The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-01-11

wieldly. Another objection is that
the various members naturally feel
that they represent their own coun-
ties, and not the State at large. 1t
would be wise, in my opinion, to re-
duce the membership of the State
Board, limiting it to five members,
these to be appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate. Two of
the members should devote their en-
tire time to this work, and should re-
ceive fixed salary and travelling ex-
pcnscS. These members should visit
the various counties, consult with the
auditors and local assessing officers,
should hear all complaints and should
regulate the equalization of all taxable
property in the state. The report of
; the Comptroller-Gen which will
be submitted to you at the proper time,
has been carefully compiled and mcr-
it's your most thoughtful considera-
ton.
immigration.
The most important consideration,
perhaps, which now has the attention
Of the people of South Carolina, is our
vigorous effort to get the tide of much
needed and carefully selected immi-
grafton turned directly into this sec
ton of the South, through our chief
seaport. What is far more important
also, IS the combined efforts to build
up our commerce, with Il saving of
thousands and thousands of dollars
annually to our exporters and impor-
ters, and giving promise to save to
our cotton and other raw material de-
mandcd abroad, the sums now being
/ paid in useless tribute to transporta-
tion lines having no interest whatever
i'll Southern development.
During the past six months your
Department of Agriculture, Commerce
Eand Immigration--though establish
ed less than three years ago--has un-
| dertaken the execution of carefully
prepared plans and has worked with
such vigor, energy and success to ac-
complish the desired ends, that ii has
succeeded III commanding the attcn-
ton, not only of this country, but the
attention Of the countries of Europe
also. This has placed South Carolina
| once more i'll the forefront aS a pion-
Ger leader IN movements affecting The
welfare Of the Nation. The bold. but
| carefully planned, operations of this
department have brought about the
handing down of decision in WASH
in@ton that clearly defines the pow
ers Of the State and puts lls--and our
sister Statcs--in Il position to move
ntclligcntly for that selected immi-
grafton that not only our own people
and the people of the South, but
which the people Of the entire couu-
try, have been demanding in vain
since the hordcs fundersirablcs pour
ing into our great ports of entry be-
gan to create what we have all rccog-
nizcd as problem.
In pursuing the policy, which has
been extremely difficult in execution,
of setting the pace of securing care
'tiif "Si''ttu lhiiIISIuti'ii HiltlJ 1T IL
and the same time, bringing n'""l y
loIg-dreamed Of development OF our
commerce, your department., before
moving, in addition to the many pre-
cautions taken to protect the good
name of the State from possible con
flicts with Federal and international
laws, also gave great care for the well
fare and protection Of our native Ia
Dor.
1t had been alleged that the depart
ment would be used by the financially
stronger class Of our citizens to the
injury of our weaker class. During
the year it became absolutely neccs-
Sary, in order to keep in operation
many of our manufacturing plants, to
secure additional labor to operate idle
machinery. The condition was such
that unless some relief could be OBJ
tanned, the owners of the properties
would suffer, and, in time, the opera
tives would suffer also. Even facing
these conditions, no move was made
| to give the needed aid until the assur-
ance had been filed that all efforts to
secure the necessary labor had been
made with no prospect Of result, in
this and adjoinging states, or in 9TH
er portions Of the United States. No
dol 10 ln II