Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1907-01-23

State.
The Inauguration of Governor An
sci marks new era in the history OF
South Carolina politics, in that he
is the first chief executive in l5 years
who has essayed to oppose the State
dispensary system, which was enact
ed Is years ago under the leadership
of Governor B. R. Tillman, and which
has since been the leading issue IN
State politics.
Governor Ansef was elected on an
anti, ,dispensary platform, which car
ries with it the abolition of the State
dispensary system, leaving the ques-
ton 10 the counties tc decide for
themselves as between. county dis
pensaries and prohibition.
Should Abolish Liquor System.
In his inaugural address Governor
Ansel in;#no uncertain terms recon-
mended the abolishment of the pres
ent liquor system which, under State
control, has grown to be a $4,OOO,O0O
business.
Whether or not the dispensary will
be abolished depends upon the action
Of the General Assembly HOW in ses-
sion. In the House there IS an ad-
mitted majority in favor of its ex-
tinction, while in the Senate both
sides are claiming a majority.
Among other recommendations OF
the incoming Governor are the abol-
ishment of bucket shops, system of
rural police, liberal appropriations
for the. public schools, more drastic
for criminal assault upon
women, and liberal support of the de-
partment of immigration.
Governor Ansel in his address said,
in part:
Of the General Assembly
and Ny Fellow Citizens:
Z In obedience: to the will Of the peo-
pie Of this State, as expressed at the
ballot box, / am here to take the
solemn oath of office as Governor Of
South Carolina, and to assume the
duties of this high and responsible
position. go
/ am deeply grateful to the people
fer !liis manifestion of their con-
fi6anee; aud, when I survey the vast
responsibilities and duties connected
we lie same, / realize deepl my in
ability tosfully meet them. eeling,
,stbats shall have your flll
cooperation and support, and relying
upon your help at all times, ] assume
these duties and responsibilities, prom.
ising 10 give to them my best judg-
ment ana talents, and all the powers
with which the great God has endow-
ed me. e.
Education.
Our State constitution requires that
we shall "proyide a liberal system OF
free public schools for all children
between the ages Of six and 2l.'
Wien we consider the great power
and influence of an educated people
and that the strength and prosperity
of State depend ultimately upon the
intelligence of the average citizen
we: can realize the mind of the franz
ers of this organic law. 1t, therefore
behooves us to enact such laws as
will fully carry out this wise pro.
vision of the State constitution.
The State institutions of higher
learning are all well equipped and
are doing a great work in the edu-
cation of many of our girls and boys,
but these fortunate ones are but a
meagre 10 per cent. of those within
the school age; the other 90 per cent.
are wholly dependent upon the COM
mon schools.
1t is true that many of the graded
schools are kept open for nine months
in the year by the help Of the special
taxes voted upon themselves by the
tax payers of the particular school
district, but many of the small
schools in the rural districts are in
session but for three or four months
in the year. Realizing that most of
the children who attend these schools
are receiving from them all the school
advantages that they will ever get:
are We doing our full duty to them
Are we thus fitting them for all of
the duties of an intelligent citizen
ship7
We are building for the future and
we should see to it that we build
strong and well. You have no more
matter that will come be-
fore you and I recommend that lib
eral appropriations be made for the
common schools.
/ also ask your special attention
to and consideration of the establish
ment of high schools in connection
with and as a part of the free school
system of our State. Many children
will be able to attend the high school
who cannot attend State college
and many others will be better pre-.
pared for college after having attend.
ed the high school. 1t is step in the
direction of giving to the boys and
girls better opportunities in theil
school life and for making them bet.
ter citizens.
Liquor Question.
One Of the most important subjects
that you have before you for con.
sideration, gentlemen of the General
Assembly, is the liquor question
The people of the State have spoken
in no uncertain sound, and we can.
not mistake their meaning, that tho
State dispensary system must be alb.
olished and that there must be en-.
acted in its stead, law providing
for local county option as between
county prohibition and county dis,
pensaries.
In making my campaign this past
summer, one of the principal issues
before the people was the question OF
State dispensary or local option as
between county prohibition and coun-