1
D. c.. Heyward's fourth AID last an
nual message to the legislature was
read in both branches of the general
assembly today shortly after the rolls
of the new legislature had been called
on the first day Of the session The
retiring governor being a man Of
rarely attractive personality and able
as well as very popular among all
factions and classes throughout the
State, the reading Of the message was
followed with the closest attention at
both ends Of the capitol.
1t has been predicted by many Of
the governors friends that in spite
of his mild manner and his conservar
tive ways that this being his last
shot at it he would be particularly
rasping toward the dispensary situa-
ton. AS a matter Of fact the mes
sage deals very mildly with the sub
tect. He strongly points out the need
Of change in the law, but afterward
contents himself with renewing form
er recommendations as to changing
the methods Of making purchases and
leaves the matter to his successor,
Governor Ansel, VINO will be inaugu-
rated along with other new State
officers on January Is.
About 1,5OO words of the message
of 5000 words are devoted to the
subject of immigration, which re-
ceives twice as much attention as
any other subject. Governor Hey
ward points to the splendid work ac-
complished by Commissioner Watson
in an uncharted field, stresses the nee
e.ssity of the State being liberal to-
ward the department just at this
time, Celebrates upon the Importance
in business way Of making the
work of the department a continued
success and felicitates upon the fact
that all legal tangles have been taken
out at Washington. He asks that the
present immigration law Of the State
be amended so as to allow the depart
ment to bring in North Italians and
Greek farmers, and urges an appro-
priation of $4,000 as absolutely
necessary to support the department,
which now gets only $4,000 out side
Of salaries.
To remedy the unequal and there
fore unjust assessments due to lax
work recommends doing away with
the present State board of equaliza-
ton Of one member from each Of the
Al counties in favor of a board Of five
to be appointed by the governor and
the senate, two Of the board to travel
over the State on salaries and fix as
sessments finally so as to make them
uniform. He thinks that on a so
per cent. bcs;~ -',e tax values would
be 1855, 5,O0O,O,1 SID of only $780,
100000.
Governor --,s.--:d feels that he
can now gracefully recommend rails
ing the salary of the chief executive,
which is $500, about half as much
as he has found it necessary to spend
on living expenses. He also recon-
mends raising the salaries Of the
circuit and supreme court judges and
the State officers. The latter get ST.
800. circuit judges get $3.50 and
supreme judges $4,000 with no pro-
vision for travelling expenses.
All the State institutions Of learn
ing are commended for good work,
but it is recommended that the sala-
ries of professors be made equal be-
tween the several institutions. The
governor finds pleasure in the fact
that the average pay Of the wi.i.e
CodCneT= Ill lIS puUllC SSAiOOA AAesS -
creased to $3.50 for the scholastic
term as against s1SS.s1 in 1902.
The passage of compulsory edu-
cation law is urged, and it is argued
this will largely solve the vexed child
labor problem.
The governor recommends passing
the Virginia law making attempt at
rape punishable by death, as a step
toward solving the lynching problem.
He also asks that provision be made
for rural police.
For the Jamestown exposition $12,-
OOo more is asked, as the $4,000 ap-
propriated last year precludes a State
building.
In order to make room for the Of
fcers for departments created with
in the past few years it is recon-
mended that temple Of justice be
erected on the capitol grounds for
the supreme court and it's library.